Chapter 11

Rigel was not sure at all about the new men. The one he was told was Uncle Moony had very nice eyes is all he knew. He not sure how he Uncle, he was not Daddy's brother like Uncle Padfoot, maybe he was Daddy 2's brother. But he also not sure how Uncle Lucius was his Uncle either. He was very confused by all of this. He like Daddy 1 and Daddy 2, they seem nice, he still like Uncle Luc. Uncle Luc give him Poppy bear, and took him to see Poppy lady who made him feel better. He never have a toy before ever. Poppy bear was his only toy. He took Poppy bear whenever they took him from bed, he didn't want to lose teddy now he had him.

Sirius had been watching the little boy since they arrived the day before. He almost never spoke, and he remained close to Lucius or a dad. There was a little teddy bear he clung to. He had been sent to bed for most of the past twenty four hours, so he hadn't seen much.

Remus smiled when he saw him come down for breakfast. "You're looking better."

Sirius laughed. "A sleep in an actual bed and a hot shower after years in a black cell I feel like a new man."

Lucius was in the doorway. "In a day or two you will officially be a new man. Totally new identity in both worlds, you can start over."

Regulus had come down. "You know you can stay here with us, the manor has hundreds of rooms. At least for now."

Sirius nodded. "I don't see living with Malfoys forever, but I'd like a chance to catch up with you. Not to mention Rigel."

Lucius looked at Remus. "Wolf laws here are a lot less. I can help you with work as well, but the offer to remain is extended to you as well."

Remus may not have been a prisoner but he knew he'd not go back either. "I'd like that. I doubt Albus will let me return alive."

Rigel's little voice came from behind. "Albus bad man. Why he wanna hurt old lady and kitties, and Uncle Moony?"

Rodolphus who held his son assured him. "I don't know Prince, but he is far away and we'll never allow him to find any of you I promise."

They went into the dining room for breakfast and the marauders shared a look. Remus could see settling down here, and having a home. Even with reduced laws here employment was always an issue with full moons. Sirius was too much of a free spirit and he doubted even Rigel and his brother would keep him here long. He'd come and visit all of the time, but Remus gave him a few months at most. Sirius unlike James always wanted to be an auror. But there had been times he spoke of when the war was over, taking off and seeing the world. The Black fortune was now his nephew's, but he had a large inheritance from his Uncle he could use.

Rigel watched the men as he ate his pancakes. He was sitting between Daddy 1 and Draco, whose mummy was next to him. He wondered why he not have a mummy, and only two daddies. He like his two daddies, they seem very nice, but he thought you always had a mummy.

After breakfast he and Draco were playing with Draco's soldiers in the living room. Narcissa knelt. "You know we have to take you shopping."

Rigel cocked his head in confusion. "Shopping? Oh I cook."

Regulus looked startled by that. "Rigel you're four, you're not going to cook. Your Aunt meant for some toys and decorations for your room."

Narcissa nodded. "I got a few but we didn't know what you'd like. And we can have a mural done like Draco's room for you."

Rigel pointed at his teddy. "I have Poppy, I don't need more. Poppy enough. I never have toys before, Poppy enough."

Rodolphus knelt. "Poppy is just the start. We won't spoil you as it's only a few months till Christmas, but we missed your birthday."

It was mid-August, and their son's real birthday was weeks before Harry's was thought to be. They wanted to make up for it for sure. They pointed at the toys and reminded him he was playing with Draco's. It broke both of their hearts to hear their son say he had never had a toy before the teddy bear Lucius bought for him at the hospital. Well that he could remember, as he had plenty when the Potters had him.

Rigel not sure, but they seemed happy with the thought of getting him toys. He didn't know he had a birthday, Uncle told him freaks didn't have birthdays or get gifts. He don't mind he not get gifts at Christmas either. But they seemed to be happy to give him one.

Uncle Paddy sat with him when he was in Daddy 2's lap on the couch. "We could decorate your room to look like quidditch."

Remus saw the little boy's confusion. "I'm not sure he knows what that is. Perhaps when he is a bit older."

Narcissa ruffled the little boy's curls. "Is there perhaps a book you like?"

Rigel thought and nodded. "Mrs. Figgy have books she read to me. I like the one about the monkey, George."

They were not familiar with kid's books from that world but it would be easy enough to find out from Arabella. They were not far from town here, and they would take Rigel when he had a clean bill of health. For now Draco was happy to share and Rigel was content with his teddy. They understood suddenly why the little boy never let Poppy out of his sight, even for a bath.

Sirius watched Rigel play. "No matter where I go I will have to remain close. I have no intention of missing watching him grow up."

Lucius was even faster than he thought himself. By the next morning the paper work for Sirius was complete. He had chosen the name Padric Troy, in honor of his nickname Padfoot. He'd be Rick likely, but the name had seemed right. Padric for Pad, and Troy meant foot soldier, which considering he had once been an auror seemed as fitting. While here he was still Sirius but he could now go out on his own. They had everything from birth records to school records and everything in between for him. Even some work history. And his money had been transferred. Remus was not thought dead and he had no plans to leave in the near future so his remained.

It was after lunch and the Black brothers decided to take the boys out to the stables. They had heard from Severus he checked on Arabella, and something about a surprise coming their way. All they knew was it was for Rigel.

Sirius knelt down to Rigel. "I hear you like the horses. I thought you would come out with me to the stables."

Rigel looked unsure and he looked back and forth between the men. "Daddy 1 come too?"

Regulus knelt. "Rigel what did you call me?"

Rigel looked like he was going to be hit. "I'm sorry. I not call you daddy again."

Regulus took the little boy into his arms. "You know hearing you call me daddy means the world to me. But why 1?"

Rigel shook his head. "Cause I have two daddies, no mommy. You're not mommy, and it confusing daddy and daddy."

Regulus shared a look with his husband who came into the room. Rigel had been out of bed for a few days now but he was still so shy. He hadn't called them anything to their face but must have been in his head. They realized they just referred to each other as Daddy, and had never really considered how confusing it might be to the little boy. Regulus was technically the closest thing to mum as he gave birth.

They took him into the sitting room and sat with him. Rodolphus smiled. "You know how we have been explaining magic to you?"

Rigel nodded. "Your funny stick and you make things happen. And like the scary trolls."

Regulus gently corrected his son. "Elves, and they are very nice. Well with magic a daddy can have a baby too?"

Rodolphus saw his surprise and nodded. "It takes special magic, but you grew in Daddy's belly, instead of a mummy."

Rigel thankfully didn't ask any sex questions as they were not at all prepared. "So you are mummy?"

Regulus shook his head. "In a way. You know you could call one of us Papa if you'd like."

It took a few moments but the little boy nodded and pointed at Rodolphus. They should have thought about the fact he might be confused, but they were new to having their son back in their life. They were looking to Lucius for a lot of advice on things like this. Lucius was an amazing dad and they could take after worse examples than him for certain.

They were about to join Sirius when an elf appeared. Rigel did not like them, whether they be called elves or trolls, not at all. But this one had a special gift from France it seemed, well a letter with a promise of one.

Rodolphus smiled when he read it. "Severus saw your friend Mrs. Fig and she is happy to know you're home safe."

Rigel looked up. "She safe too?"

Rodolphus nodded. "The letter says her cat Whiskers had a new litter of kittens soon after they arrived in France. She wants you to have one."

Rigel was surprised. "Really?"

Regulus showed him a picture. "They are too young to leave their mum but when they are old enough, she will send the one you choose."

There was a photo of six little kittens with their mum. They were only born a day before Severus went so they were far too young to leave yet. Rigel looked at the picture and pointed at the only white kitten in the picture as the one he wanted. For a moment they were reminded of his talk of Arachne who had been Abraxas' cat before. But they tried to assure themselves it was just because the mom cat was white and he liked her.

Rigel looked at the picture. "The man tell me I get my own kitty too, he was sure. White like Arachne, but need new name."

Rodolphus gently pressed again. "Rigel you have seen the man again? I thought it was just when you were lost."

Rigel kept his eyes on the photo. "He comes visits me at night. It dark so I not see him, but he talks to me. Tells me a story to go to sleep."

If it wasn't for the cat's name, they'd be certain he just had an imaginary friend of some kind. They had thought it must have been the painting in the office, but that didn't explain at night time. There were no paintings in Rigel's room. They were sure the house was not haunted either. They were sure if Abraxas' ghost was hanging around, they'd know it. But perhaps they were wrong.

Lucius shrugged when Rodolphus told him later. "It may have been the painting, and now dreams. I'd know if he was a ghost."