The One Thing that Remained Constant

Summer, 1979

"Sirius where are you taking me?" Tawny giggled, as Sirius covered her eyes. She stretched her arms out in all directions, trying to prevent her from hitting anything. Sirius had told her he had a surprise for her, which being Sirius could mean absolutely anything.

"Just a few more steps." He responded, using his left hand to guide her forward. "Okay, stop! Right here. Are you ready?" He asked.

"Yes, show me!"

"Okay, here you go," Sirius said, dropping his hand to reveal a little brick, two-story house with large windows and a bright red door with an antique gold number seven hanging next to it. Thick green ivy with a few red and white flowers scattered throughout it was growing up the side of the house. The front yard had a large willow tree growing in it. Hanging from one of the branches was a swing, which clearly needed new ropes because from what Tawny could tell they were both about to snap. The yard was incredibly unkept as were the bushes and plants growing along the path to the front door. The path was made of large stone, all at different levels. Tawny could tell the roots of the willow had been growing under the path, uprooting some of the stones.

"It's... a house." Tawny said, surprised in a different way than she expected.

"Yeah, well now it's my house."

"Your house? How did you buy a house?" Last time Sirius had tried to access the Black family vault the goblins at Gringotts ran off scared, screaming something about Orion threatening to feed them to the dragon that guarded his vault if they let Sirius take even one sickle from it. It was safe to say that Sirius needed a new vault, one not controlled by his death eater infested family.

"Fleamont and Euphemia gave me a loan. I'll pay them back over the next few years, or when my parents piss off ole Voldy enough where he Avada's their arses." Sirius smirked. "I took the money to Gringotts and they traded it for muggle dollars. Did you know the exchange rate for dollars to galleons is great right now? Anyway, I then took it and bought this place. I know it's a little rough at the moment, but I figured with some magic we can fix it up. We can even put an extension charm inside if it feels too small."

"We?"

"Yeah. I already put a few protection charms on the house, so any of the muggles will remember we are their neighbors but any time they approach the house they'll instantly forget why they're visiting. Oh, and one that makes the house appear just as it seems right now, regardless of what we do to it. Similar to a fidelus, but it doesn't keep anyone out. We can always add more, but I figured those would do for now."

"Once again, we?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm not doing this right. Give me a second." Sirius said, reaching into this leather jacket pocket and pulling out an antique key. "Remus said that when muggles ask someone to move in with them, they give them a key to their house. I guess when you can't 'alohomora' your way into places then you have to use a key. So," Sirius began, gently grabbing Tawny's hand and placing the key in her palm, "Tawny Lovegood, would you like to live here, with me?"

"Really?" Tawny asked, her heart filling with joy.

"Of course. I love you, Tawn. I would love for you to be the first person I see in the morning and the last person I see at night. Would you move in with me?"

"Yes!" Tawny cheered, cupping his face and kissing him repeatedly. "A million times yes!"

….

Fourth Year

After fighting through the sea of photographers and reporters at the Ministry, the group split up. Remus and Harry took off to the Leaky Cauldron to pick up food for dinner since no one felt up to cooking after their already long day. Meanwhile, Tawny and Sirius apparated directly home. The moment Sirius appeared in front of the house he felt frozen in time.

"It hasn't changed..."

"Only a little. We put a few new stones on the walkway, and I planted a few more flowers, but other than that we've kept it the same. Remus wanted to change the color of the door, but I know you loved it red."

"There's a car in the driveway." Sirius pointed out, noticing the black cab.

"Oh yeah, that's ours. Arthur suggested we get one a few years back. We use it occasionally whenever we're going to places with more muggles than wizards. There's a cinema not far from here. During the summer Ron and Hermione will come over and Remus and I drive the three of them down to see a picture or two. There is also this diner across the street from it with these amazing milkshakes."

"Milkshakes?"

"It's like ice-cream from Florean Fortescue's, but you can drink it. I'll take you down there sometime. You will love it." She said, walking towards the door. She stopped when she noticed Sirius hadn't moved. He was still at the beginning of the walkway staring at the house in awe. He remembered when he bought the house fifteen years ago, hoping to fill the house with memories of him and Tawny, and raising their children within its walls. Now that he was free, he might actually get to do just that. "Are you coming, love?"

"Oh, yes," Sirius said, snapping out of his thoughts and following her inside.

Walking through the front door of the house still, he still felt like he was walking back in time. A few more pictures were on the walls, a couple of handsewn quilts which he knew immediately were made by Molly Weasley and double the books since two heavy readers now lived there. But other than that, everything still appeared to be the same as he remembered.

"Stay here, I have something for you," Tawny said, running up the stairs. A few minutes later she returned, clutching a black leather jacket in her hands. Sirius immediately recognized it as his own. "I've had it hanging in the closet, waiting for you. I thought it might make you feel like yourself again."

Tawny held out the Jacket for him as he slipped his arms into the sleeves. He shrugged it on, popping the collar a little as is slipped over his shoulders. It fit a little looser than it had before, due to his weight loss. But, just feeling the leather again... it made him feel a little less like a prisoner and more like his old self. "How do I look?" Sirius asked, striking a pose.

"Like the man I fell in love with, well at little scruffier version, but still him. You definitely need to trim your beard and get a haircut though." Tawny laughed, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.

"What, you don't like rugged Sirius?" Sirius smirked.

"Oh, I like rugged Sirius. This," she said waving her hand in front of him, "screams caveman, not rugged."

"Oh, really?" Sirius asked, pulling Tawny in by the waist. "Are you really going to turn down this caveman?" Sirius said, leaning in closer and closer with every word. Right before he touched her lips, she pushed him back on the sofa, with a cheeky grin on her face.

"I could, you know?" Tawny said while straddling his lap. "But, why the hell would I do that?" With that she closed the gap between them, kissing him deeply. Sirius had one hand on her waist holding her close, the other tangled in her blonde curls.

As he kissed the woman he loved with every ounce of passion he had left in his hallowed body, he came to realize that while their lives and plans had changed dramatically over the past fourteen years, there was one thing that remained constant: their love for each other. Nothing, no stint in Azkaban, no job, no other person in the world could change that.

For a moment he pulled back, resting his forehead against hers. "What's wrong?" Tawny asked, her breath heavy.

"Nothing. I just missed this... missed you."

"Luckily, you don't have to miss me anymore," Tawny smirked before leaning back for another steamy kiss. Sirius kissed her back, just as deeply as before, but this time he pushed Tawny's jacket off her shoulders, leaving her in her sleeveless top. Tawny smiled into their kiss at his actions. Clearly seeing where this was headed, she began slowly unbuttoning his dress shirt.

Before she could finish, the floo roared, and in a puff of thick green smoke, Harry poured out of it, clutching their takeaway meal in his hands. "Hey were back-Oh, Merlin!" Harry cried, dropping the sack of food on the rug. "I fought Voldemort three times, and this is going to be the event that scars me for life!"

Embarrassed, Tawny immediately slid off Sirius's lap to sit next to him on the couch. Both Tawny and Sirius couldn't help but laugh at the incident. Both of them had their fair share of walking in on Lily and James over the years. Had they still been alive, Harry would have been 'scared' ages ago.

"Harry you dropped the-" Remus said as he stumbled out of the floo as well. Upon entry looked directly at the Tawny and Sirius giggling. Noticing Tawny's robe on the carpet and their blushing faces he yelled, "bloody hell, we weren't even gone an hour! You have a room for this you know!"

"I own the house, so, if we're keeping a tally these are all my rooms," Sirius replied, earning him a rather colorful gesture from Remus in return.

"Shut up, you git. Now come over here and eat before your food gets cold."

"Yes, sir, Professor Moony." Sirius agreed before following Remus and Harry into the kitchen, with Tawny tailing behind, unable to hide her laughter.

Later that evening...

For the past hour, Sirius had done nothing but toss and turn in his bed. No matter which sleeping position he chose, he wasn't comfortable enough to fall asleep. Tawny, on the other hand, was fast asleep, curled up with her pillow. Sirius looked over at the clock on the wall, reading 3:00 AM. Realizing sleep didn't seem to be an option for the night, he got up, threw his robe on, shoved his wand in the pocket of it, and headed downstairs.

When he reached the bottom of the stairs, he didn't expect the kitchen light to be on. Sitting at the dining table, pouring over an open Marauder's map, was none other than his godson. "Harry? What are you doing up?"

"I could ask you the same question," Harry replied, as Sirius joined him at the table.

"I couldn't sleep. The bed seemed too..."

"Soft, comfortable, not like a prison cell?" Harry replied.

"Exactly. It's going to take a few nights to get used to. What about you, why can't you sleep?"

"I had a nightmare, and when I woke up my scar was... burning," Harry said, rubbing his scar.

"Oh, that's... odd." This was Sirius's first real parenting moment and the first thing he got was Harry's scar burning... Couldn't he have girl problems or literally anything else less ominous?

"Normally when I can't sleep, neither than Uncle Remus. He usually makes me a cup of tea to try and put me back to sleep."

"Tea? I can make tea." Sirius said, getting up and heading into the kitchen. With a few flicks of his wand, he filled the kettle with water, placed it on the stovetop, and switched it on. As it heated, he summoned two mugs from the cabinet, and hand placed a tea bag in each cup.

"How long has your scar been hurting you?" Sirius asked.

"A few nights this week. I thought maybe it was just stress from the trial, but you're home now... so, I dunno."

"Has it hurt you before?" He asked, just as the kettle began to whistle. Sirius immediately charmed the pot to pour the hot water into the two cups and then rest on a hot cushion on the countertop. Then with another wave of his wand, the two mugs came to rest in front of both of them.

"Not since first year. But that was whenever I was around Professor Quirrell who had Voldemort living on the back of his head."

"What?" Sirius said, choking on his tea.

"It's a long story. But it doesn't matter, Voldemort isn't around anymore."

"I'm not sure then. But I'll talk to Tawny about it. She might have an idea."

"Please don't. I don't want to worry, Tawny. She already worries too much."

"She's a healer, Harry. She'll have a better idea than I would. We have to keep you healthy, and safe. Merlin knows I haven't been the best at doing so in the past, so now's the time to make up for it."

"Great, another worried parental figure. Just what I need." Harry said with a smile.

"Great, a godson with sassy comebacks. Just what I need." Sirius winked as he took a sip of his tea. "Now drink up, we both need to get back to bed before your godmother comes running."

….

3 Days Later

In celebration of Sirius being home and Harry's 14th birthday, Tawny and Remus had decided to throw the pair joint homecoming/birthday party at their house. Only close friends and family were invited of course: the Weasleys, Hermione, Luna, and Xenophilius. Tawny thought about inviting Violet and her husband Chris, Kingsley, Tonks, and few more of Harry's friends, but Sirius wasn't up for it.

Usually, Sirius loved attention, but not lately. The day after he got home, he tried to go to Diagon Alley with Tawny to try and feel normal again. That ended with the two being bombarded by questions and having cameras shoved in their faces. He decided that was too much attention and would rather only have a select few at their party if possible.

However, Tawny couldn't stop the reporters from showing up on their doorstep. Living with Harry for so long she had been used to the occasional reporter stopping by asking to write a memoir about James and Lily or a 'Where are they now?' story about the boy who lived. But, no level of reporters that came by for Harry even remotely compared to the amount showing up now. The sheer number of them made Tawny believe that someone at the ministry their address to the Daily Prophet. Her money was on a bitter Dolores Umbridge.

Tawny considered putting a fidelus on their house to keep out the story hungry intruders, but Sirius didn't want to live in a bubble now that he finally had freedom. Instead, she settled for letting Sirius occasionally transform into his animagus form and chase them off by pretending to be their threatening house pet. Often times Sirius chased them down the street before they realized they could just apparate out of there.

That morning, before everyone came for the party, Tawny, Remus and Harry went ahead and gave Sirius his birthday gift: a brand-new set of quidditch balls and bats for his birthday. After lunch, while the adults mingled inside, the kids took Harry's new set of balls and bats and their brooms, set up a makeshift quidditch pitch out in the backyard and played their own match: Harry, Ginny, and Fred vs George, Ron, and Hermione, with Luna announcing the game as their stand-in Lee Jordan. With so few players they left the snitch in the box and just played with the quaffle and the bludgers. Harry, Ginny, and Fred easily beat Ron, George and Hermione solely because Hermione could barely fly, much less defend her 'goal' post: a large muggle hula hoop hanging from a tree.

"How's Sirius doing, being back?" Arthur asked, pointing over to Sirius, Remus, and Xenophilius chatting by the open French doors as they watched over the kids. Tawny assumed Remus had casually mentioned a sassy comment because Sirius nearly spit out his tea in laughter.

Sirius had dawned a pair of his old blue jeans, with his wand sticking out of his back pocket, and his black leather combat boots. Both fit a little looser than normal, but with a new belt and tighter laces he was able to keep his jeans up and his boots from falling off. All his old shirts fit poorly, so he had borrowed a black t-shirt from Remus with a faded Weird Sister's logo. With all his weight loss, the t-shirt meant for Remus's skinner frame almost fit Sirius perfectly. Molly had come over the day before and trimmed Sirius's hair and shaped his beard into a goatee, rather than the scraggly mess it had been before.

"He's doing okay," Tawny replied, sipping her tea. "He's not sleeping very well. I've woken up the past few nights to him curled up on the floor in his dog form rather than asleep with me in the bed. I start back work tomorrow, and I don't know what he's going to do. He's not ready to start back work at the ministry if they'll even rehire him while Fudge is the minister.

"He just needs time, Tawny. He's been away for so long; he needs to readjust to life outside of Azkaban or on the run."

"I know... I just want things to get back to normal. If normal is even possible with us." Between having Harry "the chosen one" Potter as a godson, Remus "the werewolf professor" Lupin as a co-parent, and Sirius "former convicted felon" Black as a fiancé Tawny didn't believe normal could even remotely describe life at the Potter-Lupin-Lovegood-Black residence.

"Has Sirius considered seeing a counselor? Isn't there a department at Mungo's where he can talk to someone? He's been through so much over the last thirteen years. It could be useful." Molly asked.

"The Janus Thickey Ward on the fourth floor has a full-time counselor: Aurora Delaney. If Sirius was willing, I could schedule an appointment with her for tomorrow. He could talk to her while I was at work... I'll mention it to him later."

After the match, they all came inside for Harry to open the rest of his presents. Harry sat on the floor in the middle of the living room, while everyone crowded around him: Sirius in the armchair while Tawny sat on the arm, draping an arm over Sirius's shoulder, Remus, Molly, and Arthur on the sofa, Xenopilius in the rocking chair, and the kids filing in on the floor in front of the sofa and the floo.

Much to Molly's dismay, Fred and George gifted Harry a box of their latest invention: Ton-Tongue Toffee. Molly wouldn't let Harry eat one, but it didn't stop Sirius from picking one up and admiring it.

"What does it do?" He asked the twins.

"We placed an engorgement charm on it, so when you eat it, it makes your tongue swell!" Fred replied. "We tested one on this muggle – a bully – earlier this summer. His tongue grew to be four feet long!"

"Bloody brilliant." Sirius laughed, wishing he had come up with something so brilliant at his age. It seemed that Fred and George were easily becoming Hogwarts newest version of the Marauders, and he couldn't be prouder.

"Please do not encourage Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Sirius." Molly pleaded.

"Sorry, Molly, but this takes skill. Your boys are quite talented."

"Thank you! See mum, Sirius believes in us!" George exclaimed. That one earned Sirius a death glare from Molly, but if he encouraged the boys to keep up their work, he considered it worth Molly's wrath.

Following the twins, Hermione gave Harry a calendar, each month decorated with an infamous international quidditch player. The player for next month was none other than Victor Krum, Bulgaria's seeker. Hermione intended for it to help keep Harry organized with his upcoming assignments. However, Harry fully planned on taking it apart and pinning the magical photographs to his bedroom walls as cool posters.

Luna and Xenophilius gave him a copy of Newt Scamander's Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them. They made sure to bookmark a few pages with the magical creatures they found most fascinating.

Ginny gave him a journal, promising that this one wasn't secretly controlled by Tom Riddle. While Ron gave him a collection of sweets from Honeydukes including a few sugar quills, two nose biting teacups, and a box of every flavor beans. "I would've gotten you more, but I've been saving my pocket change for... well I'll tell you later," Ron said, apologizing for his gift not being as cool as the sneak scope he gave Harry the year before.

"No, it's great, Ron, really. Thank you." Harry said, putting the bag of sweets in a pile with his other presents.

"This is from Arthur and I," Molly said, handing Harry a small yellow envelope. Harry took the envelope with a confused look on his face. Tawny too seemed surprised. It seemed that both of them were expecting a handknitted sweater, even in the summer.

When he opened the letter, he pulled out two thick slips of parchment. Before Sirius could read them, Harry had jumped up from his seat hollering in excitement. "No way! Tickets to the Quidditch World Cup! Bloody hell this is amazing! Thank you!" Harry yelled, throwing himself into Molly and Arthur for a hug.

"Molly, Arthur those must have cost a fortune," Tawny said, her voice weak with shock.

"I have a mate in the department of Magical Games and Sports, and he cut me a deal. I got tickets for the boys and I, and Ginny and Hermione as well. I thought we could make it a family affair. If you notice Harry, there's two. I know Tawny and Remus don't really care for quidditch, but Sirius might like to join. If he's up for it."

"Please, Sirius! You have to come!" Harry begged.

The last time Sirius had been to the Cup he was just a few years older than Harry. France hosted the cup the summer before his fourth year. With the Cup being a tournament that year, the Potters instantly purchased tickets since it was the first of its kind. Luckily for Sirius, they bought one for him as well. That summer Sirius and James watched every match of the tournament, and even signed onto the dissimulator craze that all the fans participated in. By the end of the tournament, he bet James fifty galleons that Madagascar would beat Syria in the final. When Syria won, he didn't even care. It was one of the best summers of his life, especially since he spent it with his best mate. Going to the Cup this year with Harry... it would be like reliving his time with James. Oh, and of course a bonding moment with his godson. He couldn't pass up that opportunity. Even if it meant he had to face getting recognized by everyone in the wizarding world.

"How could I say no?" Sirius said, causing Harry to jump into his arms this time.

"Yes! I can't wait!" Harry yelled, his voice thick with excitement. Sirius smiled, hugging his godson back. He had to admit, August 22nd, couldn't come soon enough.