A few days after I had moved in with James and his family, I got a letter from my uncle. I looked at the envelope in confusion.

"Uncle Alphard never writes to me…" I muttered.

"You think it could be dangerous?" Remus asked anxiously "I've heard about really dodgy hexes and curses sent by mail…"

I shook my head.

"Alphard was always a bit of a black sheep. He disagreed with mother and father constantly; he thought their muggle-bashing wasn't right. He hasn't been completely excommunicated, but he isn't far off. I don't think he would try and hurt me."

I slit the envelope open, and pulled out the letter. I unfolded it, and read:

Sirius,

So, you finally broke free from the clan! Always knew you were a bit of an outsider, a little like me actually. I expect I'll be fully blasted off the Black Family Tree for this, but I couldn't leave a man of my own heart stranded in this day and age without a penny to his name. So I have set up a Gringotts vault for you (the key is enclosed) to get you through your last couple of school years. I would offer you a place to stay, but my lifestyle isn't fit to accommodate a teenager at present. Besides, I heard you were staying with friends.

In other news, I don't know if you heard, but your cousin Andromeda has become engaged to be married to a muggle, Ted Tonks. I expect she has been removed from the tapestry also. I knew that girl had some good in her! It pains me to say it, but you and young Andromeda are the only relations I can call family. I expect you know about Bellatrix and Narcissa's joint wedding; to lovely pure-blood future Death Eaters I see… not that I should judge.

Anyhow, have fun with your money and I may meet up with you some day. For now, au revoir!

Uncle Alphard

"He's giving me money!" I said, shocked.

"He… doesn't like your family much does he?" James observed.

"Uncle Alphard takes pride in being as least analogous to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black as is physically possible." I explained.

"Lots of big words in that sentence Sirius," Remus smiled, taking the letter off me to reread. I stuck my tongue out at him. Good old Uncle Alphard! I never suspected he would give me gold for leaving home, he had never shown me much attention before. But in Alphard's eyes, any rebellion against the family is highly commendable.

"I didn't know Bellatrix got married… "James said.

"Oh yeah. To some guy called Lestrange I think."

"And who's Narcissa?"

"Bellatrix's older sister. She married Lucius Malfoy."

"I think I've heard of him…" Remus mused, screwing his nose up in concentration.

"He's a hotshot rich boy with pretty awesome hair but a heart as black as Padfoot." I told him.

"Ah… that's the one."

I laughed, and pulled the tiny key out of the envelope. I slipped it into my pocket, along with Alphard's note.

"I'm a free spirit now!" I smiled "My own man. I'm my man. And Remus is my man's man."

James and Remus laughed.

"Lily is my woman. And I'm my woman's man." James contributed. "I wish."

"Well you aren't having Remus!" I told him severely. "He's mine."

"Now now." James chided. "Sharing makes the world go round."

"Then I'll have Lily." Remus said mildly, his eyes twinkling.

"Never!" James screamed, launching himself at Remus. I pulled Remus out of harms way.

"Steady on, Prongs!" I grinned. He scowled jokingly.

"You keep that man beast away from my Lily!"

"Or what?"

"OR I'LL KICK YOUR WEREWOLF ARSE ALL THE WAY TO…"

"Calm down guys!" I laughed

"Oh yeah? I'd like to see you try, Prongsy."

James snarled menacingly and tried to grab at Remus again.

"Die Moony, die!" he roared. I stepped in between them, and starting singing some muggle hymn.

"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all!!"

Moony laughed contemptuously.

"Bring it on stag boy."

"Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings, he made their glowing colours, he made their tiny wings!!!" I shouted

"Prepare to meet your end!!!!!" James threatened, curling his hand into a fist.

"The purple-headed mountain!!! The river running by!!! The sunset, and the morning that brightens up the sky!!!" I bellowed. Mrs Potter walked in, looked around and then walked out again. We laughed and Remus and Prongs shook hands grinning.

"I wouldn't really take Lily from you… I've got my hands full with this one." Remus said, gesturing at me.

"Whoooooah!" James teased. "Too much infor-may-chee-onnn!"

Remus blushed and I winked at James.

"Well, you know…" I joked.

"You sly dog. Literally." James laughed. "Oh and you have to teach me that song you were singing."