Reassurance
"How long do you think it will last?" Remus asked, glancing from Sirius to Severus. The men had taken Harry and Draco to the playground, leaving Alyssa at Minerva's mercy.
Severus snorted. "Considering the amount of pink Minerva was planning on using to decorate, I suspect my sister will disappear within half an hour."
"Has she ever gone to a baby shower before?" Sirius asked, wondering where Alyssa would go to get away from Minerva.
"She went to Narcissa's," Severus replied, "But there is a difference between being a guest and being the center of attention."
"Which means she'll be coming back through the floo before everyone that Minerva invited shows up," Remus replied, smiling. Minerva was throwing the shower at her house, and it had taken him the better part of two days to convince Alyssa to go and to promise not to hex the older witch for her well-meaning meddling.
"If Minerva is smart, she will disconnect the floo after Alyssa has gone through," Severus said, smirking.
Remus just shook his head as Sirius laughed. He knew he'd be in for it when Alyssa got home, but he found the whole situation hilariously funny. He hoped that she would let him see the memory.
"Papa," Draco said, coming up to Remus from where he'd been playing with Harry, "There's an owl at the house."
Looking down the street, Remus saw the tawny owl sitting on the front porch railing. "I wonder who's sending us a letter now," Remus mused as Draco went back to the sandbox. "Watch Draco for me while I go grab the letter?"
"Sure Moony," Sirius said easily, "It might be important. Plus, you don't want the muggles to see the owl and get suspicious."
Remus only nodded, calling to Draco that he'd be right back before heading down the street to get the letter. He took it from the owl, fishing a treat out of the pocket of his pants and giving it to the bird. Sitting on one of the chairs on the porch, he looked at the letter, uneasily noting that it had the Ministry seal. They hadn't heard anything since the visit last week, and Remus had a feeling that this wasn't going to be good news.
Mr. and Mrs. Lupin,
There have been discrepancies in the reports I have received in regards to your care of Draco Malfoy. The first person sent to observe you, Mr. Addamson, was convinced that you were able to care for young Mr. Malfoy. Ms. Kingsley seconded that sentiment, however the woman who accompanied her from the British Ministry was quite adamant that neither of you have any idea how to raise a child. Minister Fudge and I have come to an agreement, and there is a visit planned within the next month. I will be the one conducting this visit, accompanied by Mr. Fudge, and at the end we will decide if you are satisfactory parents for young Draco. Regards,
Minister Hall
Remus read the letter through twice before the meaning sunk in. The British Ministry doesn't want us to adopt Draco because of my lycanthropy, and so far the American Ministry hasn't been able to stop them. Remus shook his head sadly as he sat on the steps. What will they do when our daughter is born? Will they try to take her from us too? Would they do that? If they're worried about the threat I pose, then there's no telling what they will do.
Distracted by his depressing thoughts, Remus didn't hear the floo flare as Alyssa came back through. She had snuck away while Minerva was welcoming the other guests, following a hunch that she was needed here. Looking at the distraught lycanthrope on the porch, she realized that she was right. Oh Remus, what's happened now?
Remus looked up as Alyssa rested a hand on his shoulder. "Back so soon Lyss?"
She shrugged. "You needed me for some reason, that's more than enough reason to flee that party. What happened?"
Remus wordlessly handed the letter to Alyssa, watching as her eyes flashed and her lips thinned.
"So the harpy is still trying to wreak havoc on anyone who she dislikes?"
"Because of me, they might take Draco away, and our daughter after she's born," Remus replied tonelessly, burying his face in his hands.
"They won't get Draco, nor will they take our daughter. They don't have any reason to remove her from our care, and the toad's excuses will come to light when Minister Hall visits. It will be fine Remus," Alyssa said, trying to pull Remus out of this black mood he settled into. What has gotten into him?
Remus stood quickly, turning to face Alyssa. "It won't be fine; why are you always convinced everything will be? They hate my kind, and will do anything to make my life miserable. Do you know how many papers you would have had to sign in Britain if you wanted to marry me, papers stating that you knowingly were marrying a beast that could kill you? We would have had to fill out an application to have children, so they can track the numbers of werewolf spawn. Do you have any idea what it's like to be shunned because of something you can't control?"
Alyssa quickly blanked her face, showing no emotion as she looked at her husband. "I knew exactly what I was getting into marrying you Remus; I did my research while still in Hogwarts. I married you because you were worth all of that hassle. And yes, I know very well how it feels to be shunned for no reason. The little girl in ratty dresses with greasy hair, no friends, a slimy Slytherin. The Dark Mark is feared even more than werewolves are Remus." She turned back to the house; there would be no use getting into a shouting match, and it was far too difficult to keep a tight rein on her anger. Damn hormones.
Remus blanched after he had finished his tirade; he never meant to say that, especially not like that. When Alyssa's face closed off, he could have smacked himself. He hadn't seen her don her mask in two years, and now he was forcing her to. What was she hiding? Sorrow, anger? Listening to her response made him feel worse. Alyssa knew all too well what it meant to be an outcast, and he had forgotten that. When she turned away, he was scared. This was their first fight, not just in their marriage but in their entire relationship. He grabbed her wrist, not willing to let this end on a bad note.
"What do you want Remus? I have a party to return to." Alyssa felt the hand on her wrist, but she wouldn't turn to face him. This was their first fight, and she wanted to leave before she said something she couldn't take back, if she hadn't done that already. She also worried that Remus was going to leave her, which meant she would do anything to avoid this conversation for a few hours.
"Lyssa, I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm just so worried…" Remus trailed off, unsure of what to say.
Alyssa sighed as she turned around. "I'm sorry as well; I shouldn't have snapped at you. I was just so worried that you would leave…"
"Never Lyss," Remus said, hugging her, "Never. You're stuck with me forever."
"Thank Merlin for that," Alyssa sighed, "Now why don't we go and join the others in the park? I think my absence won't be missed for a little while."
Remus just smiled, tucking the letter in his pocket as he followed his wife to the park. Yes, Umbridge and Fudge want to take Draco, but that won't happen. As long as they had Slytherin cunning backed by Gryffindor stubbornness, the Ministry didn't have a chance.