Title: A Slice of life
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. However, since Rowling discarded my favourite characters I picked them up and took them into my care to give them the love and attention they deserve...and occasionally give them reason to need that love and attention no matter how much they deserve it without needing a reason.
Summary: From exploding potions to the sadness that life throws at you and from first dates to birthday celebrations; life is never uneventful with the Marauders.
Warnings: Strong bromance, can't stomach boys being extremely close without it being sexual, then this is not the story for you and you should hit the return button. This story deals with death, the results of an ongoing war, terminal illness and might be considered triggering to some.
This story is part of a series called A Bond of Family. If you are interested in reading the entire series, then the chronological order can be found on my profile.
Special thanks as always to the brilliant and awesome Kitty, for all her patience, her willingness and kindness to pre-read my stories, give me new ideas and fix my grammar while still trying to teach me something so I'll learn. Thank you, you're the best!
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James carefully reached out to pet the bony coat of the nearly see-through skeleton; laughing as it messed up his hair with its breath.
Most of their classmates were keeping a fair distance from the herd in front of them; eyeing them warily and he couldn't help but roll his eyes at their apprehension as although scary looking, the creatures were quite friendly.
Perhaps he would've felt the same about them if he hadn't seen his brother interact with them for years and although he hadn't been able to see them until recently; the prolonged exposure to them while invisible had taken any caution he might have otherwise had away.
Even Peter had cheerfully approached them for a petting; even though James knew the other couldn't see them and had made Sirius guide him as to where to pet.
But the lion-share of their classmates hadn't quite found that bravery yet and were keeping their distance despite Professor Kettleburn's assurance they were quite friendly and Hagrid was hovering in his garden nearby to watch them.
"Mister Black, would it be of any use to tell you to be careful?" Their teacher called out from behind him and he turned in time to see his brother pull himself up onto one of the Thestrals surrounding them.
"Not likely, sir," his brother swung a leg over the large animal's back to have better access to the creature's neck to give him a rubbing; the magnificent stallion snorting appreciatively. "They wouldn't hurt me."
"As trained as Hagrid has them, they are still wild beasts," Professor Kettleburn tried to precaution despite the interested glint in his eyes, but James knew his brother was right.
"Tenebrus is an old friend," Sirius waved his concern off and several of their classmates screamed when a high shrill startled them, but he only glanced down to see a young foal butt its head against his lower leg; demanding attention and with a smile he slid down from Tenebrus' back again to pet the little one.
"Remarkable, I assume Hagrid introduced you before?" Professor Kettleburn waggled forward; his wooden legs as usual making it difficult for him to walk on the frozen ground, but it never seemed to stop the man's enthusiasm and remind James eerily of those mad scientists from Remus' books.
"Yes sir, back in first year," Sirius somehow managed to look graceful as he all but let himself drop into the snow to give all the foals gathering around him attention and James envied him for the ability as he had trouble just staying on his feet on the frozen ground, let alone look graceful while doing it.
His brother's words made him snort as he remembered seeing him fly on a back then invisible beast, but he had immediately understood Sirius' attraction to the animals from the moment he first saw them with his own eyes as sinister looks notwithstanding; there was something alluring about the dragonish reptilian forms and they were absolutely stunning.
"Can I try to pet one?" Lily's soft voice made his stomach flip as she approached; an almost hesitant curiosity in her beautiful eyes as she watched the Thestrals.
"I'm not the one you should ask, though I'm fairly sure Tenebrus wouldn't mind, would you?" He looked back up to the tall beast standing beside him.
It was always hilarious to see people's confusion when Sirius seemed to be talking with the creatures they dealt with; especially since he'd become Padfoot and had gained an actual ability to communicate with them on a rudimentary level but Lily seemed to take it in stride without comment as she turned to Tenebrus.
"May I?"
The Thestral snorted at her outstretched hand before gently pressing his nose against it and a beautiful smile crossed over her lips as she let her fingers slide over the thin skin. "They're beautiful and so soft."
"Well, I'm delighted to hear you think so, Miss Evans," Professor Kettleburn said. "Could you tell me something about them?"
"Well, Thestrals are categorised as winged horses by the Ministry, like the Abraxan and Aethonan, though they don't have feathers and because of their eerie appearance and inability to be seen by anyone not having seen death; are seen as omens of misfortune," she bit her lip as she moved to Tenebrus' side to brush her hand over his flank. "They are fairly rare and breeding them without Ministry permission is illegal because they've been classified as fourth class beasts."
"Excellent, ten points to Gryffindor," Professor Kettleburn's smile grew. "Mister Black, did Miss Evans forget anything?"
"They're also related to the Granian, live in herds and are deadly clever. A Thestral never forgets anything and is very protective and loyal towards those they deem a friend," Sirius added as he raised a hand to brush it over Tenebrus' nose as the magnificent horse turned as Lily came closer to the sitting boy. "They are carnivores and hunt for their food both on the ground and in the sky. Due to the forest being their natural habitat, they live mostly on wood creatures and birds, though Hogwarts' herd has been trained not to attack the owls. They are also some of the fastest creatures alive."
"They're certainly faster than even my racing broom," James agreed, looking up when Professor McGonagall approached.
"I would like for you to come with me, Mister Black," she hesitated as she saw James. "Perhaps you would like to join us, Mister Potter?"
Frowning, James turned from the animals. "Whatever it is you're accusing us of, we haven't done anything."
"Today," he heard Remus mutter under his breath, but ignored him as not even a small smile crossed McGonagall's stern face at his defence.
"You are not being accused of anything at the moment, please come with me."
Dread filled him as he caught Sirius' grim expression as his brother brushed a hand over Tenebrus' nose in silent goodbye before following McGonagall and James fell in step beside him.
"What happened?"
"Nothing good," was Sirius' only answer so James slipped a hand into his brother's in silent support as they followed their Head of House to her office and took a seat when indicated.
"Biscuit?" Accepting her offer while Sirius declined, James nibbled on it while Professor McGonagall placed a cup of tea before both of them before taking a seat beside Sirius.
"So Uncle Alphard died?"
Surprised, Professor McGonagall's eyes widened slightly. "How did you know..."
"You asked James to join us despite not needing him so he is clearly here for mental support. Which makes it obvious someone either got injured or died. Considering that there's a letter on your desk with the Black crest on it, it's easy to deduce it's got something to do with the Blacks," Sirius explained. "Grandfather would only ever inform me about two of them and since Andy's been disinherited years ago, that letter is about Uncle Alphard. Since he wouldn't be writing to my Head of House if Uncle Alphard had recovered, there is only one option that remains and that is that he died."
The small hitch in Sirius' voice had James reach out to take his hand, aware the other was much more shaken that he was showing at the moment.
"He passed away during the night," McGonagall confirmed; shifting in her seat as she slowly reached out to place a hand on his and squeeze it.
It was something James had noticed the woman doing for a while now; go out of her way to show Sirius her intended movements.
He wasn't sure if it was because she had somehow become aware of the extent of the terrible childhood he had had before coming to live at Potter Manor, or because she had finally realised Sirius was uncomfortable around adults and was making the effort to show he could trust her.
Her efforts showing in the way Sirius didn't shy away from her touch the way he did with most teachers or tense up; a trait he'd only ever seen Flitwick manage before and he wondered if McGonagall even realised how difficult it was for an adult to gain his brother's trust.
"Do they know what caused it, yet?"
"I wasn't informed," McGonagall cleared her throat, thrown off by Sirius' calmness as he stared at the wall behind her. "But your Grandfather wishes to see you right away and I am to bring you to him."
"I'm going with him," James immediately declared, rising to his feet so show their Head of House it was not up to debate. No matter how much Arcturus might have changed in his behaviour, he was still a Black and James wasn't leaving his brother alone with any Black if he could prevent it.
McGonagall looked like she wanted to protest but closed her mouth again before any sound came out; rising to her feet as well to retrieve her personal box of Floo Powder.
A quick trip later had them arrive at Black Manor, the place looking as dark and gloomy as James had expected it to but he made no comment as he followed his brother as Sirius followed a House Elf without a word.
They were led into a study filled with aged yellow wall paper and a library as big as the Potter library; though James was sure these were mostly dark books.
"Master wills be with yous in a moment," the small House Elf squeaked, giving Sirius a warm smile as they took seats on the couch.
"Thank you Dinky," at the name, warmth and gratitude filled James as he knew this was one of the two elves who had taken care of his brother as much as they could when he was young.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Dinky, I've heard a lot about you," he greeted the elf, watching the big eyes widen momentarily before the creature bowed low but didn't speak before scurrying off as heavy footsteps approached.
"Welcome, please remain seated," Arcturus' scratchy voice greeted them as the older man entered the room; cold eyes flashing to James momentarily as they abandoned their attempt to rise in respect but he made no comment on his presence as he took a seat across of them; long grey hair falling over his shoulder as he did. "I am glad you could make it at such short notice, how have you been?"
It was a poor choice of words considering they news the had just heard, but Sirius gave no indication of being bothered by it.
"All is well, Grandfather," he said respectfully. "You wished to see me considering recent events?"
"Yes… you have been informed of what happened?"
"Professor McGonagall did," Sirius confirmed. "Any idea as to what happened yet?"
He smiled down at Dinky as the little elf reappeared with refreshments, accepting his cup of tea from her before placing it on the table beside him as she moved on to McGonagall and James himself.
"None, there was no medical explanation for why his health declined or why it cost him his life," something flashed through Arcturus' cold grey eyes as he followed the elf's movements. "They will be doing a full spell-work investigation on his remains to try and discover if there was any malicious intent or not."
"You believe he might have been murdered?" The shock in McGonagall's voice was surprising, considering what she must know of the Black family and Arcturus clearly considered her stupid if his cold eyes narrowing were any sign.
"It is always a possibility, especially considering he was healthy up until being hospitalized a few weeks before Christmas," the man took a sip of his cup of tea. "Nonetheless, no matter the motives behind it, I doubt the culprit will receive what was intended as the goblins contacted me moments after his death was made official regarding his Will."
"Uncle Alphard named me in his Will?" Sirius clearly deduced their presence there as having to do with Alphard's Will.
"You are actually his sole heir," Arcturus revealed, making Sirius pause in lifting his own cup.
"I...why?"
"I do not know his motives, but he left everything he owned to you so you will need to report to Gringotts later this week for the reading of his Will and the merging of Vaults. As his sole beneficiary it is mandatory that you were notified of what happened before anyone else."
The earlier flash in the man's eyes was further supported by a small waver in his voice, but James couldn't quite decipher it and Sirius didn't seem to notice as he nodded.
"Do you wish for me to inform Mum of her nephew's passing since that duty would fall to me as his heir?"
"No, I will inform her as the Head of House, there is no need for you to have such a conversation when you do not have to," the unidentified emotion hidden in Arcturus' eyes increased momentarily as Sirius simply inclined his head formally, the move making James' stomach turn as he finally realised just what the emotion in those cold eyes was; regret.
For the past year, the man had attempted to reach out to Sirius in awkward ways; sending him a birthday and Christmas gift as well as a few short letters but although Sirius had thanked the man for both gifts and responded respectfully to the letters; there was no familial bond between them, the distance glaringly obvious when one knew how Sirius interacted with the Potters.
Grandfather Harold would've long since gotten at least a dozen smiles and three hugs from his brother by now, none of the formal crap displayed and it saddened James to see the regret in the man's eyes as he realised that.
"You will need to bring a guardian as you are still underage," he cleared his throat, hiding any emotion in his voice by taking a large sip of his tea.
"I'll ask Dad to accompany me, unless there needs to be a familial bond? Then I will ask Mum since he's her nephew."
The regret clouded the man's eyes briefly, suddenly making him seem ancient and James' heart clenched in sympathy as the cold demeanour shifted to something akin to grim acceptance as the man realised he had reached out too late; having lost any chance of a familial bond forming with his grandson as Sirius clearly did not view him as more than a Head of House and grandfather in name alone.
The realisation that he had lost his grandson in any way that mattered was painful to see and James swallowed thickly before anger took over any sadness as he took in Sirius' stiffness, because, how dare that man have any regrets when it was his brother who had suffered for years due to the man's inaction?
If the man had just pulled his head out of his own arse for just a minute and invested time in his descendants, he would've been able to see just how unnatural his grandson's behaviour was and could have taken him out of that hellhole years ago.
The anger helped bury any sympathy he might've felt for the man's loss otherwise and he shifted closer to Sirius' side to lightly bump their legs together on the couch they were seated on.
"No, Charlus will do since he is your legal guardian," the man cleared his throat and picked up a roll of parchment. "I will also arrange everything for Alphard's funeral with Pollux."
Sirius seemed to blanch momentarily as he no doubt envisioned having to attend a funeral with hoards of Blacks present and James wasn't sure if Arcturus picked up on his grandson's apprehension or just got lucky as he continued.
"If you would like I could arrange for you and...your parents to have a separate moment to say goodbye away from everyone else to avoid conflict at the actual funeral?"
"That would probably be wise," Sirius acknowledged, clearing his throat. "Has he already been moved from the hospital?"
"Not yet. I was not sure if you wished to say goodbye and ordered them to wait until after I had a chance to speak to you."
"I would, if it is possible," feeling the small tremor in Sirius' hand, James pressed his leg more firmly against his brother's; not quite daring to take his hand in front of Lord Black.
"You may take the fireplace to St Mungo's to do so. Would you like me to…," it was impossible to miss the sudden tensing of Sirius' entire frame and Arcturus had a split moment of hesitation before he continued. "Write a consent for Mister Potter to join you there?"
James doubted it had been what Arcturus had been intending to say, but the save was done nicely enough and Sirius didn't seem to have caught it as he covered his strong reaction by shifting; resulting in him pressing closer to James, actively seeking his familiar presence.
Suddenly realising the other wasn't just wilfully missing his grandfather's emotions, but too unsettled to even notice them; James swallowed as he finally understood just how difficult it must be for his brother to be there.
As a dog Animagus, Sirius was sensitive to the darkness clinging around them in a way James never would be; the prolonged exposure no doubt testing his carefully constructed walls and frying his nerves.
It was also suddenly clear to him why McGonagall was being so quiet as she normally would have spoken up by now, but a quick glance towards their Head of House showed the woman to be paler than usual as she no doubt sensed the lingering dark magic as well as she was being overwhelmed by it in a way Sirius was struggling not to be.
He wondered if Sirius' full body shiver actually had all that much to do with Arcturus' attempted offer or was an involuntary response to their surroundings and he cleared his throat. "That would be much appreciated. Perhaps we could let the news sink in for a bit and have him pay his respects? Discuss the details at another day?"
Cold grey eyes softened as they took in the way Sirius was pressed close to James and Arcturus nodded. "That might be wise."
James swallowed back a smile at how uncharacteristic quickly McGonagall rose, Sirius taking a moment longer by sheer force of will before they followed Arcturus to the fireplace after he'd written a small note.
"I will send you the details of the funeral and the meeting at Gringotts as soon as I have them," the man promised, handing over the parchment he'd been holding. "I am not sure it will make a difference, but I believe you would like to see this for yourself."
Accepting the roll of parchment, Sirius inclined his head in goodbye before they travelled through the Floo.
Fairly sure he wasn't mistaking the sigh of relief coming from the Head of House as he stepped out of the Floo after her, James tactfully ignored her as she gathered her wits and focused on his brother as he arrived after him.
"You all right?"
"Yeah," swallowing, Sirius took a deep breath to compose himself and moving toward the receptionist. "Morning, I am here to pay last respects to Alphard Black."
"Morning love, what is your name?" The plumb blond witch looked up with a comforting smile as she noticed Sirius.
"Sirius Potter-Black, James Potter and Minerva McGonagall, Arcturus Black gave permission for them to join me," he handed over the slip of paper and she checked it momentarily before nodding.
"They have moved him to the Morgue on the Sixth floor. If you take the elevator up I will ensure a Healer meets you there."
"That's all right, thank you," accepting the parchment back, Sirius pocketed it before turning to McGonagall. "You don't actually have to accompany us upstairs, Professor."
"I do, Sirius. I would be an awful excuse of a human being if I let you two go up there alone," she placed a hand on his shoulder. "I will wait outside of the room to give you some privacy if you wish, but I am coming upstairs with you."
Nodding his acceptance, Sirius led the way to the elevators; unrolling the scroll to skim over it as they waited for the elevator and travelled up to the right floor where a small female Healer dressed in the same lime green uniform as the others was waiting for them and led them towards a darkened corridor.
"I'll wait here, don't hesitate to call me if you need me," McGonagall informed them as the Healer opened the first door and nodding, James and Sirius disappeared through it.
"I have to request you do not touch him as the investigation to his death has not been started yet so his body has been put into stasis to prevent any evidence from getting lost."
"I understand," Sirius softly said, following her into a separate room and James' stomach clenched as he caught sight of the covered sheet but Sirius moved forward to stand at the side of the bed as she pulled back the sheet to reveal Alphard.
"I will leave you to it," she kindly said before moving out of the door to give them some privacy.
"He looks like he's sleeping," he softly commented, placing a hand on his brother's shoulder. He still wasn't quite sure if he had ever really liked Alphard or not, but he knew the man was one of the very few people who had treated Sirius somewhat normal as a child and for that he wouldn't have wished such a fate on him.
"But he's not," the hitch in his voice was clearer now that there was no audience beyond the Healer and Sirius leaned into him.
"Do you think he was killed?"
"I'm not sure. His initial symptoms indicated that he was. His lips were burned and blackened as were the nails of both hands and feet," Sirius swallowed. "But it wouldn't necessarily mean malicious intent. He could have accidentally come into contact with poison or have had a severe allergic reaction to something as well."
"Would an allergic reaction have caused this?"
"Not likely as the Healers would've been able to fix that in a moment. Whatever it was that poisoned him, it damaged his organs severely enough that they couldn't heal them."
"You learned that from the roll Arcturus gave you?"
"Yeah, it contains his medical information. In the end his body just couldn't take the damage any more and gave out on him," a shaky breath escaped Sirius in the form of a sob, so James reached out to turn his brother into his arms; embracing him tightly as another sob wracked him.
"I'm sorry Siri," he whispered as he softly rubbed his back; relieved his brother was finally letting go of his emotions as he grieved his uncle's death.