With the Love of Parents

Chapter 13: Whole Once More

They landed with a thud in Arlene's living room, where both Harry and Sirius hit the floor due to exhaustion and pain. They'd been there no more than 5 seconds before they were beset upon by the Reddings and their animal friends.

While Arlene exclaimed over her son-in-law and the state he was in, the other adult Reddings surrounded Jenna, Maria and Sirius, too. Boomer knocked Draco over and placed happy, sloppy kisses over his boy as Stu hopped gaily into Hermione's arms. Sarah slid around Ryan's ankle and up the giggling girl's torso while Cooper came to Harry.

'Hello, my Ink-Boy." Cooper greeted as he nudged his way under the seated boy's arm and rested his aged body against Harry's weakened one, 'You brought back the Big Dog, I see.'

"Yea. It was hard,' Harry told his old friend, resting his head wearily against Cooper's.

'Doing the right thing is always hard, my boy,' Cooper responded simply, adding, 'So, then, I know you will have a hard life.'

"Thanks for the encouragement, Coop,' Harry joked, knowing it was true nonetheless-after all, he would always do what was right so long as he could.

'You know me, always the cheerleader,' Cooper returned, his tongue lolling out at his own joke before, nudging the boy with his wet nose, he said, 'Don't you think there are two little someone's who should be in here as well?'

Harry grinned at the reminder and, after a quick, one-armed hug for the copper coloured dog, he slipped out of the room. Carefully, and quietly, he made his way up the creaky stairs to his sisters' room, determinedly pushing away all thoughts of his pain. Stepping into the room, he found the twins already waiting for him, standing up in the crib they shared with their arms already outstretched towards him. Grinning, he obediently lifted them from the crib and into his arms, carrying them expertly

"Come on, my little ones," Harry smiled delightedly, settling one toddler on either hip as they exited the room, "Daddy's home!"

"Daddy!" the two girls crowed in happiness, bouncing up and down and babbling excitedly as Harry brought them down the stairs and into the living room.

"Padfoot!" Harry called out, his voice catching his father's, and the rest of the rooms, attention, "There are two people I think you should meet."

Sirius turned, standing among his brother-in-laws, while, at his side, his wife and children talked to his mother-in-law, staring at his son and the baby girls in his arms in wide eyed shock. The soft, copper-blonde hair that covered both the little girls' heads was that of his wife's family and there faces were that of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. One child had Sirius' eyes and the other had Jenna's.

"Padfoot, I'd like you to meet Aderyn Lilith and Cassiopeia Greta Black." Harry introduced with a wide grin, adding, "Baby girls, this is-"

"Daddy!" the two girls shrieked in delight as big, bubbly smiles covered both their faces.

"But-wha…" Sirius, open mouthed, stared from his youngest daughters to his wife and back again before demanding, "How?"

"Honestly, Dad, if you don't know how babies are made then I want to know who the twins' real father is!" Draco quipped, eliciting laughter and a smack from Ryan.

With a gentle smile, Jenna touched her husband's arms lightly, saying, "I found out after you let, Siri. They're miracles-I had to stay in bed for almost 7 months straight to have them, but we all came through it just fine."

"These-These are our daughters?" Sirius asked in awe, slicking his gaze once more to his wife then back, in amazement, to his baby daughters.

"Yes, love, these are our babies." Jenna said with a happy little giggle as Harry strode forward and carefully transferred first Pia, then Addie, into their father's arms for the first time.

Sirius, still staring at the pair in awe, held the duo like glass figurines. Pia, meanwhile, grinned brightly at him as she blew a big spit bubble, while Addie again shrieked "Daddy!" and the two flung their arms around Sirius' neck. Tears in his eyes, Sirius hugged them back fiercely.

Jenna slid under his arm, taking Addie's weight as Sirius' free arm wrapped tightly around her waist. Sniffling, Hermione dashed to them, burying her face in Sirius' side while Ryan copied the motion and burrowed into her mother's free side. Harry and Draco followed quickly in their sisters' footsteps.

"Oh, thank Merlin you're home, Siri," Jenna said as tears rolled down her cheeks, "We missed you so much baby."

"Yea, darlin', I'm home," Sirius murmured as Harry took hold of Pia so Sirius could pull the other kids closer, tears in his eyes as he gruffly promised, "I'm home and I'm not ever leaving again."
XoXoXoXo

Ron and Neville had only been in the Hospital Wing for less than 20 minutes before the room was flooded with the large, redheaded Weasley family as well as Neville's Gran. As the babbling Weasleys, and stern looking Longbottom matriarch, looked searchingly around for Ron and Neville, the Nurse, Madame Pomfrey, came from her office with an angry red face and began scolding the group of people.

"My patients need rest!" she rebuked them, before, spotting Ron, one of the redheads broke away from the group with a shriek of his name.

Ginny, his ten-year-old sister raced straight for his bed, ignoring the Nurse's yells to stop, jumping into his arms and colliding with his sore chest with a poorly concealed sob. Like every one of her brothers and both of her parents, Ginny had bright red hair, though hers, unlike her brothers', fell down her back in a tumble of waves and curls. Her eyes were bright and brown, though their could become black with anger and one offhand comment, and her soft, round face was covered the freckles that her 3 youngest brothers still shared.

"Hey now, Ginny-bear," Ron soothed gently, ignoring the pain in his head and chest (courtesy of that damn queen chess piece), softly smoothing his sister's hair from her forehead as he used her childhood nickname, "I'm fine little one, I'm alright."

Sniffling miserably, she wailed into his pyjama shirt, "They said you almost died!"

"Pfft, you know doctors, Ginny-they like to exaggerate," Ron said with a joking note to his voice as he gently jostled her over to his side instead of directly atop his aching upper abdomen.

"Oh Ronnie-my baby!" his mother, Molly, wailed, much like her only daughter and, and rushed to her youngest son's bedside.

Ron laughingly spluttered as he and Ginny were almost strangled as his mother hugged them tightly. He was immediately smothered in the smell of baking, wildflowers and Lady Stetson, the Muggle perfume that his father bought her every holiday without fail. Speaking of said father, Arthur Weasley, smelling of ink and leather, gently pried his wife away and took her place, kissing his youngest son's head warmly and clasping them tightly. Next came his eldest brother, Bill, smelling of dust and dirt, with his fang earring in place, followed by Charlie, smelling of smoke and fire, and vaguely of dung, teasing him with a ruffle of his hair and Percy, smelling of ink, cauldrons and scrolls, hugged him warmly, something he hadn't done since Ron was 5. And, finally, were the twins, Fred and George, smelling suspiciously of potions and explosions as they squeezed onto either side of the bed, sandwiching Ginny and Ron between them.

All Ron could do was laugh. He reveled in the many smells he'd always associated with his family as he scooted Ginny closer to make more room on the mattress for the twins.

Neville, meanwhile, had waited nervously as his Gran slowly approached the bed, her manner as far form that of the Weasley family as existed. Though he knew his Gran loved him, in her roundabout way, he was highly surprised when she hugged him-it was brief but warm.

"G-Gran?" he stuttered in surprise as she pushed him back on the bed, tucking the sheets firmly back around her grandson.

"Stupid boy," Augusta Longbottom muttered to him, without bite, "Going into a restricted area with criminals!"

"Harry Potter was with them, Gran," Neville told her, staring up at her with serious eyes, "And he's a hero. Stop pushing me down please, I'm not injured."

Augusta glared at him as, with a wrinkled hand on his chest, she firmly pushed him down again, "The Nurse says that Black woman Confunded you, Ronald and Professor McGonagall-if that woman has the power to confound Minerva McGonagall than you need to stay in bed!" she paused, "And Harry Potter and his parents are heroes, but that poor thing was kidnapped and brainwashed to believe in the Dark Arts-he'll be fine once Albus Dumbledore has him again."

"Gran, we weren't Confunded and Harry Potter isn't a believer in the Dark Arts," Neville interrupted firmly, surprising both of them as he'd never interrupted his Gran before in 10 years, "H-H-Harry, his guardians and his siblings were here to get Sirius Black and they defeated He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

"You-Know-Who is dead, Neville," Augusta said with conviction as she leaned closer to stare her grandson firmly in the eyes, "He's been dead for 10 years. Sirius Black and the woman he married came to this school to terrorize people. Black was not being kept here, Neville," she sighed, "We're going to get you help, child."

"He's not lying!" Ron's indignant voice cut into their conversation and the Weasley family parted from around his bed so that the redhead could glare at the Longbottom matriarch, "Sirius Black was here and Harry Potter and his family saved them. I don't know what happened 10 years ago with Mr. Black, but he's not a Dark Wizard."

"Ron," Mrs. Weasley sighed, "The Healers from St. Mungo's are going to be here soon- specialists are coming to break the curses on you two."

"Where's Professor McGonagall? She knows what's going on." Ron glared furiously at the adults as he demanded his Head of House.

"Ron," Arthur said gently, reaching a hand out to the boy gently. When Ron pulled away impatiently, Arthur sighed, "This will all make sense once the Healers get here, son."

"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" Ron's angry yell shattered the silence of the Hospital Wing and Madame Pomfrey came storming out of her office in response.

"I warned you about disturbing my patients!" she scolded, "Now, out, all of you."

"But-"

"Out!" Madame Pomfrey yelled, and she stood, hands on hips, glaring at the group as they reluctantly filed out.

"Madame Pomfrey, please, can I stay with Ron?" Ginny looked up at the Nurse with wide, tear-filled eyes.

Pomfrey looked down at the earnest little girl who was holding tightly to her big brother's hand. Though Ron still looked angry he, too, sent the Nurse a pleading look.

"Fine," she relented, "But be quiet!"

Eagerly, Ginny kissed her mother's cheek and hopped back in beside Ron. Grumpily, the res of the Weasleys and the lone Longbottom said quick, uncomfortable goodbyes before leaving. Pomfrey checked the two boys over before disappearing again into her office.

"Gin, do you believe us?" Ron asked softly as he looked down at her, his eyes guarded but still trusting.

"Yes," Ginny answered without hesitation, looking back at him with trust in her eyes, "You've never lied to me about anything big like this before."

"Good," Ron looked to Neville and said, "They're not going to believe us. We'll have to pretend they healed us. They won't like it very much if we keep defending the Blacks."

Grimly, Neville agreed and said, "None of us can say anything."

"Agreed," the two Weasleys said together and the 3 friends fell into silence, contemplating the secret their lives were now led by.
XoXoXoXo

Harry's hand flew across the paper, the coal pencil making a picture slowly emerge as his eyes flew between the canvas and his subjects. His eyes were intense as he drew, the magic of his fingers at work.

"Drawing something new, emerald eyes?" Sirius asked curiously as he flopped down beside his eldest. The older man's eyes fell on the sketch emerging on the page and added in a murmur, "It's looking really good."

Harry paused a moment to throw his father a smile before returning to his sketch. A few minutes later, he leaned back, finished, to eye it critically.

His four sister had emerged on the page in a life-like black and white sketch. Hermione was sitting on the ground cross-legged, with Pia settled comfortably in her elder sister's lap, Hermione's brown curls falling slightly over the baby's face. Ryan was sprawled on her stomach in front of the pair, with Addie laying on her back, Addie's head resting between Ryan's shoulder blades. Hermione had one arm wrapped loosely around Pia's waist and the other hand flipped the pages of a storybook as she read aloud to them all. Two puppies were wrestling playfully in the dandelion spotted grass beside them.

Pia, the real one, suddenly tottered over to them, collapsing happily into Harry's lap while the other 3 girls began playing with the puppies. Harry dropped a warm, affectionate kiss on his baby sister's head while she snatched up his sketchbook.

"Me!" she squealed happily, pointing a pudgy singer at her sketched self before, her finger moving, she said, "Mine, Addie, 'nd Ry'n."

"Right you are, pretty pumpkin," Sirius chuckled lightly, gently tucking a dandelion in her short, perky ponytail, "That is you and all your sisters!"

Pia hummed happily before wriggling her way out of Harry's lap and waddling over to her father, arms raised as she imperiously commanded, "Up!"

Sirius laughed and obediently snatched her up and into his arms. He then lay back, holding Pia up above him as he supported her with his hands holding her loosely by her sides. Grinning impishly, he lowered her down and blew a loud raspberry on her chubby little tummy, making her screech with laughter.

Suddenly, Hermione appeared, snatching Pia from their father's arms and dashing away, crying out, "You'll never catch us!" Ryan, with Addie in her arms, was already almost at the house.

"C'mon Har!" Sirius grinned delightedly, jumping to his feet and hauling Harry to his with a helping hand as he added, "Let's get them!"

Sirius and Harry dashed after the girls, chasing them through the house and into the kitchen. There, the girls ducked behind their mother for 'safety'. Draco was also in the kitchen, sitting on the countertop with his feet swinging aimlessly while he laughed at his father and siblings.

"Alright, alright!" Jenna admonished laughingly as Sirius tried to reach around her for their laughing daughters. "Quit it, Siri." She giggled, pushing him towards the table as she added, "Sit down, all of you, it's time for lunch."

Laughing, the large family seated themselves around the table, Arlene joining them at Jenna's call-Maria was at work. Eagerly, they helped themselves to the large lunch that Jenna and Draco had made for them. Their loud, fun conversation was interrupted not ten minutes later as an owl landed on the sill of the window, almost toppling into the sink after a too-abrupt halt.

"Got it!" Harry called with a grin, up and out of his chair quickly. Untying the letter attached to it's leg, Harry set out a bowl of food and one of water for the weary bird. Flipping the envelope over, he read the address and passed it on to his mother with a simple, "It's from Uncle Sly." While his mother tore open the letter to read it, with his father reading over her shoulder, Harry turned back to the School owl.

'Hello,' he smiled, 'Thank you for bringing our letter.'

The owl stopped feeding and stared at Harry, cocking her head slightly and ruffling her feathers as she responded, "I've heard about you from the other owls-I had to come and see for myself.'

'Yes, my siblings and I are…unusual." Harry grinned before a commotion drew his attention back to his family and he said to her, 'I'm sorry, there are obviously matters to attend to so maybe we can finish talking later.'

'Certainly,' the voice was faded as Harry let the connection fall and turned to his family.

Sirius was mumbling disgustedly while Jenna looked thoughtful. Hermione too, looked indignant and Ryan was frowning at the letter that was now in Draco's hands. Draco, however, was chuckling lowly.

Curious, Harry requested the letter and Draco handed it over willingly. Severus' short note was attached to an article from the Daily Prophet and Harry read;

To my favourite sister, her dog, and her brood,

Sorry it took so long to get this to you-they finally stopped checking our mail. I thought you might enjoy it. I'll be around in a few days with a certain cat who would like to visit.

Love,

Severus.

Curiosity seriously piqued now, Harry flipped the letter over to read the attached article. With a roll of his eyes at the headline he read,

"Black Strikes Again!

Last night, while esteemed Headmaster Albus Dumbledore… was called from Hogwarts, there was a break in at our favourite castle. A break in by Sirius Black, his woman and the children they've kidnapped over the years…"

The article went on to talk about how they, the Blacks, were there to steal the Stone. It talked of how Harry and Draco had been 'taken' from both of their families-though it left out the part about how both of their "families" would have killed them eventually- and said Hermione and Ryan were Muggleborn children stolen from their own families.

It went on to say that Sirius had used Dark Magic to force Minerva, Ron and Neville into telling them the location of the Stone. It talked about how they'd torn apart Quirrel's body viciously and tried to get away with the Stone, but Minerva had broken through the mind control and managed to take it back. With the help of Severus, she'd "ran the Blacks out of the castle".

Harry's favourite part, though, was the part where they'd taken statements from his new friends' families; when the reporter had approached Ron's home, his mother had chased him away with a skillet. Neville's Gran had threatened to hang the man by his toes from a tower if he ever came around again.

Before he could make a comment on the article, however, a sudden movement on his mother's part caught Harry's attention. Snatching a spatula up from the drying rack, she rounded on Sirius.

"Engarde!" she yelled, eyes dancing merrily with laughter and mischief, "I am the woman of the notorious Sirius Black and if you don't surrender I will be forced to use my Dark Magic on you!"

"Oh yea?" Sirius demanded with a grin as he leapt to his feet, pulling a large wooden spoon out of the salad bowl, "We'll see about that!"

And, falling into their familiar rhythm, the Black household filled with laughter.
XoXoXoXo

A/N YAY SIRIUS IS BACK! Ugh, it absolutely killed me to have him taken away and thankfully he's back now!

Also, I've had a few people get a little upset about the R/Hr hinting-if you've ever read anything I've ever written you'll know that the pairings are going to R/Hr and G/H for sure-sorry to ruin the "surprise".

Well, I've got to fly again, But hopefully I'll talk to you all again soon. Don't forget to review!

Love,

Red