A World Without Voldemort

Chapter Five: Secrets and Acceptance

Sirius Black woke the next morning with a sore lower back and several hickeys dotting his neck, collarbone and more personal areas. He and his new lover had been at it several times the previous night. Regardless of his age (he was in his late thirties) he could still get it up there and go multiple times. 'Though I might have to limit myself if my exhaustion is anything to go by,' he thought to himself. Looking over at his still sleeping lover he smiled. Remus had never looked so happy, so peaceful and so at ease than he did at that moment. Sirius decided right then and there that he could certainly get used to waking up every morning to find such a sight by his side.

Remus chose that moment to wake up; his eyes opened ever so slowly so as to become accustomed to the light. Blinking rapidly a few times, wiping his hand across his eyes and stretching his arms and legs he looked right at Sirius and smiled. "Morning," was the only word that left Remus' mouth. "Morning to you as well love; care for some coffee?" After receiving a nod from Remus Sirius smiled, gave a chaste kiss to Remus' lips and then pulled a bathrobe on and left the bedroom to the smile kitchen inside their apartment. The kitchen comprised of mainly muggle things: a stove-top/oven, microwave, refrigerator and a coffee maker (Remus had insisted on the latter). Sirius took the jug from the coffee machine and brought it over to the sink to fill it with water. He then poured the water into the receptacle at the back of the machine. Pulling out the can filled with grinded coffee he brought it over and put two scoops into a second receptacle in the front (though not before changing the filter). After plugging the machine in he pressed the start button and listened to the whirring and gurgling sounds it made.

"You smell better than coffee," a husky voice said near Sirius' ear. Sirius jumped in surprise to find himself face to face with Remus who was struggling to keep a straight face. Sirius growled and said, "Not funny Moony!" Remus raised an eyebrow and said, "Really? I found it quite amusing." Remus then wrapped his arms around Sirius' waist and kissed Sirius softly and tenderly. Sirius smiled as they parted and asked in almost a whisper, "Do I taste better than coffee?" Remus chuckled and said, "Hard to say." Sirius snorted in mock indignation and stuck out his tongue…which Remus proceeded to nip.

As the morning progressed the two ate breakfast and drank two or three cups of coffee each. Today was January 1st, 2000; the start of the new millennium according to the muggle news. As the two ate they talked about all that would be occurring this year, including Harry's eleventh birthday and the start of his first year at Hogwarts. "Prongslet must be excited about that prospect. The heir to the Marauder throne returning to Hogwarts to continue the mayhem," Sirius said. Remus chuckled and said, "Soon we won't be able to call him Prongslet anymore. James was adamant that he wanted Harry to step out of his shadow and be his own Marauder." Sirius looked at him expectantly. "Does that mean I get to teach him how to find his Animagus form and help him achieve it?" Remus shook his head. "I'm afraid Lily said no to that one. Harry will have to wait until he comes of age to become an Animagus." Sirius looked absolutely crestfallen as he whined, "But its tradition! Why can't we show him how to become an Animagus?" Remus smiled lovingly as he said, "The only reason you lot did that was to keep me company during the full moon. Harry doesn't have that excuse; he'd only be doing it for the sake of rule breaking. Sorry pads." Sirius sighed and said, "Oh all right."

The two sat in silence for a few more minutes until a thought came to Sirius, something he was surprised hadn't come to him before. "Remus, love, what are we gonna say to James, Lily, Harry and the others?" Remus gave a confused look and asked, "About what?" "About us. Do we want to tell the rest of the family or what? Personally I'm okay with telling them, though Harry will be difficult, the lad is only ten and hasn't had the Talk for Merlin's sake! But if you're not comfortable with that I will totally understand." Remus was absolutely stunned by this. Back in school Sirius had always had a 'don't ask, don't tell' policy about his relationships. But now Sirius was willing to come out if Remus deigned it necessary. It touched him to no end and so was not surprised when tears began to fall from his eyes.

Sirius saw his lover crying and so rushed over to his side and held him tightly. He began to kiss each and every tear that streaked across Remus' cheeks while whispering sweet nothings of comfort into his ear. Remus finally looked up at him and said, "Thank you Sirius. You have no idea how much this means to me." Sirius smiled and asked, "So, does this mean we tell 'em?" Remus chuckled and said, "Sure, why the hell not. But not right away, we'll tell them tonight at dinner. Lily's and James' parents are coming over." Sirius nodded and said, "Works for me!"

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A knock sounded from the door of the Potter's home in Godric's Hallow. "Harry, dear, could you get that. It should be your grandparents." Harry nodded as he walked over to the door and opened it to find his mothers parents there! He ran and jumped into his grandmother's arms who just laughed and squeezed him tight. After releasing her he gave the same treatment to his grandfather before bringing them in and leading them to the kitchen. Lily gave her parents hugs and sat them down in the living room with drinks in their hands. Just as Lily's mother, Veronica Evans, brought her glass to her lips the fireplace in front of them burst in green flame and out of it popped two men. After dusting each other off the two of them noted their current company.

"Sorry about that Mrs. Evans I'll have you dried up in a jiffy," Remus said as he waved his wand over Veronica's lap and dried up the spilt drink. It still amazed the Evans that Witches, Wizards and magic existed in their world. "So, Sirius, Remus, our son-in-law here tells us that you two are still working in the Ministry. How're things going for each of you?" Sirius started up first; "Well, we've just finished writing up regulations for Bludger velocity; too many incidents involving bones being smashed to bits by Bludger impact. We hope that be slowing them down just a bit we can decrease the severity of any injuries. We've also heard rumors of a new broom coming into our hands for testing." Harry, ever vigilant of Quidditch gossip said, "You wouldn't be happening to mean the Nimbus 2000 do you?" James, Sirius and Remus looked at him with grins on their faces. "You bet'cha pup; their calling it the fastest broom yet," Sirius boasted. Veronica and Mitchell Evans both grinned at the look on Harry's face, their Grandson loved flying, and it was natural that he would be attracted to fast things. Mitchell chuckled and then looked over to Remus asking, "And what about you m'boy? How's the good fight going?" Remus smiled and said, "Well, we've managed to mass produce the Wolfsbane potion and have made it easily accessible to any and all werewolves. Most of the clans are taking to this quite well while others think it is all a plot to 'domesticate' and 'tame' werewolves. I'll probably have to speak before these clans before the summer to reassure them of our intentions." Veronica gave a firm nod to Remus and said, "We believe in you sweety."

Eventually James' parents arrived and everyone gathered around the table to eat. As they ate each and every one of the table's occupants got to catch-up with everyone else. "How is Petunia mum? Last I heard she and her husband Dursley were living happily with their son over in Surrey." Veronica and Mitchell Evans both nodded, but their expressions were one of exasperation. Neither of them had really liked Vernon Dursley, or how he and Petunia spoiled their son. "Yes, their living quite happily in Little Winging. Dudley's about Harry's age, but a bit of a brat. They spoil him too much," Veronica said. Mitchell nodded in agreement and added, "Nothing good will come of spoiling a child so much."

Throughout the rest of the meal conversations continued. As this went on Lily noticed a subtle change in the behavior between Remus and Sirius. The two were continuously giving each other rather peculiar looks. They were the same type of looks she and James had shared when they first started dating. Finally putting two and two together Lily grinned at this new realization. She almost broke down in laughter when she saw Sirius wipe off a bit of food from the corner of Remus' mouth with his finger and then but that finger in his mouth. No one else seemed to notice as they were listening to Harry talking about Hogwarts and the fact he'd be going there after the summer. 'I'm glad those two are together. They deserve each other and, more importantly, need each other,' she thought to herself.

Eventually dinner ended and Lily's parents said their goodbyes before heading back to their home. James, Harry Sirius and Remus were now in the den, each complaining about their stomachs hurting while Lily charmed the kitchen and dining room to clean itself. Once she returned she sat herself done next to James and looked over to Remus and Sirius expectantly. The two men looked at each other for a second. Sirius was the first to speak, "Remus and I have something to tell you guys; something that happened last night." "We ask that you hear us out and that you promise not to get upset or anything," Remus continued. After a few seconds Sirius said, "Me and Remus are together." The room was dead-silent for a second. James and Harry wore matching expressions of confusion while Lily looked pleased. Eventually the silence was interrupted by James and Harry both going, "Huh?" Lily broke down laughing while Sirius and Remus smiled sheepishly. After Lily finished laughing Lily said to James and Harry, "Sirius and Remus are now boyfriends." James' face finally showed understanding, though Harry still looked confused. "I thought only girls called the guys they liked 'boyfriends'." Remus got up and knelt before Harry and said, "Sometimes cub, people find themselves falling in love with people the same gender as them. It is completely acceptable despite what others might say. Sirius and I have found that we love each other and are going to attempt a relationship." Harry seemed to think about this for a second before finally smiling and saying, "Okay!" Remus smiled before hugging Harry and then joining Sirius on the couch. Sirius had an impish grin on his face and said, "Well, now that the cat is out of the bag…" He then wrapped his arms around Remus, pulled himself on to his alpha's lap and began to snog him.

The three Potters looked absolutely embarrassed and so slipped out to give the two their privacy.

End Chapter 5