stanley and kingsleys' flat
"Lee-- our pagers are flashing. Hey, wake up.", Stanley whispered softly, lifting his head off of Kingsleys' chest.
"Mhm, coming.", Kingsley muttered, yawning. "You sure you're okay?", he asked, looking at Stanley, concerned.
"I'm fine. Ready to go?", Stanley said, kissing his cheek. "I love you. I know i don't say it a lot-- but I do.", Kingsley said.
"I love you, too.", Stanley said softly, grabbing his wand. "Look- Stanley, just in case something happens-", Kingsley said.
"Shh, nothing's going to happen. Don't jinx it, love.", Stanley said, as the two of them stepped into the fireplace.
order tunnel
"Meadowes and McKinnon. You're on patrol."
"Us-- together?", Dorcas blanched, her eyes lighting up. "Can I trust you to?", Dumbledore asked.
"Yes- thank you, Professor.", Marlene said, smiling.
"Call me Albus."
"Sorry, sir, I'm never going to get used to that.", Marlene laughed, her eyes twinkling.
"Professor it is."
stanley & kingsley's mission
"See anyone?", Stanley whispered, as they lit their wand, moving into the village.
"Who did Dumbledore say we need to look out for?"
"Werewolves.", Stanley said grimly.
"Is that- Oh my god-", Kingsley whispered, pointing at the red liquid on the ground. Stanley's face paled as his eyes followed the pool of blood to a man on the ground.
The man was almost cut in half, teeth marks and blood soaking his clothes,
"Sir- Sir, hey, we're here to help.", Stanley said, as Kingsley kneeled down next to him. "G-Greyback- he-", the man choked out, a bubble of blood forming near his mouth as he gurgled.
"We're going to get you some help, alright? Don't-- don't move.", Stanley said, pressing his hands to the wound, as Kingsley used his wand to wrap gauze around the bite.
"I- Don't.", the man breathed, coughing. "Lee, we need to move him to the fireplace.", Stanley said, his eyes wild. Kingsley nodded, lifting up his wand.
"Sir- we're going to move you, tell us if anything hurts.", Stanley said, his voice shaking. "Sir?", he asked again, desperately. The man was still, letting out a last shuddering breath.
"No-- No, no. Come on.", Stanley said, pushing on his chest, trying to start up his heart. Kingsley closed the man's eyes, pulling Stanley away, a choked sob escaping his lips. "Stan-- there's nothing we can do. But there might be people we can still save.", Kingsley said.
"Let's go.", Stanley swallowed, as they walked further into the village. Stanley let out a cry of shock, covering his eyes as he saw the horrible sight.
"Oh my god-- Oh my god, Stanley.", Kingsley whispered, running to the ground, strewn with dead bodies.
Stanley waved his wand, his hand shaking as the light spread across the people, looking for anyone who was alive. "Lee-- what if they come back?", Stanley said softly, his eyes wide.
A faint cry sounded, after the unmistakable sound of footsteps. "Someone's coming-- hide.", Stanley whispered.
"I heard someone-- a baby.", Kingsley said, eyeing Stanley. "Lee-"
"I have to help. You hide. If anything happens-- I love you.". That was the last thing Kingsley said before running into the dark.
"Are all of them dead?", a voice growled. "Yes-- yes, sir.", a voice stuttered. "I like them dead or alive. Which one should I start with first?", the unmistakable voice of Greyback said. Stanley covered his mouth as he laid on the ground, face down.
Kingsley ran into the woods, his heart pounding. Another faint cry sounded, and then footsteps. Footsteps towards Stanley.
"Please, please, be okay.", Kingsley whispered, heading towards the crying noise. Behind a bush, a small baby with dark brown skin was crying, kicking his legs in the air.
Kingsley stared at the baby, before picking him up hesitantly. "Hi, baby.", he whispered softly, rocking him in his arms. The baby's cries quietened, as he sucked his thumb, closing his eyes.
"Shhh, yeah, that's it.", Kingsley said softly, cooing at him.
"You're sure they're all dead?", Greyback snarled again, licking his lips. Stanley fought hard not to let out a frightened sob as Greyback bent down to the woman next to him.
There was a horrible sound of biting and gnawing, and Greyback salivating. Warm blood splashed on Stanley's face as he flinched slightly. "Let's go. We're done here.".
The sound of footsteps receded. Stanley let out a strangled sob and put a hand over his mouth, his eyes widening.
"Did you hear that?", someone hissed. "I didn't hear anything. We need to leave.", Greyback snarled. There was a silence before they disappeared, leaving Stanley alone.
Kingsley walked through the woods, the baby in his hands. He cradled him softly, turning at the clearing.
"Stan. Stan-- where are you?", Kingsley asked quietly, his voice deep. "Lee?", a weak voice came from further down the trail.
"Is that-- is that blood- Stan, did he bite you?", Kingsley asked, his voice breaking as he knelt down next to him, the baby still in his hands.
"No-- not me. Is that a baby?", Stanley asked, his eyes widening. "Yeah-- I found him. We need to take him back. Are you okay?", Kingsley asked again.
"I'm fine-- can I see him?", Stanley asked softly. Kingsley handed the baby to Stanley, who smiled down at him, putting his hand under his neck. "Hi.", Stanley whispered, his eyes sparkling down at him.
"Lee- what if we keep him?", Stanley breathed, looking up at Kingsley. "Keep him- Stan, there's a war going on-- and-", Kingsley said, shocked.
"I know- but I can't just give him to someone else.", Stanley said. "I could get Aresha to help out.", Kingsley mused aloud.
"Yes-- We're parents, Lee.", Stanley said, tears sparkling in his eyes. "Patience, sweetheart. We need to get back to the tunnel first.", Kingsley said, but he was smiling too.
tunnel
Kingsley and Stanley stepped through the fireplace, Stanley carrying the baby with a blanket over him.
"Professor.", Kingsley said softly, as Stanley rocked the sleeping baby, turning to the table of aurors and past students. "Is that a baby?", McGonagall let out a gasp.
"We got to the village-- but the werewolves beat us there. The only person we were able to save was him.", Kingsley said grimly, moving the blanket to uncover his face.
"Werewolves?", Remus asked quietly. Sirius put a steady hand on his knee, rubbing it softly.
"One more thing. We're keeping him.", Stanley said, flicking his black hair out of his face.
"Mr. Hunt-", Dumbledore said quietly. "What, sir?", Kingsley asked a hint of anger in his voice.
"You know you're not supposed to seem like a couple to the outside world-- and having a baby? It's just too dangerous.", Dumbledore said grimly.
"I don't care. He needs us. He's not going to an orphanage.", Stanley said loudly.
"Sir, orphanages are horrible places.", James said, standing up. "I think that Stanley and Kingsley will be incredible parents.", Lily nodded. Sirius nodded.
"Sir- I don't mean to threaten you, but if- if you don't let us keep him, then Kingsley and I will leave the program.", Stanley stuttered. Gasps filled the room.
"Well. You two are very talented aurors. I won't have you risking your lives by yourselves. You can keep him.", Dumbledore said, his lips in a tight line.
Cheers filled the room, smiles everywhere. "Yes!", Stanley cheered, looking up at Kingsley, his eyes twinkling.