The dog sat back on its haunches, hidden by the overgrown bushes. The smell of pup pack protect surrounded him, and he quivered in excitement for the first time in years. He had searched for weeks for his pup, and wanted nothing more than to see him. But the voice in his head, the one that faded over the years spent in the place full of pain, no no please I'm sorry it's all my fault no plea- told him to stay back. That the pup wouldn't know him. He just needed to see him before going to look for the traitor.
Just one look.
The dog inched forward, careful not to make any noise. The pup stood on the other side of the road. He smelled of fear and anger, the dog could hear his heartbeat pounding wildly in his chest. Without meaning to, the dog whined. The pup whirled around and looked at the dog hiding under the bushes. As soon as they locked eyes, the dog fell back, broken bits of memories flooding him.
James introducing him to his son, Lily laughing at his hesitancy. Remus smiling at him, passing him a butterbeer as James and Lily left them to babysit. Looking down at his godson, feeling a fear so deep and primal it terrified him. The feeling of being wanted, being a part of a family-
Family.
More memories came to him and he retreated further into the bushes, whining pitifully as they overwhelmed him.
A laughing girl with honey brown eyes, leaning over to kiss him. Handing him a small bundle at St. Mungo's. Looking down to see a tuft of black hair and bright gray eyes looking up at him. A son. Broken, scattered moments with them as he fought a war.
His father looked at him over the table in a dingy bar off of Diagon Alley. He gave him a sack of coins, saying, "Here, this should tie you and Charlotte over for another month. Let me know if it's not enough. How is the baby doing? He's due in a month, yes?"
"She's fine, Father. The baby keeps her up at night moving around, but she says that it's worth it in the end. She doesn't like the hiding though. Neither do I, if I'm honest." He said.
"I know," his father said. "But the Dark Lord is gaining power, and he already ensnared one of my sons, not to mention your cousins. I refuse to give him any more members of House Black. And if your mother found out? Do you really want your heir to be at her mercy?" They both shuddered. "I'm moving you to France. The House has a small cottage that not many know of. You'll be safe there until the war is over."
"Father, I cannot abandon James. He's naming me the godfather of his child, I must be here." He said firmly, "I have to fight against the Dark Lord, I refuse to simply allow him to murder any magicals as he so pleases! It goes against what we stand for!"
His father looked at him with pride. "I know, son. But your wife isn't safe here; not from anyone. I'm not sure what Dumbledore would do with her, and I don't trust your Order with the life of the future Heir Black. So, she will go to France," his father held up a hand to stop him from interrupting, "while you stay here to ensure they have a future. I've set up an account with the Paris branch of Gringotts. She won't want for anything."
"Thank you, Father."
The memories faded. The dog stood up and shook his fur. With one last look at his pup, his godson, Sirius Black turned away and headed further south, to France. He had to find his son. His heir.
