James and Mary were waiting at the waiting room for Remus to come.

And then from far they saw him.

'What were you thinking?' James shouted.
'I have planned this thing out.' Remus sat down.

James and Mary sat down on the seats opposite to him.

'What thing? This is way serious than you think.' James showed him the front page of the prophet.

Remus Lupin behind bars - Fleamont Potter Murder Case.. more than you thought?

'Ignore the prophet. I know what I am doing.'

'No, you are naive. Whatever deal you made with Orion is crap. Now, turn yourself out. Say you didn't have anything to do with this.'

'I can't do that. For that, I will have to turn Orion in.'

'So? What, you got some special bond with Orion Black going on?' James said harshly.
'James, I am doing this for all of you. I am just in here till before Christmas. That too, just in the waiting room - not an actual Askaban prison. Till then, Orion will find someone else to cover for him.'

'Listen, if he fed you some crap about protecting our families and your friends, then don't believe it. Orion Black is a bloodthirsty moron. I can't believe we are having this conversation.'

'It's just for a couple of weeks.'
'You make it sound like it's nothing. What if it goes more than that? Orion didn't sign any lease or anything. He's a fraud, Remus. Let's turn him in.' Mary said.

'He killed my father. He ruined Sirius' life. He tried to kill me.' James shouted. 'Does that mean anything to you? I am done with you. Rot in prison, for all I care.' James sighed walking away.

'Don't do this.' Mary said.
'It's for all of you.' Remus said.

'What about you? You make it sound like, you are unimportant. Well, guess what you are very important to me and I don't want to lose you. I love you, Remus.' Mary said.

Remus didn't say anything. 'Mary.'

'And if you even care about me, the slightest bit - you will turn Orion Black in at tomorrow's hearing.' She kissed his cheek lightly, then walked away without a goodbye.

Leaving Remus stand alone in the cold, starry December night.

Thinking whether he made a mistake.
***

'Sirius, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at school?' Walburga Black stopped him.

'Well, aren't we all supposed to be a cozy family who gets along with each other but things don't always go as they are supposed to.' Sirius retorted.

'Don't you dare talk to me like that, young man—'

'Stop it, will you? I won't take long. Where is he?'

'If you are looking for your father, he is in his study but he wouldn't want to be disturbed right now.'

'Well, I don't care what he wants.' Sirius said heading for his father's study.
He kicked it open.

'Sirius? What do I owe this pleasant visit for?' Orion grinned.

'What bullshit have you fed my friend?'
'I don't know what you are talking about.' Orion said raising his hands in mock surrender.

Sirius closed the door.
'Stop this or I swear things won't turn out as you expected.' He snarled.

'Ooh. Is that a threat? Because I don't take well to threats.' Orion grinned.

'No. It's a warning. And you better get your ass straight before it turns into a threat.' Sirius said.

'Since you have arrived so graciously, why don't we talk about more serious matters. Christmas is coming soon. But before that, I am awaiting your decision. The dark lord is getting annoyed by you, Sirius. You need to start to mature, now.' Orion said.

'If you are anywhere serious in me taking this deal with your so called dark lord, I expect you to be at tomorrow's hearing.'

'I am going to be at tomorrow's hearing but not because you asked to. Because I already had planned to. So, son want to join your mother and me for dinner? I am sure your unworthy presence won't be missed at hogwarts for a night.'

'Everyday, I wish for one thing. I wish you die so that I never have to look at that murderous face of yours.'

'Like father, like son.'

Sirius just shook his head and left banging the door in Orion's face. Orion's laugh was faintly heard as he left the black household without another word to anyone.

Sirius ignored everything what had happened, with the wind smacking his head, he rode in his motorcycle.

And whizzed away, the sun setting on his face.
***
'What do you Remus Lupin - Son of John Lupin have to say in the matter of the murder of Fleamont Potter? Do you accept your crime or plead guilty?'

Remus looked at the crowd.

He spotted all his friends. James, Sirius, Peter, Lily, Dorcas, Marlene.

But he looked only at one.
At the end of the group, Mary was sitting.

For a split second, their eyes met and their conversation came to his mind.

He knew that trusting Orion was a bad idea.

I love you, Remus.

The words rung in his mind.
He looked at Orion Black at the other corner who passed a grin and thumbs up to him.

'I plead guilty.' Remus said, looking at Mary.

'And what do you have to prove your innocence?'
'Orion Black murdered my friend, James Potter's father.'

Remus watched as Orion's eyes turned into slits and he seized with anger at Remus's betrayal.
But Remus knew he couldn't be afraid anymore. He was doing the right thing.

'I am the witness.' Sirius rose from his seat. 'My father killed fleamont Potter without blinking an eye because that is how he is.'

'Lies.' Orion said in a calm manner. 'These two kids have no idea what they are on about.'

'I think we have a pretty good idea.' said James.
'Silence' The person conducting the hearing ordered. 'Unless you have concrete proof that Orion Black has commited this crime, he will not be convicted. So bring forward your proof if you want to.'

Dumbledore, who had shown up stood up.
'I Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, as the Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation Of Wizards and Headmaster of a Hogwarts School Of WitchCraft and Wizardry, speak for Remus Lupin, one of my students, against Orion Black stating he was responsible the murder of Fleamont Potter as well as attempt of murder of James Potter.'

'Mr Dumbledore, do you have any proof to the statements which you are stating?'

Dumbledore brought something out of his pocket.
'I hope this recording shall do. One between Severus Snape and Orion Black before Mr Black imperiuses Mr Snape without his permission. As for the latter part, Severus Snape's curse was traced in the ministry from his wand.'

'You're full of crap. The recording proves nothing.' Orion snarled. 'It doesn't mean I actually went through it.'

'If so, then submit your wand and let's see the previous spells you have casted.'

'That's not legal.' Orion said.
'It is for criminals.' The man taking the hearing said. 'And I allow the procedure to be conducted.'

Orion Black shook his head in anger but gave his wand.

As the person flicked his own wand, and the previous spells were shown from Orion's wand.

Sure enough, both unforgivable curses came in the record.

'Call in the dementors. We have found our murderer.' The man said to two guards standing at the gates.

'I can explain this.' Orion said.

'Well, Mr Black why don't you explain your reasons to the soul sucking dementors?'

***
'You did the right thing.' Mary said when Remus came outside.

'Where are the others?' Remus asked.
'They are waiting by the entrance.' Mary said.

'Thanks. I wouldn't have been able to do that on my own.'

'Don't mention it. I am glad you did the right thing.'

'I do care about you.' Remus said, closing in the distance between them.
He leaned in to kiss her.

She didn't hold back and kissed him back.

'I love you, too. I can't lose you, too.' Remus said.

'I don't want to lose you, either.' Mary said. 'Come on, we should get going. Others will be getting suspicious.' Mary said.
***
'Thanks you guys. I am sorry for being so stupid.' Remus said.

'Eh, everybody makes mistakes.' Sirius wound his arm around Remus's neck.
Then made some random joke, to which Remus couldn't help but grin.

He looked at Dorcas talking in the corner with Mary.
But he didn't look at the girl he always used to look at.

He looked at the other.