CW: manipulation, family

:FORTY-EIGHT:

Noah Williams came around a few times after that, continuing to be the same respectful, kind person they'd met at the Borough Market. It turned out that the reason he was so accepting of Sirius and Remus was because not only did he have a witch for a sister, but she was bisexual and currently in a long-term relationship with a girl name Stella. Remus was surprised that Petunia managed to find someone like him, not aware of how many failed dates Petunia had gone on over the years. She'd made the mistake of ignoring red flags with Vernon Dursley, so she'd spent the last decade making sure she learned from her experience.

It was...nice having him around, if a bit awkward every so often. Dudley especially felt awkward, caught between wanting to protect his mom and wanting to like Noah. It helped that Noah was so unassuming though, allowing Dudley to be whatever he needed to be and being consistent. Petunia told Remus over Sunday coffee that she had never once heard Noah raise his voice or get aggressive. He worked out at the gym twice a week and ran every morning, but he was also just genuinely a happy person.

And he was good for Petunia - in more ways than one. Besides being the opposite of Mr. Dursley, he also pushed her to grow and try new things. She flatly refused to enter the gym he worked at, too much sweat and grime, but she eventually agreed to go on morning jogs with him on weekends. For the first time, Petunia allowed herself to be more spontaneous, more alive than she'd ever been before. She was already growing into herself, but Noah helped her bloom.

He offered to drive her and Dudley up to school when winter holidays were over, which left Remus and Sirius alone to take Harry back to Hogwarts. They were just going to take Harry to the train, but Dumbledore had sent a letter asking them to come to his office if they would. It was written like an invitation and read like an order, which meant Sirius was particularly cross as they marched up the snowy steps of the school.

"I'm just going to unpack," Harry said. "I'll meet you both afterwards, alright?"

He looked nervous, so Remus hugged him. "It'll be alright, Harry. We'll see you in the Great Hall."

They said the password that they were given at the end of Dumbledore's letter. Walking up to the office, Sirius reached for Remus' hand. Remus held it, smiling reassuringly at Sirius and stopping before they got to Dumbledore's door.

"It'll be alright," Remus murmured very quietly. "I'm with you, love."

Sirius nodded bravely, pushing the door open and walking into the office. Dumbledore was once again sitting at his desk, though this time he was waiting for them instead of shuffling through paperwork. His phoenix, Fawks, sat on his golden perch, looking gangly and young.

"He had his burning day right as the holidays started." Dumbledore remarked casually, gesturing for them both to take a seat. "I'm glad you were both able to come in."

"Yes," Remus shuffled in the bag he'd brought, containing the information they'd gathered. "We found Hufflepuff's cup, and we've been doing research on Ravenclaw since then."

Dumbledore nodded amicably, looking over the information Remus gave him with polite interest.

"Basically," Sirius spoke from his seat. "We're at a dead end. Quite literally, as all of Ravenclaw's descendants died out years ago."

"Well put, Sirius." Dumbledore nodded. "I'm afraid I don't know much more than you both, but I will look into it."

"It would have been rather convenient, if you had accepted the position here, Remus. You would have been able to gain more access to the school and its resources."

Remus stiffened in his chair and Sirius' hands tensed imperceptibly.

"However," Dumbledore smiled demurely. "I'm quite pleased with the amount of progress you both have made. I shall certainly owl you both with anything I find."

It was a clear dismissal, which was really for the best as Sirius was about to burst from the underlying message in Dumbledore's words. But he didn't say a word until they were out of the office and outside of the Great Hall to wait for Harry.

"Remus," Sirius said tensely. "Don't you dare let him manipulate you into feeling bad about not taking the DADA position."

Remus smiled at Sirius, reaching out and holding his hand. "Don't worry, Sirius. I know it was the right decision."

He sighed. "Although, he did have a point. It would be helpful if we could explore the castle for information, or at least get access to the Hogwarts library."

Sirius nodded slightly, his eyes wandering around as he thought. "You know what...we do have access to Hogwarts."

"What do you mean?" Remus' brow scrunched together in confusion.

"I mean," Sirius nodded at Harry, who was walking over to them. "We can ask him to just...poke about a bit."

Remus looked uncertain, but didn't say anything as they hugged Harry and went in to have some food. Harry didn't ask about their meeting, knowing that they always made Sirius unhappy. Instead, he chattered about the others who had arrived so far, and the few students that had remained over the holidays.

"So, Harry," Sirius asked. "Do you have any friends outside of Gryffindor?"

Harry considered that for a moment, then shook his head. "I mean, I talk to people in classes from other houses, but for the most part I just talk to the people you've met. Why?"

"No reason," Sirius shrugged casually. "I just think it's good to branch out, you know?"

"Alright." Harry leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "What's this about, dad?"

Sirius smirked apologetically. "Never could get anything past you, huh?"

"Harry," Remus said gently. "We're looking for information about the lost diadem of Ravenclaw. And, if you happen to have friends in Ravenclaw that know something, it would be helpful."

"But do not," He added severely. "And I mean this, do not, do anything dangerous or against the rules. We've had a blissful year without letters from McGonagall and I don't want to break our streak."

Harry smirked, but then his face grew serious again. "I'll look into it. I think Ginny's got a friend in Ravenclaw who might know something. Or Percy's girlfriend - she's a Ravenclaw prefect."

"Percy's got a girlfriend?" Sirius smirk widened. "He never mentioned anything about a girlfriend!"

"Yeah," Harry chuckled. "He tried to hide it, but Ginny caught them kissing in a broom cupboard last year."

Sirius immediately started laughing, then insisted on knowing all of the details. Thankful that the heavy conversation topic had been dropped, Remus observed the two of them discussing Percy's love life contentedly.

Notes:

Gah I'm sorry! I just didn't know how to get this ball rolling without making it too easy. Because we know how and where to find the diadem, but they didn't so I can't write it without them doing some work. But we get to meet our best girl next chapter! It's Luna time!

Happy Reading!