CW: stressful situations, anxiety

Christmastime was fast approaching, and Remus had finally managed to arrange a visit with the Weasleys. Between their ancient owl, Harry's busy school schedule, and Remus' forgetfulness, they'd kept missing each other. But now, as Remus was buttoning up Harry's coat, he explained about other wizarding children.

"Now Harry," Remus began. "Some kids might act a little differently when they first see you."

"Because of my scar?" Harry asked, poking at his forehead.

"Yes," Remus nodded. "But the Weasleys are really nice, and Mrs. Weasley's told them not to ask any rude questions. You just come to me if they make you uncomfortable, okay?"

Harry nodded. "But they're magic like me, right?"

Remus smiled at him. "Yes, they're a wizarding family."

Harry whooped, rushing Remus out the door. He loved his cousin and his school friends, but he was really excited to finally talk about magic with someone his own age! Besides, Dudley was always out with his school friends nowadays - Petunia had signed him up for swimming lessons and he almost always went home with a friend afterwards.

They had to apparate as Remus did not have a fireplace for the Floo network. He was briefly anxious about this, but Harry listened attentively and held onto Remus' hand tightly so he felt a little bit better. They apparated a few feet away from the Burrow though, so Harry could have a moment after apparating for the first time. He didn't throw up, but it was a near thing.

"It gets easier with time." Remus said soothingly.

"We're doing that again?" Harry looked betrayed.

"Well, yeah." Remus replied, looking bemused. "How else are we supposed to get home?"

"Oh." Harry thought about that as they walked to up the house. "Well, I want a cookie when we get home then."

Remus laughed aloud, patting Harry on the shoulder. "That's the spirit."

Mrs. Weasley practically glowed with excitement, hugging first Remus and then Harry.

"Ron and the other boys are so excited to meet you, Harry." She beamed.

Harry smiled shyly at Mrs. Weasley, but nodded back.

"Thank you for having us, Mrs. Weasley." Remus said for them both.

Harry was immediately pounced on by Fred and George Weasley, who had been practicing a joke routine all morning for his arrival. They plopped him down beside Ron and Ginny, who had also been wrangled into being audience members, and began their act. Harry looked a little confused, but mostly just happy to be accepted so easily.

"Come have a cup of tea, Remus." Mrs. Weasley said kindly. "They'll be at it for a while."

"Alright." Remus followed Mrs. Weasley into her kitchen and took a seat at their dining table.

"You look well," Mrs. Weasley said conversationally as she bustled around the kitchen. "I was surprised to hear from you."

"Yes, well," Remus took the mug Mrs. Weasley held out. "I wanted Harry to have at least some friends in the wizarding world before he goes to Hogwarts."

Mrs. Weasley nodded sympathetically as she took a seat.

"I understand that, certainly. I can't imagine his school years will be easy."

There was a loud bang in the next room and Remus started.

"Oh!" Mrs. Weasley laughed, putting a hand on Remus' arm. "Don't worry, it's just the twins' finale to their act."

And, sure enough, there were ringing laughs and applause from the next room. Remus felt himself relaxing just as another boy came running down the stairs and into the kitchen.

"Mum!" Percy yelled crossly. "Fred and George tried to blow up Scabbers!"

"No, we most certainly did not!" George said in mock outrage. "We just wanted to see -"

"If he could fly!" Fred finished indignantly, holding Scabbers in his hands.

"Boys!" Mrs. Weasley stormed. "You know perfectly well that rats can't fly! Give him here."

Fred shrugged, dropping the rat promptly on the kitchen table. The boys quickly ran back out into the living room, Percy close at their heels as he continued yelling.

"Those two…" Mrs. Weasley muttered, looking for her wand. "Just the other day, they sent a frog flying clean across the yard!"

"Mrs. Weasley."

She turned back around to see Remus' incredibly pale face. She looked at him, confusion clear on her face.

"What is it, Remus?"

Remus had placed a container over the top of Scabbers, sealing the rat in with his wand.

"Is Mr. Weasley home?" He asked, his voice grave.

"I.." Mrs. Weasley still looked very confused. "Yes, he's just in the garden with Charlie."

"Would you be so kind as to bring him inside?" Remus said, keeping his eyes glued on the bowl. "And send all the children outside as well. I don't want them involved, especially Harry."

Mrs. Weasley was nervous now, but she complied. Once Mr. Weasley was in the kitchen and the children were all outside, Remus explained everything. He told them about his time in Hogwarts and the four marauders. He told them about their animagus forms, which made the Weasleys' faces pale slightly more with recognition. Remus ended by explaining what Dumbledore had just told him a few weeks ago.

"If I'm correct," Remus finished. "Then Sirius might be completely innocent. If you'll allow me, I know the charm to force Peter back into his human form. It won't hurt the rat if I'm wrong."

They both looked incredibly pale and shocked, but Mr. Weasley nodded his head. They both had their wands, so Remus took his and released the charm on the bowl. Scabbers immediately tried to escape, but Remus stunned him before he cleared the table. In another moment and a few wand movements, Peter Pettigrew lay on the kitchen table.

Mrs. Weasley shrieked, then immediately shushed herself so the boys wouldn't all come back into the kitchen. Mr. Weasley, on the other hand, swore in an undertone and came around the table to look Peter in the eye. Shaking his head in disbelief, he turned to Remus.

"How on earth did you know it was him?" He asked, incredulous.

"I've seen him transform hundreds of times." Remus said woodenly. "And here, you can see his missing finger."

He pointed to the nub where Peter's finger used to be. Now that he'd found Peter, his mind had become both numb and frantic. If Peter was here, what did that mean for Sirius? Peter hiding in a wizarding home after he was supposedly dead made it seem like maybe Sirius was even more innocent than he thought.

"What on earth are we supposed to do, Arthur?" Mrs. Weasley murmured. "What will we tell the children?"

"Never mind the children!" Mr. Weasley stormed. "There's an innocent man in Azkaban and a murderer on my kitchen table!"

"Mr. Weasley," Remus touched his shoulder gently, which seemed to help him calm down. "If we contact the aurors and get the Ministry involved, will they release Sirius?"

Mr. Weasley thought about it for a moment, then nodded his head. "I think this new evidence will clear him."

He looked at Remus, seeing the hope in his eyes. "I'll take care of it, Remus."

Remus looked away, tears in his eyes. "Thank you."

He looked back up at Mrs. Weasley. "Would Percy like an owl? I would be happy to replace his pet - it might help you avoid any questions. At least temporarily."

Mrs. Weasley ran her hands through her curly hair, her eyes wide as saucers.

"Well, I… I suppose that would be alright. I just can't believe…"

"Molly!" Mr. Weasley rushed back over to help Mrs. Weasley sit down, as she looked like she might faint. "I'm going to make a strong cup of tea before I go."

"No, you most certainly are not!" Mrs. Weasley came back to herself. "You are going to take this…" She gestured at Peter despairingly. "Away right this minute!"

"I'll make the tea, Arthur." Remus stood up. "But she's right. The children could come back inside any moment now."

Mr. Weasley looked at them all for a moment, but then nodded. Using his wand, he levitated Peter up off the table and over to the fireplace. As he got ready to leave, he called back over his shoulder.

"Someone should contact Dumbledore as well!"

Notes:

It's happening! We're rescuing Sirius! Ya'll... I'm so happy. It won't be all peachy and happy right away, but still.

Anyways, I'm sorry if my portrayal of the Weasleys is not the best. For some reason I just have a roadblock when it comes to writing Mrs. Weasley's character. I'll keep tinkering though. As for why we're just meeting them now, since they were initially invited to Harry's birthday.

The twins burnt up most of the first letter, and Remus only got their letter back the week of Harry's birthday. At that point, he chose not to re-invite them for three reasons - 1) it likely wouldn't get there in time, 2) he didn't want to overwhelm Harry, who hadn't ever had a birthday before, and 3) Remus is playing the long-game with magic and the Dursleys. We're seeing Petunia slowly accept magic around her, so eventually when Dudley sees magic it won't be as big of a deal.

But most importantly - SIRIUS IS COMING BACK!

Happy Reading!