LIFE CAN BE 'NORMAL' ONE LAST TIME

Revised: January 15, 2014

Feet pounding on the floors and stairs of Number thirty-one Owl Post Lane had quickly become as natural of a sound as breathing. It had not taken more than a fortnight for all the people of the Potter/Lupin/Black and Delmhar family to become involved in the lives of everyone they knew more than ever before. With the news of headmaster Albus Dumbledore's death and the threats to the wizarding world mounting, many lives were at risk. The day after Dumbledore's death secret keepers was made for the protection of Number thirty-one, the Granger's house, and The Burrow. Nymphadora Tonks had taken in the responsibility of the first home, Remus decided he would protect the Granger residence, and Auror Kingsley Shacklebolt took up the Burrow. But this was only the beginning. There were still other homes that needed protecting and people to talk to and make plans for hasty getaways, which is why feet running up the steps on June the twentieth filled the home again.

Helena Rose Delmhar hurried up the staircase and pounded on the bedroom door across the landing. It opened to reveal a slight teenage boy with wild black hair, bright green eyes behind plastic-framed glasses, and a lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

"Yeah?" Harry asked.

"I'm so sorry Harry dear but could you take Cayden for now?" Helena dumped her eleven-month-old son in his arms.

"Er- sure."

"I am so sorry but it has been a nightmare trying to talk to my mother. She does not seem to understand why I want her and Dad to go into hiding. I'm going to try the phone again, see if that works"-

And with a whip of her brown hair she was out of sight. Harry looked at the baby in his arms. Cayden gave off a three-tooth grin and grabbed Harry's nose. Harry flashed him a smile full of green bands and wires.

"Wanna show off for me again buddy?" Harry asked and shut the door. Harry placed Cayden on his bedroom floor after he took off the baby's little socks. Harry sat across from him a few feet away. "All right Cayden- hey, Cayden! Come here, come to Harry, come on!"

Cayden moved his head at the sound of his big brother's voice. "Ahh!" he squealed and pulled himself up by the bench at the foot of Harry's bed.

"That's it, come on," Harry cheered him on.

Cayden squealed again and wobbled over to him with his arms out. Harry caught him before he fell. "Good job buddy! Good job!" with all the craziness in the house lately the adults seemed less interested that Cayden had begun to walk ten days ago. Harry thought it was best he continue to encourage him, Helena always told him how siblings were the best stimulus for babies. With everything that had been going on Harry was pretty much in charge of baby duty anyway. He took on the job without complaint, even changing his first nappies since the little boy was born; he knew how important it was that Sirius, Remus, Helena, and all the other Order members took care of what needed to be taken care of.

"Do you want to try again?" Harry asked the baby.

"Ah!" Cayden cried and poked at Harry's face.

Harry brushed back the brown fringe from his eyes. "I think Mummy needs to give you a haircut bud. Your first haircut, won't that be fun? It's getting long…"

Cayden struggled out of Harry's lap. He took it as a sign he wanted to walk again. He was a bit shakier this time so Harry got up to help him. He held onto the baby's arms and Cayden moved his legs over the ground, his bare feet gaining much needed grip on the hard surface. Harry soon let go and Cayden took a few steps on his own before he spotted one of Harry's cats and fell to the floor to touch it.

"Yeah, you like Sabby huh?" Harry asked the boy as he helped his brother run his hand into the thick fluffy fur of Harry's rag doll cat Sabrina. She nuzzled both boys before walking out. Harry sighed and brought the baby in his lap again. "Your mum's been on the phone all day so far, you must be getting pretty bored hanging with me huh?"

Cayden just looked at Harry with bright blue eyes and smiled. Harry sighed but smiled softly back. It was hard to think that in such dangerous times something so innocent could smile this carefree. Even though Harry knew what his role in the war was it didn't make things any easier. On the contrary, it made it that more difficult. He still had to wait another month before he could use magic on his own so the hunt for the Horcruxes was at a standstill. Remus thought it best Hermione Granger not travel back and forth from her house to his in case she was followed so Harry had barely seen his girlfriend at all, and knowing her she'd be the best help throughout the search. Harry hadn't even seen his other best friend Ron Weasley yet, his parents wanted him to stay put at home as well. Harry hated sitting at home not being able to do anything yet when the very reason for the chaos involved him.

Harry checked his watch and noticed it was a little past lunch time now. Cayden was now beginning to whine and fuss in his arms.

"Yeah, I reckon I'd like some food too."

Harry past Helena again in the kitchen. She was still having a heated argument with her patents on the phone. She waved at Harry before going off upstairs so her son wouldn't have to hear his mother talk in such a loud voice. Harry fished out a jar of squash flavored baby food and heated up left-over pasta from last night and began to feed himself and Cayden. His heart skipped a beat when he heard a loud pop in the house. A second later Remus walked into the dining room.

"Hello cub," Remus said giving off a grim smile.

"Hey. How was it? Took you all morning."

"Yes well, ran into a couple sticky ends but sorted everything out in the end." Remus served himself pasta as well and sat down across from Harry. "The Grangers are still insisting to go to work each day so I had to travel with them again to make sure they made it safely. They did promise all of us that today will be their last day working at the dental school they've been volunteering at. The Auror who was supposed to be on lookout at the school wasn't there yet so I took over until he showed up. Anyway, there's a meeting at headquarters' tonight, we got word Snape is trying to get back in."

"What? He's had all this time."

"He's been injured as you well know. We made sure he couldn't get into headquarters first thing just in case. He very well may have been trying to get in all this time. We already spotted a Death Eater at watch near this house."

"Yeah," Harry said wincing as Cayden let out a high screech and began to bang his fists on his highchair table.

Remus smiled. "Enjoying babysitting today?"

"Have been surprisingly although he sounds like a siren at times and likes to make a mess. I had to give him a bath after breakfast when he decided to dump his cereal in his lap."

"I'm sorry you're stuck watching a baby while everyone is making plans, especially since you're in the middle of them," Remus said heavily.

"It's to be expected," Harry said tonelessly. "It's so hard to wait until my birthday to be actively involved with anything. I can't do much to look for the Horcruxes now."

Remus looked around. "Where's Helena?"

"On the phone, has been all day so far. I guess she really means it when her mother doesn't want to be a part of this."

Remus could sense Harry's bitterness. He touched his wrist. "I'm really sorry everything revolves around you cub."

"Yeah, if I wasn't here she wouldn't be putting up such a fight. No one would be worried to leave home or anything."

"Well if it makes you feel any better Helena's mother had it in for magic ever since two of her daughters became witches."

Harry shrugged. Not liking that he was being ignored Cayden screeched again and moved about.

"Ahhh! Ah abblaaa!" he cried.

"What do you want?" Harry asked the infant.

Cayden raised an arm at Harry. "Ah! Ah!"

"I think that's his word for me. Every time I'm around he cries 'Ah!' 'Ah!'"

"Well he's almost one, he's going to begin to talk and form words for everyone soon," Remus said wisely.

"Ahhhh! Ah-o!" Cayden screamed again and pushed his little plastic dish to the floor.

"Cayden!" Harry cried. He heard giggling. Harry glared. "Oh, you're a real bugger aren't you? This is not funny."

"Want me to take over things now?" Remus asked the teenager.

Harry sighed. "You're busy Moony."

"I'm home now. C'mon, you deserve a break."

Harry looked uncertain.

Remus gave him a swift smile. "Harry, I've handled you at your worst of times when you were his age; I think I'll be okay. Cayden likes me don't you?"

Cayden stared blankly back.

"Right, I know that," Harry smiled. He finished his lunch and went upstairs minutes later.

Sirius came home during dinner that night looking haggard from working at the Auror Office on what was supposed to be his day off, not to mention he refused to rest much after he received third degree burns to his back by Snape during the battle last month.

"Then again, who expects normal days off in times like these anyway?" he asked over their pork.

Harry was currently lying on his bed, frustrated he couldn't be of any help after dinner when the phone rang. As this was another normal household sound Harry shrugged it off which was why he was surprised when Helena came into his bedroom banishing the phone his way.

"What? But who's calling me?" he asked sitting up.

"It's a boy I believe, said his name is Seb."

Harry's eyes went wide. "Seb?"

Helena nodded. Harry looked dumbfounded. Seb was a boy a year or two older than him that he had met last January. Harry knew little of him but supposedly he was taken out of Hogwarts by his father when he was thirteen. Why on earth was he calling him now?

Harry thanked his Healer and took the phone. "Er- hello?"

"Harry? Is that you?" came an uncertain voice on the other end.

"Seb, wow, what- what are you doing calling me? How did you even get my number?"

"You called my mate's house and his mum told me it was you. I knew you were at school so, didn't try to call since. Plus after everything…"

"Yeah, yeah, the car crash. What happened?"

Harry could have sworn he heard Seb sigh angrily. "Nothing big, my dad is just- well, not great. I mean, it was his fault, but things were taken care of."

Harry frowned. "I heard you were at a children's home."

"Oh yeah well, I was after the accident. After the hospital found out my sister and I were all right they sent us there. Well, to make a long story short, we were placed in a foster home pretty quickly. That's where I'm calling from now actually."

"Foster home?" Harry echoed.

"Yeah, the couple is pretty nice. I mean, I'm almost nineteen, it doesn't bother me but my sister who's eight, they're really great with her so that's all that matters. I have to make sure she's being treated right," Seb told him.

Harry blinked. "Um, well, I'm not going to pretend I know you well so I don't really know what to say."

"It's fine, everything is taken care of. My dad's been arrested for- well, abuse and stuff. So, the trial is still pending but, everyone knows he's going to jail anyway."

"Is- is that why you didn't give me your real number?"

"Yeah, no way can I have people call at home. Or, what was 'home'." He paused. "I'm sure you weren't expecting any of this were you?"

Harry smiled. "No but once I tell you everything in my life; it will be equally as shocking."

"Well I think so, I mean, you're the boy who lived. I know who you are."

"Not like you did in third year I'll tell you that," Harry exasperated.

There was a muffled sound at the end. "I would think I already know more than you think. When we met first earlier this year it was in a Muggle hospital. What was the famous Harry Potter doing in a Muggle hospital?"

Harry smiled; he could tell he was joking. "Well, to be short, I had Phenomena."

"Phenomena? Oh wow. That blows mate."

"So you think because of that you know I'm living a different life than… 1993?"

"Well you had braces then, assuming you still do, that's different. Plus the man you were with didn't seem real harsh and I know you lived with an aunt and uncle who hated you."

Harry grinned slightly as he leaned back into his pillows. "Seb, we have a lot to talk about."

Harry ended up talking with the youth for close to two hours that night. It felt oddly satisfying; he was talking with another bloke around his age on the phone, just like any other teenager. Of course, he didn't want to spill too much, he couldn't get attached to someone else. At that moment Harry was telling Seb that Dumbledore had recently died. He was very shocked when he heard this.

"I never thought, I mean, it's Dumbledore," Seb struggled to say.

"I know. But when you look at it, he was getting up there in age. Plus after- after everything that night, it was bound to happen," Harry said heavily.

"But how did it happen is what I want to know."

Harry sighed. "I don't think it's best to go into it right now. It involves poison and what Madam Pomfrey said was 'going to happen eventually'. I guess he knew he was going to die."

There was a pause. "Wow, that's harsh mate. What is your, well, our… well I guess your world going to do about it now?"

Harry frowned. "You're still a wizard aren't you?"

There was another muffled sound. "Well I guess, I can't do magic though."

"Then you still belong to our world." Harry frowned suddenly. "Um, say, since you're living in a foster home, a Muggle one I'm sure, why are you talking so freely about, well, it?"

"Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Apperton, the couple who's looking over us are real great about privacy. They're an older couple, they've taken care of several children before, they know how to respect them and give them space."

"That's good."

"So? What are you going to do?"

Harry shrugged. "Well you remember me telling you Voldemort has returned right?"

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well he's recruiting his Death Eaters and the easiest way to put it is- no one is really 'safe'. They could find anyone if they wanted and force them to do something or worse."

The pause between the two lasted longer this time.

"I don't want to alarm you or anything," Harry added.

"Oh, no, don't."

Harry looked at his hand and glanced at the cold dark sky from his window. "Look, maybe we should call it off, hang up and pretend we never met. I know I'm going to put you in danger. Not only you but your sister and the couple you're living with now. After everything… I really don't think this is a good idea."

"Has it really gotten that bad since I left?"

"It has. I'm sure you've noticed how cold it's gotten in London over the years. I mean, it is London but still… Voldemort will defiantly try to force anyone who has ever known me for information about me."

"Well I just won't give it to him," Seb shrugged it off.

"It's not like that; he'll kill you if you don't give him anything." Harry rubbed his tired eyes. "Look Seb, like you just said, a lot has happened since you left. You left when I was in first year. I'm supposed to be heading into seventh in September but I'm not coming back. That's six years of things you've missed. It might be more dangerous that you aren't aware of anything than if you were. You won't know how to defend yourself."

"I know how to fight," Seb said back defensively.

"No you don't!" Harry argued. "You're an eighteen-and-a-half year old wizard who doesn't have a wand!"

Harry could tell Seb was fighting to say something in defense again on the other line. Finally he spoke. "So? What do you want me to do? I already know a lot about you like it or not. Even I know a sixteen-year-old wizard can't wipe away my memory," he said candidly.

Harry growled. "No but I have a godfather and uncle who can. You can't know me Seb."

"I already do Harry. You don't know me; I can take care of myself and my sister without help. I can defend us against anymore."

"You can't against men who know the darkest of Dark Arts," Harry said fairly.

"All right, fine. But I can't un-know you Harry, that's what I'm trying to say."

Harry took off his glasses for a moment to rub his eyes again. Everyone had been saying the same exact thing to him the past month. He hated that he knew they had a good argument there.

"I don't think it's worth dying for to a person you don't know well."

"Yes well, too late for that huh? As soon as I found out you loved the same bands as me I had to talk to you," Seb said happily.

"Wish you hadn't worn that Green Day shirt now," Harry had to say.

"Yes well, it's one of my favorites." Another pause. "Oh hey, I have to go now, my foster moth- well; the woman who's looking after us wants me off."

"Oh, okay."

"I am sorry we know each other mate, really. I'm just really into music and finding a new bloke to chat up music with is great. I know I'm in danger now because of You-know-who but it's not something I can undo. Guess I'll take it as it comes. I would like us to be mates though, officially. You seem pretty all right."

Harry had to grin. "I'd like so too. I never had a Muggle- well, a normal bloke as a mate."

Seb was smiling as well. "So?"

"Well, if you're ready to face the consequences… I really don't think it's a good idea though."

"Hey, with all the shit going on with you I doubt we'll be hanging around much anyway. But you still have my e-mail right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll be on the computer then. See you mate."

"See you- mate."

They hung up. Harry sighed. What on earth was he getting himself into? He wished he hadn't just met someone as stubborn as he was. By their conversation, it seemed there was no way Seb would take no for answer. Harry just hoped nothing would happen, that the Death Eaters wouldn't be able to somehow track Seb down at his new home with his temporary new parents and sister. Harry got up, stretched and decided to head in early tonight, this day had been very exhausting.

Harry caught Seb online over the next week a few times. It did feel good to know they could talk like friends now but in the back of Harry's mind he felt guilty about the closeness that was growing between the two. He brought it up every conversation but Seb shrugged it off. The night of July the second Harry asked him about it yet again.

Look, will you stop it already? Seb wrote to him. It's been done. We can't unknow each other Harry.

Harry replied back: I told you I can have your memory altered so that you can unknow me.

It took a couple minutes for Seb to respond. He finally did with- you really want to know why I don't want your godfather to come over to do that?

Of course, Harry wrote.

Because Harry, I don't like it. I don't like the fact that I'm a wizard who should have a wand and be out trying to get a job in the wizarding world now that I'm going to be nineteen. I don't like any reminders of what I'm missing out on. I know it sounds stupid but I hate feeling so powerless. I don't want to be tricked by my own kind. Do you know how horrible that sounds? I know this shouldn't be a choice but while I'm still a wizard, I feel I should still have a say. I already know you're worth dying for, so many people know that mate. I may not know you like your school friends do but I still know a bit. As you said, this is war, people live, people die.

Harry frowned as he read this a couple times. But you have no reason to die for me, he typed.

Yeah, you're on the 'good' side. I obviously want them to win over the Death Eaters. Please don't take away the last connection I have with the wizarding world away from me Harry, please.

Harry sighed as he rubbed his eyes in frustration before saying: You're making a mistake and a point at the same time so I suppose you win.

Seb sent a smiley. Thanks mate. You have no idea what it means to me.

Well I figured I'd be putting up the same fight if I was cut off from the world I belonged to as well, Harry wrote.

The conversation turned to Harry's birthday a half hour later. Harry didn't really think anything of it until Seb reminded him he was turning seventeen and would legally be able to do magic. This made Harry smile. At the end of the month he'd be able to have more resources and an easier access to everything and could finally get together with Hermione and Ron and start formulating plans to hunt down the remaining Horcruxes. He'd be able to play his role in the war at last.

Anything you're thinking of getting? Seb typed.

Harry ran a hand in his hair. He never put a lot of thought into gifts he wanted, especially his birthday. But there was one thing he was thinking about, something he thought would be a pretty small but really wicked thing to do come his seventeenth. But he never told anyone yet, he himself was still wondering if he truly wanted it.

Maybe one thing, Harry said.

Oh?

I don't even know if I want it. It's not really 'me'.

Is it an instrument? Seb asked excitedly.

Harry smiled. No. Something 'risky' maybe, something I could see you with since, well, it's the way you are.

How am I?

You're cool.

Well so are you.

Harry raised a brow as he typed, Not like you are, you're the kind of bloke girls want, a 'rebel.'

Seb asked what he wanted again. Harry smiled; there wasn't really any reason to not tell someone. He looked at his keyboard before writing down: A tattoo.

Seb replied back immediately with enthusiasm. That's great! Awesome! I have two myself. I actually got my first when I was seventeen too. That's a great idea Harry; you should tell your godfather and uncle about it so you can set everything up!

Harry gave a grim smile as he thought about his guardians. Remus would flat-out say no and Sirius, well, he himself had a few already and had gotten one months ago as a tribute to Cayden and himself. He might say yes. But there were still so many questions. He didn't even have a design or desired spot on his body. Plus he didn't fancy needles much and tattoos in the wizarding world surly weren't any less painful to get than Muggle means. But it felt right, it felt like the perfect way to mark that he was finally seventeen.

There's still a lot to think about Seb, Harry typed. It's just a little something I've been thinking about for a while now.

Well if you need anything just ask me. I have two. And hey, I know a bloke who does tattoos; he's great mates with the bass player of my band. His name is Mike.

Harry didn't feel comfortable getting one from someone he didn't know. He wrote back down: I'm getting tired. I have to think about it. Thanks though.

Harry got offline ten minutes later and gave a great yawn and stretched his arms as high as they could go. He still didn't know why he wanted something that he knew would be a pain to get but he felt like he should. He'd think about it later and try to talk to his guardians about it before his birthday.

The next day came by and Harry was currently in the middle of a headache. He sat on his bed rubbing his eyes. He had just gotten back from the Grangers practice after having his teeth both examined and his braces tightened by Daniel and to show how sorry the adults in the house felt for him, he was given Cayden. Sirius had to go to headquarters' (Snape never did turn up that one night), Remus couldn't be bothered in his room, and Helena was on the phone with her sister Jane who she felt was the best option to talk to their mother since she was the only sister of the three that wasn't a witch.

Harry sighed as Cayden moved about on his bed and patted Sabrina's thick fur. The constant movement of the bed was making Harry's head pound worse.

"Cayden… cut it out, my head hurts," Harry moaned finally.

Cayden didn't understand of course but pointed at his brother and cried, "Ahh!"

Harry put a pillow to his face.

"Ahhh! Ahh eee alala!" Cayden sang happily.

Why were babies born with such screechy voices? Harry asked himself desperately.

"Ablah! Ablah! Ahh, ablah!"

Now Sabrina was making small meows.

"Sabby doesn't like it when you pat her that hard," Harry told the baby, pillow still on his face. "Sabby will hurt you."

Cayden only giggled and poked at the cat again. Harry wondered how she could be so calm at times.

"Sabby will hurt you soon enough, Sabby wants to be left alone- as do I," Harry added to himself.

"Ahh! Sa! Sa! Sablah! Sablah!" Cayden bounced. "Sabby! Sabby!"

Harry tore off his pillow from his face and quickly sat up. "What did you just say?"

Cayden looked up at his brother, finger in his mouth looking thoroughly confused. Harry frowned and picked up his cat. "Who's this Cayden?"

Cayden looked at Harry then at the cat and smiled. "Ah!"

"No not me, her. Who is this? Who's the kitty?"

"Sab!"

Harry cocked half a grin. "Yeah? What's her name? What's Sabby's name?"

"Sabby!"

Harry whooped and let go of his cat and picked up his brother. "Hey! Look at you buddy! Look at you! You're talking!"

"Sabby!" Cayden looked over to the cat.

Harry only smiled and hurried out his room to find Helena. He waited a couple minutes until she got off the phone downstairs.

"Harry! I'm sorry I dumped Cayden on you once again but"-

"'Lena, Cayden just said his first word!" Harry beamed.

"He what?" she gasped.

"Yeah! Come upstairs"-

Harry ran into his room and stood by Sabrina who was currently grooming herself.

"Cayden, who's that? Who's that?" he pointed to the feline.

"Sablh! Sablah," Cayden babbled.

"Yeah, who is it? Who's Sabby?"

"Sabby!" Cayden squealed.

"Cayden! Oh my big boy!" Helena smiled and took her son from Harry. She kissed his plump cheek. "My big boy! Your first word!"

"You guys, I really need concentration"- Remus said heavily as he stepped into the room.

"Remus, Cayden just said his first word!" Helena smiled.

"He did what?"

"Look- Cayden, who's that?" Helena pointed to the cat.

Cayden looked at his mother and showed off his three teeth and poked her nose. "Ab!"

"Well he did a moment ago," Helena faltered.

"Cayden, who's that? Where's Sabby?" Harry tried.

Cayden bounced. "Sabby!"

Remus smiled. "Wow, someone's getting big now isn't he?" he kissed the boy near his temple. "Good job Cade."

The news that Cayden was now 'talking' seemed to go over better than he was walking or maybe it was just the fact that he was finally doing both. Sirius was elated when he found out and insisted Harry bring down Sabrina into the family room that night just so Cayden could repeat the cat's nickname ten more times. Of course being a cat she didn't stay long and soon walked out the room. Sirius hugged his son to him.

"My big boy, walking and talking already! And all before your first birthday!"

Harry smiled as he played Wizard Chess with Remus. It felt good to know something so simple could bring such happiness in such dark times. Yet it tinged Harry with sadness, knowing Death Eaters were probably across the street right now… so close to them, to ruin the life of an innocent little boy… Harry gripped his wand in his pocket, the sooner he turned seventeen the better.

Harry was counting down the days to his birthday before he went to bed each night. He sighed as he looked at the month of July on his Simpsons calendar. Fourteen, only fourteen more days and he would finally be able to kick his ideas surrounding the Horcruxes in high gear without anyone stopping him. But it wasn't only that, he still had to talk about his birthday present to himself with his guardians. He had been thinking it over long and hard and he felt he really wanted that tattoo; it would be really cool no matter how painful it was to get. Plus he was sure Hermione would find it sexy. He bit his lip as he thought about finding Sirius and or Remus. Dinner had just ended so he figured at least one of them would be in the kitchen cleaning it up. He took a deep breath, told himself this is what he wanted to do, and opened his door and walked downstairs.

Harry let out a sigh as he entered the kitchen. It was his godfather; Sirius was alone by the sink, waving his wand around so the dirty dishes cleaned themselves. He was the one Harry knew would say yes.

"Um, Sirius?" Harry asked.

"What is it kiddo?" he asked. "Come to help out your old godfather?"

Harry gave off half a smile. "You don't really need it, you have a wand."

"Harry, just because I can use a wand now doesn't mean when you turn seventeen you can whip it out whenever you like," Sirius said wisely.

"Heh, didn't know I was talking to Mrs. Weasley."

Sirius raised his wand. "I'm being serious kid, no slacking off once you turn seventeen all right?"

"You know me; I'm not a slacker when it comes to cleaning up."

"True. So? What's on your mind Har?"

"Um… well about turning seventeen…"

"Yeah, I was going to ask you about it myself. It's a big birthday, we should start making plans."

"You don't need to…"

"Yes we do. This is going to be the most memorable July in my life. Both my sons are going to be having hugely significant birthdays. Cayden's going to turn one and you're going to turn seventeen!" Sirius smiled and ruffled Harry's hair.

"Yes well, I suppose you can count this as a 'plan' then. You see, there's something I kinda…want for my birthday," Harry began.

"Go ahead," Sirius said pleasantly and turned around to float the used glasses in the sink now.

Harry rubbed the back of his neck. He didn't know how he should say this. "Um, well, it's pretty big."

"Big? What do you plan on getting? A tiger?" Sirius joked.

"Not quite. You see… I was sort of kicking around the idea of getting, well- a- a tattoo," Harry trailed nervously.

Sirius turned around now. He had half a smile on his face. "You're kidding right?"

"Why?"

Sirius' smile grew. "That's something I thought I'd never hear you say. C'mon kid, we all know you don't fancy needles a whole lot."

"Well I know that but I still want one."

Sirius was smiling if possible, wider. "No you don't Har."

Harry frowned. "Why not?"

Sirius chuckled. "You're joking, no way does my godson Harry Potter, who hates needles, want a tattoo."

"I do so, and I don't hate them."

"They still make you flinch," Sirius said fairly. "Besides, this is all a joke. A funny one if I do say so myself." He winked at Harry then turned back to the dishes.

"This isn't a joke!" Harry argued. "I really do want a tattoo! I think it'll be really cool!"

Sirius turned off the faucet and set aside his wand, hands on his knees. "Tell that to my face, without smiling."

"I want to get a tattoo for my birthday," Harry told Sirius, not blinking or smiling.

Sirius looked at Harry, studying him for any signs of joking. He didn't spot any. He stood to full height. He frowned. Finally- "No."

"What?"

"No, you will not get a tattoo for your birthday."

"Why not?" Harry's voice had gone high now.

"You don't need one. They're dangerous Harry even in the wizarding world. One false move of the wand and the whole thing can turn out wrong. And in the Muggle world, you never know if the needles they're using are safe. You don't want to ruin your young skin with permeate ink."

"Well what about you? You have three don't you?"

Sirius frowned. "They were mistakes."

"Even the one with both my name and Cayden's you got months ago?"

"You are not getting a tattoo!" Sirius repeated.

"You have no reason for me not to!"

"I already told them to you. You're going to be seventeen Harry, that's way too young to get one."

"No it's not! Seb got a tattoo when he was seventeen!"

Sirius was glaring now. "He talked you into this didn't he? I knew that boy was odd."

"You've never even met him and no, he didn't talk me into it."

"Well he has piercings and dresses in black doesn't he?"

"You're really going to judge a bloke by how he looks?"

"I will if he's feeding bad ideas into my son yes," Sirius responded.

"He's not! I can think for myself!" Harry was glaring hard as well.

"You are not, I repeat, not getting a tattoo young man."

"Don't 'young man' me, I'm not turning five," Harry growled.

Sirius took a step in front of Harry. "I don't care if you are turning five or fifty, you will listen to me as I am in charge of you. Any back talking and you're in your room."

"I spend all day in it anyway so who cares?"

Sirius grabbed hold of Harry's arm and steered him out the kitchen. "To your room, now. We'll discuss this tomorrow."

"What's the point? You already said no," Harry said.

"Don't make me do anything I regret Harry, your room- now," Sirius said firmly.

Harry glared at him hard but took his arm out of Sirius' grip and slammed his door behind him. He angrily kicked aside a pillow that was on his floor.

What a complete hypocrite! Harry's mind screamed. He has no logical reason to say no! Who is he to say no anyway? He has three! One you know he got when he was eighteen! It's my decision not his. I'll be of age; I'll be able to get one then no problem. Hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite! Harry thought to himself over and over again as he paced his room.

Around an hour later Harry heard a knock at his door and saw a head popped in. He rolled his eyes at Remus.

"Hey cub, may I come in?"

"Doesn't matter."

"All right then." Remus stepped in and closed the door partially. He sat next to Harry. "So, what's all this shouting I heard about you wanting a tattoo?"

Harry shrugged. "Sirius is making it a bigger deal than it is, he said"-

"Hey, calm down or I won't be able to hear you out. You shouldn't place all the blame on him you know," Remus said fairly.

"He's the one being dramatic about the whole thing. He won't give me one good reason why"-

"Back it up. First off, why do you want one?"

"Doesn't matter now," Harry grumbled.

"Why do you want one?" Remus repeated as if Harry hadn't spoken.

Harry shrugged. "I just do. It's something I've been thinking about for months now. I thought it would be a really wicked idea to celebrate my coming of age. I don't want a big party or some expensive gift; I want to get something I think is cool, something that has meaning you know?"

"Do you have a design picked out already?"

"Well, not really. I have ideas but, nothing more."

"You think having ink imbedded in your skin would be a good idea?" Remus asked lightly.

"Yeah. I'm not stupid, I'm going to make sure whoever does it is safe and uses sterilized needles or- or however you do it in our world," Harry grumbled.

"I'm not saying you're stupid Harry."

"Sirius is."

"He's just concerned about you cub."

"What's to be concerned about? I know what I want! I'll be seventeen! Both you and Sirius knew when you adopted me almost two years ago you wouldn't be looking out for me for long," Harry explained.

"Well, even when you turn seventeen, do you plan on moving out? Leaving us behind?"

Harry scratched his ear. "No…"

"You are our kid, this is our house, you should respect your guardians' decisions and rules until then."

Harry sighed and began to stroke Sabrina nearby. "What does this have to do with tattoos Remus?"

"Oh nothing, just asking around. So, you want a tattoo then? You have some ideas?" Remus asked.

"Yeah…"

"Would you show me?"

Harry looked at him but gave off half a smile and hurried off to his computer where he picked up a folder and sat back down. He opened it to reveal several pictures he had either copied from magazines or pictures or printed up online.

"See? None of them are even big and they all show off who I am, what I like, what I want to live for. Sirius has a tattoo with Cayden and mine's initials, showing off what obviously keeps him going. Why can't I do the same?" Harry didn't mean to sound like he was whining but he really wanted to know.

Remus rubbed his chin. "I don't see the harm in showing off what you want to live for. And you're right; none of them are really big. Except this one of the red dragon," he pointed out.

Harry smiled. "Yeah well, I thought it looked cool that's all."

Remus sighed and looked at Harry. "You sure this is what you want?"

"I am. I've had like, six months or so to think it over."

"You do know both the Muggle and wizard methods are painful?"

"I know. I think I'll be able to take it."

Remus was giving him a small smile. "Do you only want one to impress Hermione?"

"No," Harry said truthfully. "Although I'm sure it will only be a plus. I want it for me."

"I do agree seventeen is a bit young. I know if your mother were alive she absolutely wouldn't hear a word of it and that'd be that." He sighed and ran a hand in his graying gold hair. "I will have to think it over for now. I'm sure you put a lot of thought into it but Sirius and I still have the final word. I don't want to be the one to listen to you and only you and disregard what Sirius has to say. I can only play 'good cop' so often."

"Funny, I thought you were the sterner one of the house," Harry smiled.

Remus smiled as well. "Well… certain circumstances come up… I'll think about it first, and then I would like you to explain everything to Sirius and have him listen. I'll supervise as we all know by now Sirius is not really the 'listening' type." He got to his feet and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You hear me all right?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah. Thanks Moony, at least you know how to listen."

Remus gave a grim smile. "It's part of being shy at times, I tend to listen more than I talk. Get some sleep soon cub."

Harry nodded and Remus shut the door. Harry took one last look at the various pages of designs he had chosen before slipping it inside his bedside table and getting ready for bed. He hated to put Remus in the same position all the time, he was right, he could only take Harry's so often before everyone became enraged. He hoped he hadn't put any pressure on him this time around; Sirius could be just as stubborn to talk to as Harry.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter as I had writing it. It's one of my favorites overall, it shows Harry 'going through the motions' with normality one of the last times before things take a dramatic turn. I also see Harry with some kind of tattoo, do you?

Magical love: Rose