A/N: The It's Not EasyRon's Reaction plot bunny returned to me. This is Sirius' POV and from now on it's going to be a multi-chaptered fic, alternating POV's, although I think I'm most fond of Harry and Ron.

And, yeah, eventually, we might work some slash in there. :-) What? It wouldn't be mine if it didn't have some! In my fics, Harry = gay. Just the way it is.

Sirius

I swore when I read the letter. I don't really know Harry as well as I would like; I missed out on twelve years of his life, after all, but even I should've realised something was amiss, from the letters he was sending. They were too flat, too neatly written, everything laid out like some kind of form letter. And now, today, I get a letter from Harry's best friend, Ron.


Dear

I hope that you're doing well & are well-fed and comfortable. I also hope you have finished the work that Dumbledore asked you to do at the end of the term. Why? That's a longer story...

I woke up this morning to find Harry in my bed. Don't worry, I'm not taking advantage of your godson. In the middle of the night, he just left the Dursleys and took the Knight Bus here to the Burrow. I could tell when I woke up that he had been crying, but he hasn't mentioned it since he woke up, of course. Snuffles, there's something wrong. I remember the first time we met, he was 11 years old, and had lived with the Dursleys for ages, but he still had more self-confidence and was happier than he is right now.

Hermione's arriving in a few days, and Mum has agreed that Harry's dog' can visit. It'd probably be best to let them know of your innocence, but I thought that Harry might enjoy telling parts of the story once you get here. Anything to get his spirits up.

Come soon.

Ron Weasley


I couldn't believe it. Oh, I could, after what Harry had gone through with the last task of the Tri-Wizard Tournament, and then going directly back to the Dursleys, but I would've thought that Dumbledore would have taken steps to ensure Harry didn't get what the Muggles called depressed. I wouldn't know the term, either, but my lover seems fairly confident that I've worked through my Azkaban-induced depression' and is rather proud of me. Speaking of my lover...



Yes, Paddy?

I've got to go somewhere else after all. I sound disappointed, because I am. Fourteen bloody years apart and we've had three days together. I'll try to see if you can come after a day or two, you might be of some help.

Remus' head appeared then around the corner, his hair sticking up wildly from where he just pulled a shirt on. Help? Where? What's going on?

I tossed the letter to him. Harry. He's at the Weasleys, and this doesn't sound very good.

Remus quickly scanned the letter. No, it doesn't sound good at all. You'd best go immediately; owl me, love.

I deposited a quick kiss on his lips, then pulled back. I think I'll Floo as Padfoot. You mind calling out the destination for me?

Remus smiled. Of course not.

Thanks. I'll get in touch as soon as I can.

Then I was the dog, and Moony threw in the Floo powder and shouted out The Burrow as I leaped into the fire. The world was a twisting, turning place for a bit, and then I was a rather worn-looking kitchen populated by redheads eating at a big table. Redheads – and one black. I crossed the room to Harry immediately and nuzzled his hand.

Snuffles! That was quick, Ron, didn't you just send a letter this morning? Harry sounds subdued, moreso than I expected, even with Ron's letter.

Mm-hmm. Snuffles, how did you get here through the Floo Network? Who sent you?

I thought about how to tell them. I barked once, glanced at the twins, then at Harry, and barked again. Harry had told me that the twins had had the Marauders' Map before passing it on to Harry, and I hoped Ron or Harry one would understand what I was trying to say.

The twins? Harry? No, wait... Ron was thinking out loud.

The Map, Ron, Harry said softly. He must have been at Professor Lupin's. That's where Dumbledore told him to stay once he was finished alerting everyone.

Harry got Lily's brains after all. Not that my best friend wasn't smart, he was, but some things just went straight over his head.

Ron smiled. That's right, he did. Professor Lupin must've called out the destination for him. I woofed happily. Smart boys. I like Ron; he's the Sirius to Harry's James, in my mind, and Hermione is frightly similar to Remus. I'm glad there's no fourth in the group; that would be too ominous for me to handle well.

I'm finished eating. There was Harry again, his voice soft, small, and uncertain. It's breaking my heart. Mrs. Weasley, is it okay if I go on upstairs? And can Snuffles stay in Ron's room with me?

Our room, git, Ron interrupted cheerfully. I'm done, too, Mum. We'll just be upstairs. C'mon, Harry, Pa- Snuffles.

He almost said Padfoot. We're going to have to tell the others here soon.

Ron locked the door to his room and put a chair in front of it at Harry's insistence. Shades drawn, I transformed back into my human form and held Harry tightly to me.

'Lo, Sirius, he said quietly. Sorry to pull you away from Professor Lupin.

What do you mean? I'm astonished. I've never said anything about mine and Moony's relationship.

He smiled, then, a genuine smile. This is good. I'm not blind, Sirius. I saw the way you two looked at each other in the Shrieking Shack, and the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes when he told you to lie low at Professor Lupin's. Not to mention the expression you had.

I'm astonished. So, apparently, is Ron. Harry, what are you on about?

Are you married? Can you do that, in the wizarding world? Can't in the Muggle world.

Ah, no, we're not. We were engaged, before, but.... Oh. Yes, you can, in the wizarding world. I smiled.

Harry, what are you two talking about?

Sirius' fiance. Harry smiled. I wondered what he was thinking as he looked at Ron with a mixture of amusement and... something undefinable, but familiar. I'll have to think on it. Honestly, Ron, don't be daft. The quiet voice was still present, but it had more energy now. Sirius and Professor Lupin are together.

Oh! I'm sorry, Ron apologised. You can't have had long with him...

It's okay, I try to wave off the apology.

No, it's not, Harry says firmly. But we can make it okay. He stood up and walked downstairs, back to the kitchen. I hurriedly pop back into Padfoot and Ron and I run after him. The others are just finishing. Mrs. Weasley? Are you up for one more houseguest? I just remembered that Snuffles'... er... owner will be rather lonesome without him.

Mrs. Weasley's a smart woman. She's the only one here besides Harry and Ron who knows who I really am, and she catches the hint in Harry's solemn voice. Oh, of course, dear, I didn't think about that. Who is it, again? She doesn't know. Not surprising, we were in seventh year when her oldest son started Hogwarts, but Remus had been harassed substantially right after I was thrown into Azkaban, and I thought she might've known.

Professor Lupin, ma'am. Her eyes widened, a hint of recognition in them, like a memory returning.

Ah, yes, of course. I remember even Fred and George enjoyed his classes as well. Shall we call him? The four of us troup to the fireplace and throw in some powder. After a moment, Remus' face appears.

Hello, Mrs. Weasley, Harry, Ron, Snuffles. Is something the matter?

Oh, no, not at all, Mrs. Weasley beams, reassurance personified. Harry just reminded me that, ah, as Snuffles, um, owner, you might get rather... lonely, so we thought we'd like for you to come and stay as well.

I see the surprise on Remus' face. He's wondering how they knew, or figured it out so fast. I nudge Harry with my nose as I eye him, and he blinks his understanding. Told you he was smart, Moony, I think. Told you.

Well, that's a generous offer, Molly, but ...

Oh, no, Professor Lupin, we really think you should come, urges Ron, and I see Harry look around him before he leans forward and says his part.

Yeah, Moony, you should. It'll make the story more interesting.

The potential for mischief draws my Remus in. The Maraudering spirit, as it were. If this is depressed Harry, the kid should be unstoppable when he's feeling better.

I whine. That's my plea.

Oh, alright. Remus gives in, and I nearly howl with pleasure. Let me just throw a few things together and I'll be there shortly.

My heart is a bit lighter as we return to Harry and Ron's room. Did I mention what great kids they are? Now to get Harry happier. Maybe all he needs is some friends. Remus and I are the closest thing he's got to a family, I hope that'll help him too. Tomorrow, he tells me, he's going to tell the rest of the Weasleys about me, starting with the twins, and Ginny. Percy he's leaving to last, as Percy still rants occasionally about the need to execute me. Nice guy.