CW: mentions of the ocean, food, discussions of death
:FIFTY-EIGHT:
They remained at the summer house for two weeks, soaking up the sun and spending the majority of their time in the ocean. Even Remus and Petunia developed slight tans, though they both wore sun lotion religiously. It was fun, but also incredibly necessary, for them to have this time away from their own lives.
Petunia and Noah seemed to be glowing, their relationship healthy and strong. But it was Noah and Dudley's relationship that seemed to bloom in front of everyone's eyes during this trip. Though Noah went out of his way to visit and write to Dudley while he was in school, the two weeks just spending time together really developed their bond. Noah taught him to fish, and Dudley helped teach him to whittle.
Sirius and Remus found themselves relaxing too. After constant pressure and dark magic surrounding them for the last two years, they'd almost forgotten what it felt like to be truly content. Remus had finally been able to read for pleasure again, practically devouring a book Sirius had given to him for Christmas. Sirius, on the other hand, had spent almost every moment moving, either swimming in the ocean, building sand castles on the beach, or dancing with Remus in the kitchen to his favorite songs.
But it was in Harry that the most change occurred. Where a weight had seemed to drag him down before, he now looked his age again. As he experienced the world around him and spent time with the people who mattered so much to him now, it was if Harry remembered who he really was and all he had in his life. Where there had been a darkness, Harry had pushed forward into the light.
When they returned home, Harry immediately went off to his room to package up all his gifts for his friends. He'd collected various seashells and other trinkets that he wanted to give everyone. As a precaution, they'd instructed Hedwig to only bring letters to Kreacher so they wouldn't be bothered by anything else during their holiday, so Harry also had letters from his friends to open.
Sighing dejectedly, Sirius held up a letter that clearly had Dumbledore's handwriting on it.
"It was a good break while it lasted, anyway." He ripped open the letter. "Let's see what he has to say now."
Sirius read the letter aloud, surprise coloring his tone. Dumbledore's letter was short, but confusing. He had succeeded in destroying the ring, but had 'encountered difficulties' destroying it that required some medical attention. He finished the letter by stating that he would be in touch later that summer.
"What do you think he means, encountered difficulties?" Remus asked, looking over the letter again as Sirius set it down.
"Whatever it is, I hope it was painful." Sirius retorted, stretching his arms over his head. "But we've earned a reprieve, Remus! No nonsense for a while longer."
Remus frowned, but let the matter drop. He didn't want Harry to overhear the conversation, not until it was necessary for them to explain everything to Dumbledore. Sirius and Remus had agreed that Harry deserved to be there when they told Dumbledore, and that he would be less likely to say anything about 'the greater good' if Harry was literally looking him in the eye. But, for now, there was no point bringing up the subject.
"I'll just put it with the others, then." Remus said, taking the letter and placing it in his study.
They'd kept all of their correspondence with Dumbledore in one place, wary of it being read by the wrong people and of Dumbledore attempting to gaslight them later. They wanted to keep objective records of all their conversations with the man to keep their family safe.
When he'd come back out into the main room, Kreacher was waiting for him.
"Did you have a good trip, Master Remus?" Kreacher asked politely, straightening the cushions in the living room. "I have tended to the plants and the owl, as you requested."
"No need for the 'Master', Kreacher." Remus said for the hundredth time. "But yes, it was a very good trip. Were you alright here?"
"Of course," Kreacher replied. "Kreacher likes the quiet, and Kreacher had Hedwig for company."
He walked slowly out of the living room, following the beeping sound of the oven. He'd been baking again - working his way through the cookbook Remus had given him at Christmas. Sirius greeted Kreacher as they passed in the hallway, flopping over onto Remus on the couch.
"I don't want you to go back to work!" Sirius said dramatically.
"You're silly," Remus chuckled, playing with Sirius' curls. "I literally sit right next to you while I work."
"Yeah, but," Sirius pouted. "It's different."
"I like my work, Sirius." Remus replied, getting his materials out. "I know I don't need to anymore, but I genuinely enjoy my job."
Sirius sighed. "Fine. But we're watching that movie I like while you work then."
Remus laughed, shaking his head. "We would've watched it anyway!"
Sirius smirked, flicking his wand casually and sending the movie over to the television, bringing the remote over to himself.
"So lazy." Harry teased, plopping onto the floor next to the couch.
"What're you doing, kiddo?" Sirius asked, looking over Harry's shoulder as he placed coloring materials on the coffee table.
"It's nothing," Harry shrugged. "I just haven't colored since I was a kid and kinda missed it lately."
Sirius nodded, smiling at the back of Harry's head. "Make me a Harry original then, alright?"
Harry chuckled, ignoring him as he began sketching on the paper.
Meanwhile, at Hogwarts…
"How long?" Dumbledore asked, as Snape observed his injured hand.
"Maybe a year." Snape grit out, anger and fear laced into his voice as he turned away. "What is that thing, Headmaster?"
"A very dark magical object." Dumbledore replied calmly. "It's harmless now though. I just...got distracted."
"Distracted…" Snape shook his head angrily. "What are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean?" Dumbledore looked up at Snape. "I'm going to live, Severus. Dying is not something to be afraid of - and I just so happen to be aware of when it will happen. It's actually rather convenient, in a way."
"Convenient?" Snape shook his head in disbelief. "How can you be so...so casual about this?"
Dumbledore smiled up at Snape, a little sadly. "Severus, when you've lived as long as I have, death becomes a lot less frightening."
"Now," Dumbledore turned back to his desk. "I need to reply to the Minister regarding the Triwizard Tournament."
Notes:
There - for all my Dumbledore haters - he's going to die by the end of the fourth year because he touched the ring before destroying the horcrux. Next chapter we have to do the not fun bit of getting Harry's horcrux out.
Until then,
Happy Reading!