Chapter 20:

So Much Love

July 2, 1985

The newest packet of information arrived early this morning, and Kitty was in the magical library trying to decipher the items in the pictures. There had been a raid on Cuthbert Avery's home in Yugoslavia, and the items in the photographs had been confiscated. Most of them had been identified; there were three in the Department of Mysteries being studied. The pictures of two liquids, however, worried Kitty.

After Harry's mentioning of Unicorn Blood and Snake Venom in one of his bizarre nightmares, Sirius had gone to the Black Family Vault and taken every book on Dark Artifacts and Dark Potions he could find. His mother had passed a month ago, and he now owned entirely the Black family's riches and their many homes here and abroad. Sirius and James had become close to Alastor Moody during the war, and Sirius sought him out regarding curses on the properties. Understanding that most curses died with the caster, there were some which could be cast to hold long after death. Sirius wanted proof he wouldn't be hexed or cursed just for walking into the place. Though he was in 'retirement,' Moody had agreed to check out Grimmauld Place and the Black's summer home on Jersey, Nuit Noire. It might be pleasant to go to the beach for a week this summer, and away from the crowds in Brighton where Kitty's summer home was. His family home had a private beach.

Sirius wasn't terribly keen on Potions. James had come to it naturally; he'd been brewing with his parents since he was a child and probably started Hogwarts at a third-year level. Lily excelled as well, claiming it was like cooking. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of ingredients and how they interacted. The rest of their bunch did okay, but none of them were naturals at it. Kitty had virtually given up brewing anything; instead, choosing to pay for a professional to brew and automatically stock her home Potions case. Her work case was stocked by the Ministry in the same way. Sirius willingly admitted that he'd lost most of his school lessons in everything save Transfigurations, Charms, and Defense; life in prison required little Magical theory or potion formulas.

Remus continued to brew simple potions but didn't touch the Wolfsbane Potion brewing. He 'paid' Kitty to have it in her kit each month, but she confessed he was only paying about a tenth of the real cost. She insisted on his taking it when it became available earlier this year, regardless of the cost. She claimed it was a safety precaution for Harry. Remus accepted her reasoning and stopped fussing over the price when they'd agreed on his portion. Full moon nights were nothing like they had been. Sirius slept on a large dog pillow while Remus sometimes prowled but mostly slept on a mattress in the former coal storage bin of his home.

With his mind on potions and a werewolf, Sirius went to find his lover. He'd accept she was being drawn back into work, although she'd asked to stay in the country since she now had a small child. Analyst work wasn't as exciting, but it was safer. The only time she'd leave the UK would be to visit one of the magical courts in Europe; Kitty was born with credentials the Ministry couldn't duplicate. She walked in the front door of the castles, and nearly everyone would bow to her superior rank. He chuckled at the reality of his princess, not dressed in finery and having servants care for her; instead, he found her in one of his tee shirts, tied at the side, so it wasn't a dress. He loved how it showed off just a hint of her midriff, immediately desiring his lips on her smooth skin. The cutoff jeans showed her long, tanned legs and feet bare, with hot pink toenail polish. She was as sexy in this outfit as she was in lingerie.

"Hey," she said when he came into view. "Do you know what any of these things are? I don't recognize them, but Potions isn't my thing."

"The Aurors were sure they're Potions related?" Sirius asked, leaning over her to look at the photos. The person handling them in the picture was wearing dragon hide gloves, thick ones from their look. The object was turned to the sides, so all was visible.

"They were found in the Potions lab, so it's a safe assumption."

"Sorry, although this one looks familiar," Sirius said, pointing at the third picture. "Like I saw it as a kid."

"In Monty's workshop, maybe?"

"No, more like when I still lived with my wretched parents. Once I get the all-clear from Alastor, I'll start searching that place for Dark items and purging them. We might need a place in London someday. I want it safe to be in." Kitty nodded, still perplexed by the pictures.

"Oh, this was in my packet," she said, withdrawing a small envelope from under other papers and pictures. "Amelia said it was found in the bottom of a desk in the MLE department with your name on it."

Sirius opened the small tie closure and was surprised to find the ring he'd been carrying when he was arrested. Someone had put it aside for safekeeping, although he didn't know who. Kitty was so distracted by her work she didn't even ask what it was as Sirius slid it into his pocket. He'd looked at other rings, but nothing felt as right as the one from Fee Potter. All he needed now was the right time and place to ask her.

Later that night, the family had gone into the village for ice cream, and they were walking back in a leisurely fashion. Several people said hello to Remus, and one of his pupils ran up to him to share a story about her cat, Kittypaws, becoming pregnant and was having kittens any day. The girl, Emily, was eight and offered Harry a kitten on the spot. Harry looked up at his three guardians. Sirius looked particularly horrified at the possibility; Padfoot wasn't a fan of felines.

"Emily, that is a very kind offer," Kitty answered first, "but we already have a doggy living with us."

"Not all the time," Harry piped up. Sirius was shaking his head at Harry, given the little girl wouldn't understand about Animagus transformations. Something must have dawned on Harry, and he chose to keep quiet.

"You could have a cat and a dog," Emily suggested.

Remus knelt to be eye level with her. "Our doggy doesn't have the right temperament to live with a cat. Anyway, we have a Kitty," he said, pointing to her.

"Your name is Kitty?"

"Well, that's what people call me. My real name is Ekaterina."

"I can see why you chose Kitty. My real name is Emerson, but I like Emily better. Emerson was my mummy's last name before she married my daddy."

"Thank you for offering a cat to us, it was very polite," Harry said. The three adults were in unison in their pride at how Harry was acting. It had been nearly one year since he came to live with them, and in that time, he had blossomed into a kind, loving, and smart little boy.

"We should go. We have a long walk home," Kitty said.

"Where do you live?" Emily asked, her father had now joined her and had greeted Remus warmly.

"That big house on the hill," Harry said proudly.

"Ah, so you're Lady Fawley," Emily's father, Walter, said.

"I am, it's a pleasure to meet you," She offered her hand, and he shook it warmly. She then introduced Sirius. He noticed she'd straightened her back and lifted her head. His Kitty was replaced with the more formal Lady Fawley.

"Thank you for all you've done for the village. The new surgery has been so helpful. We don't have to drive to Carlisle any longer, and it's meant a great deal to us."

"I'm quite pleased I was able to help. If you think of any other way we can improve life for those living in the village, please pass it along to Remus. I'm in contact with the village council to implement what I can, but I'm open to others' ideas."

"Thank you," Walter said. "You're certainly more active than your father was." Kitty didn't like the backhanded insult to her father but said nothing.

"My father works in France and has for many years. I think that's why he transferred the deed and responsibilities to me. I work here, and I chose to live here. It's a wonderful place to raise Harry."

"Which one of you is the daddy?" Emily asked.

"I don't really have a dad or a mum," Harry said. "My mummy and daddy were killed when I was a baby. I live with my Auntie Kitty, Uncle Remus, and Uncle Sirius now."

"That's very sad to hear, Harry. I don't think I'd like to not have my daddy. My mummy left us a long time ago and lives in Spain now," Emily explained.

"We'll let you get going," Walter said, "but maybe we can set up a playdate for these two?"

"We'll see," Sirius said, speaking up for the first time. "Thank you for the invitation." Walter nodded and then took Emily by the hand, and they headed back toward the village while Harry and his guardians resumed their way out of the village and home. Harry chatted brightly as they went, but Sirius was contemplative most of the walk.

"You manage everything, don't you?" he said to Kitty when Remus had put Harry on his shoulders.

"I have a staff to help me manage it," Kitty confessed. "I'm more involved with the village's care than my father was, but it's generally handled through my Muggle assistant and accountant."

"No, Katie, you're incredible." He then dropped onto one knee. "I thought I needed the perfect moment to do this, but honestly, right now is as close to perfect as we can get with our clothes on." Kitty softly chuckled and shook her head. Remus had turned around, realizing the other two were lagging.

"Why is Uncle Sirius on the floor?" Harry asked.

"Just watch, Harry," Remus said, beaming.

"My Lady Katie, will you please marry me?"

"Yes," Katie whispered.

Sirius stood up and pulled the ring from his pocket. Kitty admired it for a long moment. The ring Fee had left for Sirius in her will was her first-anniversary gift from Monty. The central stone was a round opal that stood high and cast rainbows onto their face. Surrounding the opal were tiny round diamonds, sparkling brightly in the setting sun. The opal met the band on the sides, graduated baguette diamonds were set, throwing longer sparks of brilliance. The overall effect was magical. Sirius slid the ring onto Kitty's finger and being magical, it was immediately sized to her finger. He kissed her passionately as Harry ran over and wrapped his arms around their legs.

Kitty broke the kiss. "Sirius, I don't feel so –"

Kitty fell to the ground, unconscious.

Author's Note: The next chapter will be up on Monday (or earlier if I write ahead). My beta, Arnel, called me evil. I wish I could say sorry. MNF