...

Harry's second birthday, Sirius supposed, was much like his first. The main difference was that James and Lily were not there to share it with them. It was a quiet event; just the three of them in this case whereas last year Lily, James and Peter had also been in attendance. There were brightly coloured decorations that danced around the room. Actually dancing; Sirius had Charmed them to do so. Remus had told him it was over the top, but Sirius thought they were fun and they kept Harry more than entertained if the delighted squeals of the birthday boy were anything to go by. Even one of Harry's presents was the same as last year: a broomstick.

Sirius was not happy. Did Remus not know how dangerous those things were? How many times had James got injured when on one? Well Sirius was not letting Harry fly it. Even if Harry was excited and had yet to let it go since tearing off the wrapping paper. Damn James and his damn flying genes that he had clearly passed onto Harry. Why could he have not got the sane I'm-not-going-near-that-death-trap gene off Lily?

"I thought we decided we weren't getting him a broom?"

"Hmm, no? You decided that you didn't want him getting a broom. I thought it was a good idea. You got him one last year after all." Remus slipped an arm around Sirius waist and gave him a quick kiss. Things were slowly getting back to how they had been between them and Sirius was glad. He let Remus decide how quickly things progressed, which, unfortunately, were slower than Sirius had hoped. Although, persistence, patience and puppy dog eyes (both as Sirius and Padfoot) had helped nudge things along.

"That was different."

"How?"

"It just was. Harry, no!" Sirius slipped out of Remus' arms and wrestled the broom off Harry who had been trying to mount the floating broom that hovered just above the ground.

"Sirius," Remus admonished. "Which one of us owns a flying motorbike?"

"You know everything I own is yours as well, Remus."

Remus sighed and rubbed his forehead in despair. "Fine, which one of us not only flies a flying motorbike, but takes Harry on it?"

"I do. But he's safe with me."

"Sirius, the motorbike is more dangerous than that broom will ever be. It hovers, at most, a foot above the ground and moves more slowly than Slughorn after Christmas dinner. Do you think I would buy him something dangerous?"

"No. I suppose not." Sirius lowered the broom to the ground and Harry tried to grab hold of it once more, but Sirius did not relinquish his grasp.

"Look at Harry." Sirius did and saw the excitement in his eyes at having been given a broom once more. "What would James say?"

"That I'm an idiot." Sirius sighed. "That I should be encouraging Harry to become the World's best Quidditch player and to stop being such a woman about it. Only he wouldn't say woman if Lily was listening because she'd hex his balls off."

"Exactly. So give Harry his birthday present back."

Sirius did. He watched as Harry clambered on and flew slowly around the living room. Remus was right. It did not fly that fast or that high. Harry did not appear to be in any danger and Sirius had never seen him so happy.

"I've been thinking..."

"Bit dangerous don't you think, Remus? Make sure you don't strain something."

"That would be if you were to be thinking. Not me." Remus glared at Sirius good-naturedly. "But if you're going to mock me, I don't think you get to know about it."

"About what?"

"I've been thinking that, maybe later, we move my stuff into your room permanently? It can be our room. Only if you want to of course."

"If I want to? Of course I want to! Can we do it now?" Sirius flung himself and Remus and hugged him tightly and rained kisses all over his face.

"Down puppy!" Remus laughed. "I've spent more time in your room than I have my own anyway for the last month. We might as well make it official. We'll move everything after we've cut the cake."

"Cake? I love cake."

"I love you."

...

"What would you say if I told you I wanted to work?"

"I'd say: Sirius Black wanting to work! Is the world ending?"

Sirius huffed and made to sit up from where he lay with his head resting in Remus' lap as he read. Remus pulled him back down and continued to thread his fingers through Sirius' soft black hair. Since Harry's birthday, any residual hesitancy had gone, now they were back to being as comfortable as ever with one another.

"Stop moving. I'd say: Sirius, if it gets you out of the house I'm all for it. Looking after Harry is not enough for you and you're like a caged animal trapped in here."

"You don't think it would be too dangerous?"

"It's not as though you'd be taking Harry with you. I suppose you want me to stay with him whilst you work?"

"Well if it's ok with you of course."

"Of course it is. You know how much I love him."

"Do you not want to work too?"

Remus sighed. "You know I do. I don't have much of a choice though. One of us has to stay with Harry and of the two of us, you are more likely to be able to keep a job and earn enough money to keep a roof over our heads. Your uncle's money won't keep us going forever and I'm almost through the money I got for my parents' house."

Sirius jerked into a sitting position, this time Remus did not have the time to pull him back down before Sirius had turned to face him. "What? You sold it? Why did you do that?"

Remus shrugged but did not look up from his book to address the other man. "I needed the money. It's not like I'm living there anymore. Where did you think I was getting money from to buy things?"

"From our account at Gringott's, you know the one I gave you the key to years ago."

"You know I don't like living off you."

"Remus," Sirius said very slowly, "put the book down and look at me." Remus grumbled, but did as Sirius asked.

"Yes, Sirius?"

"You're telling me that everything you've bought for the house and Harry and me you paid for out of your inheritance?"

"Yes."

"Why? Why not just use the money I said we could share?"

"You know I hate using your money. I hate being indebted to you."

"For Merlin's sake Remus! Take my money! Use my money! You know it means nothing to me, but your parents' house, it meant something to you."

"I'm sure they'd be more than happy to know I was using it to raise the closest thing to a grandchild they would have ever had. I don't regret how I spent my money Sirius. Don't regret it for me, it's not worth it."

"Fine. Just use the account money from now on, alright? I want you to. Swallow your pride for once."

"I'd rather just have my own job and money."

Sirius sighed and pressed a gentle kiss to Remus mouth. "I know and if I could do anything so that you could have one I would. You could do anything with that mind of yours."

"I know you would." Remus pulled Sirius down for another kiss. A deeper kiss. "I love you for it, but right now the wizarding world is not ready for it."

"How about you teach Harry? I know you always wanted to be a professor. You're already teaching him to read and write. Why not start up with magical theory when he's old enough for it? I won't pay you for it, but, you know, we could just share my money like it was your wages too. How does that sound?"

"I was going to do that anyway, as well you know, but I suppose it's better than nothing."

"Good. Now Professor Lupin, how about you teach me some things upstairs?" Sirius smirked and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

Remus laughed. "Oh, I don't know Sirius. Not really sure if there's anything I can teach you in that respect."

Sirius grinned.

"You're a lost cause."

"Hey!" Sirius protested as he swatted playfully at Remus. "I'll show you a lost cause." He grabbed Remus and hoisted him over his shoulder. Remus' laughter shook his body as Sirius carried him up to their room.

...

Sirius wanted to be a healer. Not many people knew this. Remus did. James had. But no one else had ever been let in on this piece of information. Most assumed that Sirius would want a high risk job: working with dragons, breaking curses or even chasing dark wizards. However, Sirius knew that as fun as those jobs would be, they were not meant for him. The first time he had healed Remus after a full moon he had known what he was meant to do.

It had been in their fourth year. Before the Marauders had perfected the Animagus transformations, but long after they had discovered Remus' secret. Every month the three of them had rushed out as the moon set so that they could help Remus up to see Madame Pomfrey. One month was particularly bad. Remus had not managed to make it to the bed; his unmoving form was slumped on the dusty floor of the Shrieking Shack as his body spilled what little blood it still contained. Peter had run from the room and thrown up his meal from the night before. James had clutched the door, his face sapped of colour and looking as though he was the one who had been drained of his blood. Sirius had rushed to Remus' side and done what he could to heal the self-inflicted wounds. When they had managed to get him to the infirmary they had been told Sirius' actions had saved Remus' life.

To save lives was the only career Sirius now felt comfortable to pursue. Unfortunately, he would have to train before he could be of much use. With the training there was little money and long hours, but he did not mind. As long as he could arrange his schedule around the full moon so that Remus would not be left alone with Harry, he was content. He had Remus and Harry to come home to and that was all he needed.

...

Peter was living a life better than he ever thought possible as a rat: all the food he could eat, a roof over his head and safety from prying eyes. He had grown fat and lazy over the years, but that did not bother him. Life was so much simpler as a rat and he did not want for anything. As a human he would have needed to have a job by now. He would have to provide for himself. This was so much better.

In a few years he would even get the chance to go to Hogwarts again. The place he had been happiest in his life. Before the war had truly affected them. Before he had succumbed to the lure of the Dark Lord and betrayed his friends. He did not feel remorse for his actions; Peter was rather pleased with how his life had turned out. Other than being in hiding, he had everything he ever needed.

...

When Harry was ready, Sirius explained to him about his parents' deaths. He explained the war. Told the young boy about Voldemort. Even tried to explain the prophecy, the Fidelius Charm and Peter's betrayal. Harry did not fully understand and Sirius knew it would not be the only time he would have to relive the final few years of James and Lily's lives, but he would relive it as many times as he needed to so that he could keep them alive for Harry.

When Harry questioned why his Uncle Sirius and Uncle Remus did not have wives like in his story books, Sirius explained to him that love came in many forms. He explained that it was still love. Told Harry how not everyone accepted what he and his Uncle Remus had together, but that it did not stop them from feeling that way. Even tried to explain how Harry's mum and dad had helped them get together. Harry told him that he loved his uncles exactly how they were.

When Harry wanted to know about his parents, Sirius told him how they met. He explained how Lily used to hex James, yet James still loved her. Told Harry how eventually James had grown up enough for Lily to give him the time of day and how from then onwards they were inseparable. Even told Harry about some of the pranks James had pulled to try and win Lily's affections. All had backfired of course, but Harry was more than happy to listen.

When Harry went to Remus and comforted him after a full moon, Sirius watched. He smiled as Remus explained that he would be well again soon, that he was sorry for worrying the boy. Sirius did not tell Harry about Remus' condition. That was for Remus to tell. Remus did explain. For the second time in his life, Sirius listened to the story of the attack and how Remus coped as a child with his affliction. For the first time in his life, Sirius listened to the story of how the Marauders helped Remus when he thought no one ever would. When Sirius showed Harry Padfoot, the boy looked at Remus and promised one day he would do the same. That he would help Remus when he transformed just as Sirius did. Sirius watched as Remus hugged the boy to himself and tears of gratitude filled his eyes. He listened as Remus told Harry that he truly was James' son and that his father would be proud.

...

"Sirius!" The man had barely stepped through the door before he was met with his arms full of excitable Remus. Although it was not uncommon for Remus to be glad of his lover being home, it was unusual for Remus to be this eager. Remus' control over his emotions was well known. A moment later Remus was out of his arms and had thrust a magazine under his nose. "Look!"

Whatever it was must be important to have Remus this excited. It was rare indeed for Remus to be reduced to single words. Sirius looked at the article with interest. "Wolfsbane?"

"I can keep my mind when I transform. I won't be a danger anymore. It isn't a cure, but how wonderful would it be for me to not have to fear escaping and hurting someone?" Sirius could see tears of joy shimmering in Remus' eyes. "I wouldn't be a danger." He repeated as though trying to convince himself it was real.

Sirius pulled him into a tight embrace, his own excitement building. "That's wonderful! Can we buy it? Is it expensive? No, wait. That doesn't matter. Whatever the cost we'll buy it. Anything for you."

"It's still in the testing stages, but it looks promising. With any luck it will be available to buy soon enough or maybe even just how to brew it. You'd make it for me wouldn't you? You know I can't be trusted with potions."

"Of course I'd make it for you. Do you know how long it will be before it will be available?"

"Well it's being tested by the Ministry at the moment, the article says, so within the year I hope."

"Then we'll be the first in line to get it. I promise."

...

"I'm not going."

"I didn't say a word."

"But you're going to ask me to go, aren't you?"

"I think it would help you deal with what happened, yes." Remus fiddled idly with the corner of the Daily Prophet. Sirius did not need to look inside it to see what had caught Remus' attention that morning. After all, he had seen it first. His mother, the old hag, well not that old due to the joys of pure-blood inbreeding, had popped her clogs. Shuffled off this mortal coil. Was now sleeping with the fishes or any other cliché you wanted to throw at the fact she was dead.

"I don't need to deal with it. I'm perfectly fine," Sirius snorted.

"You burnt her name out of the obituary."

"She burnt mine off the tapestry!"

"This is supposed to show me you don't need to deal with this how?"

"I'm fine just how I am. They hated me and I hated them. That's all there is to it."

"Sirius," Remus sighed. Sirius folded his arms and refused to look Remus in the eye. If he looked, Remus would only say he was pouting. "Then use it as a chance to say goodbye to Regulus. Or just as a way to be free of them all forever. Just go, please."

"Why would I want to say goodbye to Reg? He was the worst of the lot of them. A Death Eater, Remus. My brother was a Death Eater. He didn't just prescribe to the pure-blood hatred they feed us as kids, he went and acted on it!"

"He made a mistake. You know he tried to get out and that's why he's gone. He regretted it, Sirius. You can't hold it against him forever."

"Well, he shouldn't have joined in the first place!"

"Oh, because at the age of sixteen you never did anything without thinking it through properly did you?" The pleading in Remus' voice had turned to anger. "You never left home and went to the Potters', you never thought it was funny to prank Severus, you never nearly made me a murderer? It must be another Sirius Black I'm thinking of then, if you think that at sixteen you were at the height of good decision making. Regulus never had the chance to show you who he could be."

"Please don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Compare one of the biggest mistakes of my life to him becoming a Death Eater. You know how much I regret it."

"I should give you the benefit of the doubt, but not you him? He tried to leave them. How many people do you think tried to do that, Sirius? How many were that brave? He was more like you than you are willing to admit."

"He was still an idiot."

"Yes."

"Maybe I don't hate him that much."

"No, you love him."

"I do not!"

"You don't remember what you said to me, do you? When you thought I was the spy, you told me that what you were worried about was having someone else you loved going over to him. You don't hate him. You hate that you couldn't save him."

"Still doesn't mean I want to go to her funeral." Sirius knew that he had lost the Regulus argument. Stupid Remus and his logic. Stupid Regulus for following the slimy Slytherin crowd. Stupid Sirius for not realising sooner.

"It doesn't matter what you want. You're going to stop behaving like a child or I'll start treating you like one. If you don't go, you're not allowed to go to Harry's birthday party next week."

"You can't keep me from my own godson's party, Remus."

"Try me."

"You wouldn't though, right?"

"You'll find out if you don't go."

"But he's only going to be five once!"

"He'll be five for the entire year."

"You won't even let me have cake will you?"

"Nope."

"Fine! I'll go, but only because it's mean to punish Harry for this. Not letting me go to his party is cruel to him too. I mean he wants to introduce me to those Muggle friends of his, I can't embarrass him if I'm not there." Sirius grinned to himself.

"On second thoughts, maybe you shouldn't go even if you do go to the funeral..."

...

"Sirius?"

"Yeah?" Damn, Remus was not supposed to be home this early.

"Please tell me that whatever that horrible smell is, it isn't you cooking. It smells foul and I'd like Harry to make it to his sixth birthday."

Sirius rushed around the kitchen in an attempt to hide what he was doing, but only ended up making it worse when he knocked a batch of freshly chopped ingredients to the floor. "Shit!" He mumbled to himself and cleaned them up with a wave of his wand. It had taken two hours to chop them correctly and now he was going to have to start again.

"Language!" Remus warned him as he came through the kitchen door. It was just beginning to get warm enough to be considered summer, if the weather in England could ever be thought of as summer, and Remus had traded in jumpers and trousers for t-shirts and... well still trousers, but since it had taken six years for him to even consider not wearing long sleeves in their dormitory at Hogwarts, Sirius thought it was progress enough to leave the house dressed in short sleeves. He hated that Remus hated his scars, and they had only gotten worse with time, but at least how he felt about them was not as bad as it had once been.

"He didn't hear me." Sirius said nodding in Harry's direction who, after they had entered the house, had collapsed on the sofa and was flicking through a book on Quidditch that had lots of moving pictures to keep his attention.

"What are you making anyway?"

"It was supposed to be a surprise." Sirius held out the piece of parchment he had been working off that was now splattered with bits of ingredients and only just legible. Just because he could brew potions, did not mean he was tidy about it. "I got it from someone at work, he knows that Belby guy. You know the one who invented Wolfsbane? So, I thought I'd give it a try."

"Well at least that explains the smell." Remus complained, but Sirius could see the smile in his eyes that was slowly spreading to his lips. "Thank you."

"I told you I would."

"Is it supposed to smoke like that? It doesn't look good."

"I think so. It's supposed to smoke a little when it's finished, but I've still got more to add."

"Will it be ready for this month, do you think?"

"As long as I can get it looking right by the end of today it should be fine. It needs to simmer for a day and then you have to take it every day for a week leading up to the full moon."

"You aren't going to poison me with this?"

"Trust me, I'm going over everything five times before I do anything and making sure all of the ingredients are prepared perfectly. I even made sure to buy the best of everything." Sirius let Remus pull him over to the other side of the kitchen and into a hug. He lay his head on Remus' shoulder just content to stand there and be held.

"Sometimes I wish Lily were here."

"Because she'd have been able to do this with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back whilst looking after Harry and James?"

"No, because she wouldn't have made this much of a mess in the kitchen."

...