Chapter 6
As Sirius dove deeper into Natural Magic he discovered that even wand based magic was rooted in the elements. And once you knew your element it effected every ounce of your magic. He was also surprised they taught the basics of Natural Magic in the daycare. Unlike in the rest of Wizarding World the Compound encouraged young children to practice and cultivate their magic even at a young age. Harry could barely talk and yet he was levitating stuff left and right. Sirius would have been slightly unhinged at the child's proficiency in magic if Aedan and Bjorn weren't displaying the same aptitude.
It was a cold weekend in December and Sirius and Harry bundled up and gone to play in the falling snow. It was three weeks till Christmas and Sirius had no idea what he was going to do. But, as usual Kathleen came to his rescue. She walked over with Aedan in hand with a big grin on her face and cheeks slightly flushed from the cold.
"A Tave there you are me and Brawin are booking a hotel in London for the Christmas Hols we were wondering if you and Julius would like to join us. Aatos and Bjorn are coming as well."
"Well Juls what do you think Christmas with Bjorn and Aedan?"
"Yah Pa Yeah!"
"I guess its settled then."
The two weeks seemed to fly by and Sirius was busy packing Harry and him up. He was slightly nervous at the thought of heading back to the heart of the British Wizarding World. He knew no one would be able to recognize him nor would they be able to undo his glamour but it was still scary. He shook it off and closed the suitcase.
"Ready to go are we Mucker?"
"Yeah Pa! Let's Go!"
He mussed up Harry's hair and they headed out the door. He saw the rest of their mismatched gang waiting outside snuggled in their winter cloaks.
"Hurry up their Tav! I want to get back to civilization!" laughed Aatos.
"Everyone ready! Hold on tight children!" smiled Kathleen.
The seven of them apparated right into the Leaky Cauldron. Sirius was hit with the distinct smell of Tom's pea soup. He shuddered at the memory. Him and James used to make bets saying the loser would have to eat an entire bowl full.
"Welcome to the Leaky Cauldron" smiled Tom giving them a toothless grin.
"Might as well have a bit of a drink before we head off." said Brawin
"I'll have a butterbeer someone has to watch the kids" laughed Kathleen
"I'll have what is the word for it in English Firewisky s'il vows plait?" said Sirius in his flawless French accent.
"Make that three." said Aatos before shooting Sirius a look.
"The kids will have pumpkin juice." said Brawin.
After Tom left the three adults turned to look at Sirius giving him questioning looks.
"Whats a matter Tav in the month I've known you, you've never searched for the word in English. Yours is usually flawless." said Kathleen.
"I don't like being put on the spot with it. At the compound there are many accents if I screw up people won't laugh." said Sirius trying to sound embarrassed.
"Ah you don't have to be embarrassed Tav your English is great," said Brawin.
After he had taken the first sip of his firewhisky he loosened up a bit. He had been nervous but after a month of faking the accent it came to him with ease. Harry on the other hand had started speaking with an accent that had a bit of British, Irish, French and Finnish. It was actually pretty hilarious to listen to the kid the little sponge he was. The three kids gibber gabbered as the adults laughed and exchanged jokes. They finished their drinks and headed out into Diagon Alley to do some Christmas shopping.
Sirius and Harry headed straight to the bookshop to pick out books for the other kids. They got a book of Irish fairytales for Aedan and a copy of the Tales of Beedle the Bard with Finnish and English translators for Bjorn. The two then went to a shop that sold little nicknacks and picked out a necklace with a celtic knot for Kathleen. It had been Harry's favourite of the lot. Then they bought a replica Viking boat that when put in water started to row for Aatos. The Finnish Wizard was very proud of his Viking heritage and particularly enjoyed the aspects of Natural Magic rooted in their culture. Brawin was a harder person to buy for, so Sirius settled on book enchanted to trace the owners family tree.
They met back at Florence's for some hot chocolate. They drank it up and Kathleen suggested she take the children to get presents for their parents while the men walked around. They headed immediately to the Quidditch Shop. The men looked around admiring the brooms and discussing quidditch tactics. It wasn't long before Kathleen and the boys showed up. Kathleen making a comment about boys and their toys. The group then headed back to the Leaky Cauldron before setting off for the hotel.
The hotel was in the heart of London it had twelve stories, a swimming pool, and restaurant. They made their way to the front desk children and bags in hand. Upon getting closer Sirius felt his breath catch in his throat. There sitting at the desk was his old friend Remus Lupin. The sandy-haired wizard was slowly turning grey and two distinct scratches marred his otherwise pleasant face. But, he looked tired man did he look tired. Brawin stepped up first saying he had a room booked under McLauggen.
"You are up on the 10th floor." smiled Remus passing Brawin a key and a wrist slip for Aedan to use the pool. Next was Aatos then finally Sirius. He took a deep breath.
"Reservation for Black" he said smoothly. Don't act suspicious he said to himself. Remus' head snapped up eyes taking in Sirius' features and those of the small boy with them.
"Black?" Remus asked.
"Is that a problem" said Sirius in his very best French accent.
"Sorry sir I grew up with many British Blacks any chance you are related"
"I wouldn't know the only thing my father gave me was that last name." he replied coldly. Remus looked immediately apologetic.
"Sorry sir just curious is all, you are also up on the 10th floor" said Remus handing him the key and wrist slip for Harry.
"Thank you, why don't we make our way up to our rooms shall we Julius."
"Mhmm Pa!"
"Wait Mr. Black, how old is your son?" asked Remus trying to sound inquisitive.
"He is a 1 1/2 he will turn 2 mid April. Why?"
"No reason" replied Remus. Sirius instinctively pulled Harry closer to him. Once upon a time he had loved Remus like a brother but until he could prove his innocence Remus was the enemy. He turned to join the rest of the group, Aatos threw an arm around Sirius and whispered in his ear.
"That was strange" Sirius nodded gravely.
"I don't like the looks he was giving Julius, Tav he seemed to soften after awhile but it was odd." said Kathleen. Over the past two months she had grown to love Harry as her own and Sirius had no doubt the Kathleen would fry anyone who tried to hurt Harry.
"Best to just ignore it, the English tend to be a suspicious folk." said Brawin and Sirius had to bite back a retort he was French not English.
"Lets just head up to the rooms guys."
They took the elevator to the 10th floor and decided that they should have a rest before deciding to do anything. Each went to their own separate rooms and as if on cue Harry let out a large yawn.
"Need a nap mucker?"
"Yes Pa!"
Sirius helped Harry change into a pair of pyjamas. Then tucked the child into bed giving him a light kiss on the cheek. He got up and walked towards the bathroom to take a shower when he heard a little voice.
"Pa?"
"Yes Julius?"
"Who that man downstairs?"
"I don't know" Sirius lied. He wanted to explain everything to the child but he couldn't risk Harry telling somebody he was much to young to be trusted with the details he was almost two and he was starting to parrot everything.
"But Harry knew him Pa!"
"Julius" said Sirius with a warning.
"Jul's name was Harry Pa" the child whined.
"You are right it was but now we call you Julius and only Julius."
"But why Pa why?"
Sirius sighed and walked back over to the bed sitting down beside the child.
"Because Jul it is important. Pa needs you to do this for him okay?"
"Otay"
"Good boy, I love you now have your nap."
"Love you too Pa" Harry said as his eyes drifted to sleep. Sirius walked into the bathroom let out a heavy sigh and turned on the shower. He got undressed and stepped in letting the warm water run over him. After he was done he pulled on a pair of pants and slid in next to Harry wrapping his arms around the boy.
