(Author's notes)

Hello again! Once again, another short yet (I hope) sweet chapter of the father/son moments shared between Harry and Sirius.

(Story)

About a half-mile away from the river bank where Sirius and Harry were playing, a small house resided next to the river. An old grey Chevy Ranger truck was parked in the gravel driveway along with Sirius's bike. Sirius himself was sitting on the porch keeping watch on his and Harry's clothes that were drying on the clothesline in the yard. Then he eventually turned his attention toward the river, lost in his thoughts. Sirius shifted in his seat as he fixed the sweatpants and t-shirt that were too big for him. He then returned his attention back to the river. He then heard the screen door opening and a giant hand softly land on his shoulder, drawing him out of his thoughts. Sirius glanced up at a gently smiling man holding a steaming mug.

"Here you go Sirius. I know that it's spring, but staying in cold water that long can still catch up to you with a nasty cold. Harry's tea is warming up now." The man said. Sirius took the mug greedily.

"Thanks a bunch Remus." Sirius said as he took a sip from the mug, feeling the warm, yet sweet, tea go down his throat. He sighed as he felt the warmth spread across his chest. Remus himself heaved a heavy sigh as he steadily sat himself in the chair across from Sirius. Sirius then looked up from his mug as he glanced at his old friend.

Remus looked more terrible every time Sirius saw him. The scars on his face were getting deeper with each transformation and he knew the rest of his gash scars were no better. His thinning hair was speckled with more greys in them, and they were even starting to appear on his scraggly goatee. His cheekbones were starting to show and dark bags were forming underneath his eyes.

Sirius's pity for his friend was interrupted, however, when the screen door opened again and a towel wrapped Harry shyly peeked out.

"Remus…a-are you sure that you're ok with me borrowing your clothes while mine dry?" Harry politely asked. Remus opened his eyes and smiled as his leaned in his seat toward the boy with folded hands.

"Harry, I've told you already that it's fine. Now go back inside and get dressed so that you can have your tea Harry." Remus gently assured Harry.

"Ok. I'll be back out here in a few minutes Dad." Harry exclaimed at he walked back inside.

"All right." Sirius replied. Sirius then chuckled a bit once Harry was gone.

"Honestly Remus, I really am sorry to have to do this to you so suddenly, especially with the moon being so close. I had no idea that the water would be that cold in the middle of spring!" Sirius said. Remus just shook his head.

"It's no problem my friend. Besides, I'm glad whenever I get the chance to see you and Harry." Remus said with another reassuring smile. A few moments passed by, then Remus's smile began to disappear.

"But…he's still calling you 'Dad' Sirius. That shows me that you haven't told him the truth yet." Remus started to scold. Sirius avoided his friend eyes and gazed back at the river at Remus continued.

"Sirius…he gets his letter to Hogwarts this upcoming summer! And you know that Dumbledore is going to address it as 'Potter' rather than 'Black'! And guess what's going to happen once he gets the letter and goes without any answers? His fame in our world will catch up to him in one overwhelming force and he's not going to know why or how to deal with it! Sirius…you have to tell Harry the truth…and you have to tell him soon…" Remus said. Sirius then shook his head after a few moments.

"I know Remus! I know…and I promise that I'll tell him before his letter comes. It's just that…" Sirius drifted off a bit as he turned around and saw a now dressed Harry in large sweatpants and shirts as he grabbed his mug of tea form the table.

"It's going to be hard…I've treated him like my own son all of these years. How would you tell someone after so long that you're not who you think they are? That they've been giving you the wrong…title…in their life? I'm terrified of that moment Sirius…that places much more fear into my heart that Voldemort ever could…" Sirius said sadly as he saw Harry move over toward the window of the side of the house. Remus just heaved a sigh and remained quiet, unsure of what to say.

Meanwhile, Harry was sipping his tea as he gazed out toward the river. First he would look at the river, and then shift his sight to his reflection, then the river again. He then turned his attention toward the porch where Sirius was. He saw his face through the window, and he could've sworn that he saw nothing but total sadness sin his face and eyes before it disappeared into a smile. Harry took a deep breath and slowly strolled over toward the door to join the two grown men.

Dad's been acting very strange lately. He's much more…sadder than usual…I hope that he tells me what wrong soon. I don't like to see Dad so upset like this.

(Author's notes)

Thank you to all of you who've favored or alerted my story! It really helps to keep me motivated to continue writing this story!