The Kitchen, Number Twelve, Grimmauld Place
Harry floo-called from Hogwarts to ask Sirius about Snape's worst memory
"I'd better go," Harry said hastily as his head disappeared into the flames. Remus and Sirius sit in silence for a moment sharing similar worried expressions.
"Poor kid," Remus says, drawing Sirius out of his thoughts, "has the weight of the world on his shoulders." Sirius nods in agreement as he grabs the Firewhiskey and pours two glasses.
He hands one to Remus and sits down at the table next to him. "Did you see the look on his face when he was talking about Prongs though? He has no clue what they were really like," Sirius says gloomily as he takes a drink.
"I know, when I first met him I assumed Petunia would at least of told him what Lily was like when she was younger, but the more I talked to him," Remus sighs and takes a drink, " he was so desperate for any information about them he could get. I don't think his Aunt told him anything, at least not anything good." Sirius looks at him in disbelief.
A loud crash is heard and a few seconds later Tonks appears with a pleading look.
"Remus, I could use your help with something upstairs," she says with as much innocence as she could gather. Remus nods understandingly as he gets up, puts his glass in the sink, and follows her upstairs.
Sirius sits in silence, lost in his own thoughts, for a while. He gets up and walks upstairs with a determined look, muttering something to himself as he heads to the library to do research for his newly formed plan.
Three years later
After the Battle Harry didn't feel like being anywhere. Hogwarts had been destroyed. He tried the Hog's Head and the Leaky Cauldron, but they were too noisy with all the people celebrating the end of the War. He tried staying at the Burrow but every time he ran into one of the Weasley's he was reminded of his guilt over what happened to Fred.
He had eventually settled on Grimmauld Place a week ago and was in the process of cleaning up the place with the help of Kreacher. He had been putting off cleaning Sirius' room for obvious reasons but seeing as the rest of the house was already reasonably clean (Kreacher can be very productive when he wants to be) he figured today was as good a day as any.
He had just finished sorting through all the papers that were scattered around the room and was in the middle of cleaning off the desk. He sees a blue glow coming from a drawer that was slightly open. he opens the drawer and sees a small glass bottle with a blue substance inside. He knows what it is instantly and picks up the bottle and finds a tiny scroll tied to it. He unrolls the scroll and reads the note written in handwriting he hasn't seen in two years.
Dear Harry,
I know I can never fully make up for all the years I missed but seeing how upset you were after seeing that memory of Snape's made me realize how much you truly lost. This can never be as good as the real thing, I know, but hopefully it will at least help you see the kind of man your father really was.
Love, Sirius.
Harry stood there, silent, with tears in his eyes for a few minutes before writing a quick note to McGonagall and sending it off with the own she lent him. McGonagall wrote back to him later that day answering his request, saying if he's available he could come by Hogwarts tomorrow and use the Pensieve.
He stood in the Headmistress' office where McGonagall had left him, telling him to take all the time he needed. He looked around thinking about all the times he's been in this office in the past almost eight years. He took the bottle out of his pocket and walked over to the familiar cabinet. He took out the stopper and used his wand to empty the contents into the basin. He took a breath, submerged his head, and felt the familiar sensation of falling from a great height.
When Harry gets his footing and looks around, he realizes he's standing in a compartment on the Hogwarts Express. He sees four boys sitting in the compartment. He recognizes the two dark-haired boys from Snape's memory as James Potter and Sirius Black at age eleven. He guesses that the Sandy-haired boy with his head in a book is Remus Lupin, and that would mean the last boy, who is small and looks nervous would be Peter Pettigrew. James and Sirius seem to be engaged in their own conversation and don't even notice the other two boys.
"You really think you'll be in Gryffindor," James asks.
"I know I will be. I am nothing like my family, trust me." Sirius says this with a small worried look, but it disappears in an instant and is replaced with his usual carefree smile.
"I'm sure we'll be roommates then, my whole family has been in Gryffindor, I know I will be too." James stands and starts digging around in his trunk on the rack above them. He pulls out a small bag full of sweets. He sets the bag down and gestures for Sirius to help himself as he opens a Chocolate Frog. Remus eyes the Chocolate from over his book but quickly stops himself. James offers some to Peter, who has been unashamedly staring, James then playfully throws a Chocolate Frog at Remus to get his attention. "What house do you lot think you'll be in?"
Remus looks up confused for a few seconds before putting down his book and opening the Chocolate Frog. "Reading before we even get to the school, I bet you'll be in Ravenclaw," Sirius says as Remus eats his Chocolate Frog. "I'm Sirius by the way, and this is James."
"Remus Lupin, and I don't really care what house I'm in as long as my roommates are nice."
"I'm Peter," Peter squeaks as he digs into the sweet bag. "I hope I'm in Hufflepuff, Gryffindors are too loud and arrogant for me."
"I don't think it matters much, there aren't any bad houses really," says James.
"Except Slytherin," Sirius says and James nods in agreement.
With that the scene dissolves as a new one forms. The boys are in their dorms, they look to be a year or two older.
Remus is sitting on his four-poster bed looking worried while the other three are standing around him. "What did you say," Remus asks breaking the silence.
"We know your secret, Remus," James says as he sits down next Remus and puts a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Remus buries his head in his hands.
"Yeah, and we don't care," Sirius adds, sitting down on his own bed next to Remus's bed. Remus lifts his head up and looks around at his friends.
"How can you say that? I'm a monster," Remus screams and then throws his face down into his bed. "You hate me now!" He sits in silence like this for a few minutes then sits back up wiping the tears from his eyes. "I'll pack my things. I know you won't want to share a room with me anymore."
Just as he starts to stand up James pushes him back down on the bed, "Don't even think about leaving. you are not a monster! What happens to you every month is not your fault, Remus. It's not you out there during the full moon, it's the wolf, it's … it's … Moony, not you!"
Remus looks up at him confused, "Moony?"
"Yeah, Moony, the wolf," James explains as if it's the most obvious thing in the world.
Remus gives one of his signature smirks and scoffs as he sits back up. "Moony, really, that's the best you could come up with?"
James laughs, "Would you prefer we call it your 'Furry Little Problem'?"
"Or how about your 'time of the month'" Sirius Suggests.
Remus is full on laughing at this point. "No! No, Moony is fine. I like it. Really. You're really not afraid of me?"
James laughs at this, "Remus, you fold your socks, for Merlin's sake …"
"You read for fun," interrupts Sirius.
"You wear soft, bulky jumpers," Peter adds.
"Forgive us for not trembling in fear at the sight of you," James finishes with his usual dramatic flair.
The sound of all four of them laughing can be heard as the scene dissolves again. Harry finds himself in the Gryffindor Common Room. The four Marauders are sitting working by the light of the fire. Peter is passed out, snoring, while the other three others are pouring over stacks of books. A giant piece of parchment sits on the table in front of them, covered in writing. The boys look to be about fifteen.
"How much longer are we going to work on this tonight Prongs? I need to get my beauty sleep," Sirius whines, having given up trying to be quiet hours ago.
"Come on Padfoot, think of all the pranks we will be able to pull when we finish the map."
"I'm not usually one to complain about researching, but we do have classes tomorrow, Prongs," Remus whispers.
"Fine, you two wake up Wormtail and go on up to the dorm, I'm going to work a bit longer."
The scene dissolved again, now Harry was standing in the Great Hall next to the Gryffindor table. Remus, Sirius and Peter are sitting, eating lunch. Harry looks around for his father when he sees him burst through the doors out of breath and with the biggest smile on his face. He comes running to his friends screaming, "She said yes!" All three of his friends look up at him with similar confused looks.
"She said yes! She said yes! Evans finally said yes! We're going to Hogsmeade next weekend together!"
"Finally slip her a love potion like I've been suggesting, did you Prongs," Sirius says as Remus punches him in the shoulder. "Ow!"
"Congrats Prongs, we're all very happy for you," Remus says as he glares at Sirius.
"Of course we're happy for you prongs. So, tell us how ever did you win over the lovely Lily Evans," Sirius asks only sort of sarcastically as James sits down.
"Well, ever since the incident with Snivellus, she's been kind of lonely, sitting by the lake, writing all the time. I've also noticed her staring at me and smiling recently or giggling at something she overheard me say in class. So, today I saw her sitting and writing, I walked over and said ' Do you mind if I pick this most beautiful Lily- flower?' and instead of looking disgusted and walking away like she normally does when I talk to her, she giggled and started to blush. So, I sat there talking with her, actually talking to her. I eventually asked her if she'd want to go to Hogsmeade with me and she said YES!"
The scene dissolved again and turned into James and Lily's wedding. The aisle is lined with lilies and James stands at the alter with Sirius at his side. He looks a combination of Terrified and ecstatic. The minute Lily appears, James looks like a deer in headlights for a split second. Then all the terror disappears from his expression and he is the picture of peace and happiness.
The wedding disappears and becomes a private room in St Mungo's. Lily lay in the with James arm wrapped around her. They both share similar looks of joy. Sirius is standing in the middle of the room holding a newborn Harry. "He has your eyes Lily. Unfortunately, he got the rest of his looks from you, Prongs."
James Laughed then shared a look with Lily that Sirius didn't see. She smiled and nodded in response. "Well I hope it doesn't hurt your reputation to have such an ugly godson, padfoot," James says with a smirk.
Sirius doesn't realize what he said at first. When he finally does, he looks at James, surprised and confused, James nods. "Can we take that dumb look on your face as a yes," James asks.
Sirius looks back down at baby Harry for a few minutes before looking back to James and Lily and asking, "You really want me to be Godfather?" James nods again. "Why me? Why not Moony, or Wormtail, or one of Lily's Friends? why would you want reckless, irresponsible me?" Sirius looks both honored and terrified.
James walks over to Sirius and puts a hand on his shoulder and looks him in the eye. Smiling, he says, "Who else would we pick, Padfoot? You're the obvious choice. You're brave, kind, fiercely loyal, and protective over those you love. You have so many of the qualities we want Harry to learn. You're more than my best friend, Sirius, you're my brother, in everything but blood. You are the perfect choice." James pauses and looks down at Harry. He looks back at Sirius, "You never answered our question, you know. Will you be Harry's Godfather?"
Sirius looks down at baby Harry and nods. "Of course." James walks Back to Lily. Sirius whispers to baby Harry, "Hey Prongslet, I'm your Uncle Padfoot. I promise I will never let anything happen to you or your parents. I will do anything to protect you guys. I love you so much, my little fawn."
The older Harry started to cry at hearing his Godfather speak these words.
"Besides, Padfoot, you know Moony will always be around to help out. We would've been expelled in our first year at Hogwarts if it weren't for our Brilliant Moony."
The scene dissolves once again, Harry is standing in an unfamiliar cozy room. He thinks it must be his Parents cottage in Godric's Hollow because of all the pictures of the Marauders and Lily covering the walls. There is a fire going, making the whole house feel warm. a huge Christmas tree is in the middle of the room, littered with presents around the bottom. Harry can hear voices coming from what he assumes is the kitchen. He thinks they must be eating Christmas dinner. He's about to walk into the kitchen when Sirius, James, Lily, and Remus carrying baby Harry walk into the living room.
"Such a shame Wormtail couldn't make it," James says as they all sit down around the tree. James and Lily snuggle into the loveseat together, Sirius spreads out on the small couch, and Remus sits in the cozy armchair in front of the fire as baby Harry snuggles into his jumper and yawns.
"Said Dumbledore needed him for emergency Order business tonight. Figures Death Eaters don't even take a break on Christmas," Sirius says running his hand through his hair. They sat in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts at the mention of the War.
Eventually Lily gets up and picks up two Presents from under the tree. she Hands one to Sirius and one to Remus, taking Harry at the same time so he can open it.
Older stands mesmerized, watching his parents all snuggled together with him in the middle. After a minute or two he turns back to see what the two gifts were. He looks to see the two Marauders holding identical pocket watches.
"They were James idea," Lily explains. "We both have one as well."
"They use the same tracking spells in the map," James adds as he examines his friends' reactions.
Harry takes a closer look at the pocket watches. They have 5 hands on them each with a different name. They remind harry of Mrs. Weasley's clock except they only have four different locations: Order, Home, Full Moon, and Harry.
"They're Brilliant, Prongs," Remus says finally breaking the silence.
"They really are. Now I can know when your home so I can visit my Godson whenever I want."
"Oh god, he's going to be over here all the time now isn't he," Lily asks as James laughs. Remus puts his gift in his pocket and pulls out a small present. He gives it to James and Lily.
"Thank you so much Remus, but you know you didn't need to get us anything. We know how hard it is for you to find work," Lily says as she rips away the wrapping paper.
"I wanted to, besides it's not for you it's for Harry," Remus says, looking more at peace then he did in all the time Harry knew him.
Lily opens the box to find a tiny cardigan, much like the ones Remus wears so often. "Aww! Remus it's adorable. Thank you so much. Harry always does like cuddling into your jumpers when you hold him."
Before James can say his thanks Sirius interrupts. "Moony just won't rest until we are all Professors like him. Harry will like my gift much better." Sirius pulls out a box almost identical to the one Remus had, and hands it to James and Lily. James opens this one to find a tiny leather jacket, much like the one Sirius is wearing now.
"And you say I'm the one trying to turn him into a miniature version of myself," Remus says smirking and rolling his eyes at Sirius.
"But at least I have style unlike you Professor Lupin."
"We love both of your gifts equally. Now ca we please enjoy the rest of this rare moment of peace," Lily asks, sounding like a mother talking to two children.
"Fine," the two Marauders say in unison, stopping their bickering.
The scene dissolved for the last time and Harry was pulled back into the Headmistress' office. For a minute he wished he could go back to that moment and enjoy the family he could have had. Sirius was still giving him amazing gifts from beyond the veil.
The next day he went to visit Andromeda and baby Teddy. He was holding the baby while Andromeda went to get some tea when he got an idea. He whispered to Teddy, "I promise to be the best Godfather I can, after all, I learned from the very best. Some day when your older, I'll give you the same gift he gave to me, I'll give you your Dad."
A/N: This was my first ever fanfiction. I got the idea for this while rereading Order of the Pheonix. I originally wanted harry to find a diary written by Sirius with stories that he was going to give to Harry the next time he saw him but i realized that he probably would have found it in Deathly Hallows. So i realized it had to be something small because i hate plot holes. i know i copied what Snape did in Deathly Hallows but i've always felt Harry deserved better, un-biased memories than Snape's and this was my way of giving them to him. I might write a follow-up to this with Harry and Teddy if people like the idea and if i can come up with story ideas.