A Winter Wizards Tale

Prologue

Islington, London, England

December 23rd, 1970

I feel I should inform you that many years ago growing up it was always the same when he looked out of his window, but this day was one he would never forget and not just because it was the first holiday home during his first year. It was a dark December morn cold, crisp cotton snow blanketed the roads, frost cob webbed window panes glittered in the Royal blue sky, there was no sound, no cars rushing on hard blackened tar, no people walking whispering hushed conversations to their neighbours over the hedges, no dogs howling to the sky. No one knew what was about to happen as the world slept blissfully in their warm cosy beds. Violet and grey mist swirled and sparked the frigid air warmed and crackled as the mist grew.

Unsurprisingly for you to hear I'm sure he was awake, awake in the cold dreary house that he had to call his home well until he moved out that is but for now he was sat upon his windowsill in the dark ominous house that no one could see. Looking out the window waiting for the sun to rise, sighing dejectedly Sirius began to wonder if he should go see if his younger brother was awake or not. Regulus his little brother was what many people called a 'chip off the old block' it was probably due to him being so much like their parents. You see if you have not figured it out yet well clearly, you are not a Ravenclaw now are you? Sorry could not help it at any rate the story I am about to tell you is the story of one Sirius Orion Black the third. Yes, I know believe it or not he often did think it was a stupid name?

His best friends the Marauders James, Remus and Peter and oh merlin did they have a lot of fun pranking people. He could never quite explain it but when he was with James, Sirius would get a little weird like a strange fuzzy feeling in his stomach, almost like he had swallowed loads of butterflies, throat closed almost like it had been stuck with sticky, gooey, honey and his head would start buzzing and he would go dizzy. Sirius often wondered if perhaps James would mean more to him eventually or rather he hoped he would. That silly little muggle born Evans would never understand him not like he could but then again James seemed to think that the frail, boring little girl was the most beautiful girl he ever met, she really was not though. I mean alright her eyes are beautiful but only because I do not think there is a single wizarding family that exists with bright, glistening Jade eyes like hers but then again, I did not see any of her family with those same eyes, sorry I digress anyway going back to Sirius.

A floorboard outside of his bedroom door creaked, obviously someone was awake as far as he was concerned though he did not care as long as it was not that stupid house elf of theirs Kreacher. Sirius decided in that moment he wouldn't sit and wait for his brother he would just get up and leave his room, as he stood he could feel his legs stiffen in protest to the sudden movement, crossing the plush dark grey carpeted floor he reached the varnished black doors sparkling silver handle.

Opening it he discovered his father was stood before him, now this may surprise you however Sirius and his father actually had quite a good relationship where as he always felt his mother resented his existence his father tried what he could to give him and his brother a good childhood without his mother's knowledge which I suppose wasn't easy to do. his father looked conflicted almost as if he wished to say something to Sirius but knew he shouldn't at least not near his mother it's not that she scared him I don't think she could ever scare him no, I believe it was because he worried for his young sons. As they stood staring at each other Orion seemed to of decided to merely remain quiet, he sighed shook his head and walked away from his son and you see he would soon discover that it would be what his father would remain to do throughout those remaining years at number 12. He would merely sigh and walk away from him, his eldest son, his dog star until Sirius finally decided he had enough and ran away.

West Country, England

December 29th, 1979

Their relationship over the years had changed considerably even though he "married Lily Evans" it simply was not the case in fact it was a ruse so they could hide their biggest secret yet – their marriage. Evans stated quite a while ago now that most muggles are against such relationships that was not to say that she was of course because she is not Lily was actually supportive. they were not hiding their marriage from the wizarding world because they did not agree with it no, they were hiding it because of Voldemort as he could use it to his advantage perhaps even against one another which they would not allow to happen, I mean they simply loved each other far too much.

So as Sirius sat in front of the fire that was glowing softly upon the crackling wooden logs, embers slowly flickering and dying upon the black slate hearth, the soft velvety cream carpet warmed from the heat it gave. he looked up to see the man that he was in love with walk over to him with a soft smile on his beautiful face his inky, jet black hair ruffled and mused like he just quite literally rolled out of bed; His bright Hazel eyes sparkled and danced with amusement but they knew what they were both thinking. He grinned as he reached his hand out to James which he gave him. he loved James with all his heart, body and soul as cliché as that may be Sirius always told him to count the stars James always laughed and said he was soft in the head to which Sirius would chuckle and beg him to do it James would always shake his head and sigh saying there was too many to count he would tell him that he loved him as much as there was as many stars in the sky.

Over the years their time together had ups and downs – a lot of downs may I add but Sirius favourite ups would forever be engraved in his mind including when James gave birth to their little prince Callix Orion Fleamont Black. He was so perfect inky hair like James in small soft, silky tufts his eyes were a beautiful seafoam blue, he was perfect from his tiny pale pink pudgy hands to his cute curled up little toes he was complete perfection and all because James and Sirius had created him. Now though when they watched him play on the floor their handsome prince played happily with his Quidditch players that he was obsessed with not that he would ever complain that is his boy could want whatever he wanted and his father would always give in.

Callix their little Cal had just celebrated his third birthday a few short months back now he had just been spoiled rotten for Christmas especially by his godfather Remus who had bought him said Quidditch players including books on the sport and numerous memorabilia featuring Cal's favourite team well it was Sirius favourite team too - Puddlemere United. Now tonight his parents would tell him the special news they had for him he would no longer be an only child as of next year they would have another baby. After telling Callix he would be a big brother and after much screaming as well as jumping up and down clearly excited, they would discover they were having another prince and then on the 31st of July 1980 they would have their little boy Hadrian Altair James Black although he was the Potter heir he was still a Black, He was just like his big brother with the most beautiful stunning eyes.

Two little princes their little heroes they were so perfect with their soft raven hair, Callix seafoam blue eyes and Hadrian's emerald eyes, their crooked little smiles even Hadrian's dimples were endearing. their beautiful boys were perfect in every sense of the word Sirius life was perfect or at least he believed it to be after all had good friends and his family- the man that he loved and his precious boys he had more than he could ever hope or believed he would have.

West Country, England

25th September 1980

When they had Callix and Hadrian they were not exactly trying nor were they planning either of them you know because the war and all that rubbish was going on. I mean Sirius own parents would never know their grandchildren regardless to their son having a perfect pureblood marriage oh; you know I never realised he had done that until now and it was not even on purpose now that is funny.

Coming home from an Order meeting Sirius had been feeling slightly stressed, that stupid old goat! He wanted them to fund the Order in their mission to get rid of Voldemort it was a complete joke the man had no restraint and the Potter money was already funding them as it was, it was just plain ridiculous. If that were not enough to push him over the edge then what he would discover later most certainly would. Walking to the kitchen he stopped as he saw James stood at the sink doing the dishes humming slightly under his breath, so Sirius leaned against the doorframe smiling at his husband.

"Have the boys been ok?" he asked him as he knew James was aware he was here

"They've been fine Siri how was the meeting?" he replied smiling to himself

Sirius sighed and lowered his head slightly "To be honest love I personally think we need to stop funding the Order" he knew James might not agree but with what happened tonight Sirius had no doubt in his mind about his suggestion. James was surprised, he turned to face his husband

"Why is that Siri? I mean alright I haven't let Knarlshack pay the last two payments into the account but that was because I thought something was wrong with the accounts", he knew his husband always had a reason for his actions regardless to how rash they might have been. Sirius looked at James and blinked just when did this happen? And why had James not said anything or Dumbledore for that matter.

"Why didn't you tell me? I would have been more prepared tonight if I had known" not that Sirius was angry at James he just was confused as to why he hadn't said anything.

James looked at his husband "Well, it weren't long after I had Hadrian so I thought I was over tired when I was going through the accounts but it hadn't straightened out at all and I went back only the other week as you know and it's still not right which is strange but I don't know Sirius maybe one of the investments has fallen through or something I mean I'm not on top of it. To be honest love I think you should take over for a while because it's just confusing me".

He was stunned James hadn't said anything because he was worried he had messed something it was so obvious "Its fine love, I don't mind going through them if that's what you want but you should of said something" he walked up to his husband and circled around his husbands waist, he loved how James fit so perfectly in his arms. "Maybe we should talk tomorrow you've kept me on my toes the past week with this surprise so what is it?".

James smiled, trust Siri to be so understanding to then distract him, he laughed as it really should not have surprised him in the least. "Oh, that its nothing I was only wondering if you thought Cal should move out of the nursery into his own room I mean Hadrian and the baby are going to be in there so it's not really fair to him having to put up with both of his siblings when he can have his own space right?" James smirked and waited for the sickle to drop so to speak, now that is not to say Sirius was stupid or slow it was just more fun to see if he would realise what it was, he had said.

"Well I can't argue with that I mean Cal is old to have his own room, right? And I know I weren't sharing with Regulus when I was his age so I don't think he would mind being in another room" Sirius thought it was a good idea his son would be four soon enough wouldn't he? he could have his own room right? James sighed his husband was distracted today "Yeah, exactly and just think we can soon forget about all this stupid war and just focus on our family, you, me and our three precious babies"

"Well, that does sound good just us and our three—did you just say three?" he must have misheard. "Yes, Sirius three, our two boys who are up in their beds asleep and this one right here" taking his husbands hand he placed on his abdomen, he smiled as Sirius finally realised what he had said.

"Were having another baby? We're going to have three babies just like we wanted" Sirius grinned at his husband yes, he decided a while ago that his life, despite the ongoing war, was in fact perfect but no it was almost perfect because once it was February 16th 1981 that was when his life was officially perfect, the moment he took his two older boys to see James smiling tiredly at them holding baby Phineas Pollux Sebastian Black that was the moment his life was perfect for him.

Godric's Hollow, England

October 26th, 1981

Hadrian had not long since turned one, Callix well he was five and his sweet little Phineas (who was currently teething so when he wasn't sound asleep was a grizzly little boy) was eight months old already honestly he thought his life couldn't be any better and now he found his funny, sexy husband singing whilst he was tidying up the living room after the boys, the boys were up in their beds asleep so he leaned against the doorway and just watched him. Sirius smiled as he watched him and wondered just how lucky he was to have all that he loved in his life. His husband James, his three beautiful boys and his best friends, just about everything in his life was what he would call perfection.

"You do realise just because you're stood watching me, thinking you're cool it doesn't mean you are right?" James asked him smugly with his back turned towards his husband. "I weren't trying to do anything babe, I was just making a memory" he replied, smirking as he pushed himself off the doorway, he walked up to his husband and wrapped his arms around his waist.

"Hmmm? is that right? hey, do you think the boys are ok? I mean they are asleep?" he asked him with a small smile playing wistfully on his lips, his eyes holding a small glimmer in them. "Yeah it is and of course they are, they were asleep faster than you could say Snitch why do you ask?" Sirius was wondering what it was that could put such a smile on his beloved husband's face

"Well it was just because I know one of our boys was fast asleep, he's definitely not wiggling about right now so he must be asleep but I don't know I just wanted to make sure all four of our boys were sleeping" hopefully his husband would pick up his hint and realise what he was trying to tell him.

"Well obviously all four of them are asle - wait, did you just say four? we only have three?" he was confused, did James forget they only had three? "Four Siri, babe we have two upstairs in their beds, one in his Moses basket and another right here" James took Sirius left hand and placed it on his stomach, smiling at his husband as he let the news sink in. "Were having another baby? Seriously? Don't make a joke with that please" he was desperate for it not to be a joke.

"Yeah, were having another baby" It was the perfect life as far as Sirius was concerned, his life had just gotten even more perfect and he could not wait for their new baby.

Whitehall, London, England

18th June 1996

Duelling with the likes of Bellatrix Lestrange was certainly not what Harry thought would happen today but then again, he didn't expect his godfather to be used in a vision by stupid Voldemort honestly his expectations of the snake-man was lowering all the time in all honesty. Green, Red and Blue flashes of light were whizzing past his head as he duelled alongside Sirius, for a moment he thought ~I wonder if this is what dad and Sirius used to do when they were in the Order? Stood side by side duelling with the enemy~ he almost laughed at that thought but as he glanced at Sirius, he could see his concern for a second Harry himself let his guard down and almost got blasted into a wall.

"Harry!" Sirius shouted worried for his young son as he raced to his side "Sirius I'm fine really" Harry insisted he did not like the expression on Sirius's face he looked quite angry. "You and your friends need to go back to the school Harry your too young to deal with this right now" he really didn't want his son near Bella or the other Death Eaters, he wouldn't be able to cope if he lost his son he lost three as it was not to mention he lost James. Losing Harry would kill him he was sure of it.

"What!? Sirius no I can help really, I can do this" he protested, he had to do this what if Voldemort showed up? He could not lose Sirius to him he lost enough to him as it was.

The only thing that had ever bothered Sirius since he escaped Azkaban was that until the past summer he had kept thinking of harry as his godson but some how he had knew; he had knew the whole time that Harry was Hadrian his son his perfect little boy well one of them anyway. Somehow he would find Callix and Phineas, he would find James or James body he would not stop until he did. It killed him enough as it was that he never even got to hold his youngest he had always imagined what the little one might have looked like had he been born.

He sighed "harry please leave it to us and go back to Hogwarts as he dodged another spell from his ever so charming cousin Bellatrix ~honestly I thought she was one of the families best duellist this is just getting pathetic~ the longer the battle went on the more concerned Sirius became for his child, the more tired and weary he became.

"Hey Bella! Are you ready to go to hell? I'm sure my mother cant wait to see you" he asked mockingly "oh I'm sure she would just love to have your company cousin dearest after all it will be you who will surely join her as the filthy disgusting little blood traitor you are" she sneered. Sirius gave out a bark like laugh "oh yeah of course I forgot I'm the one who's a blood traitor guess what Trixie dearest…..your bowing down to a filthy Half-Blood tell me how does it feel to know your darling dark lord never revealed that to you?" Sirius would never forget the horror-struck look that was on her face.

She shrieked and stomped her foot like a two-year-old denied their candy "LIAR! YOU ARE A LIAR! HOW DARE YOU! CRUCIO!" dodging just in time so that the curse hit a pillar against the veil instead ~bloody hell that was close~ he let out a long relieved sigh, determined not to let her get away so easily Sirius turned back and faced the enraged witch wand held tightly in his hand. "ok now I'm done playing games were finishing this once and for all" taking his stance thinking of only four beautiful boys and his one true love Sirius centred himself but he knew he would not kill her.

Whilst Sirius and Bellatrix duelled fiercely the entirety of the Order fought back against the Death Eaters no one had once realised that Harry had raced after Voldemort never glancing behind him. No one had seen the few extra wands that were blasting off hexes and curses left, right and centre and no one saw the cloaked figure who had been watching Harry and his father so closely now though he was torn. Should he race after Harry or watch Sirius ensuring his safety in a split moment decision believing Sirius would be fine by himself he chased after Harry hoping that the lad was fine holding his own against a fabled dark lord.

Seeing flashes or red, green, gold and blue lights hiding in a darkened corner so no one on either side of the wall would see him as despite being covered in his thick woollen cloak he did not want to be discovered just yet.

He watched closely, carefully ensuring that he was fine glancing back ever so often to see if Sirius was safe noticing that he was hold his own really rather well ~Jeez! Sirius really has somehow managed to keep his strength whilst he was in Azkaban I never once saw him like this before now that is interesting~ turning back to monitor Harry's progress if he needed any help which surprisingly enough just yet did not seem to be the case he would say he was stunned but that wasn't the case as he was well aware on where Hadrian came from as he knew who his parents were extremely rather well.

The lad was incredibly strong not physically exactly he was being honest but the lad was magically incredibly strong it was amazing being able to see his power, of seeing his magic react so beautifully wielding his wand blasting spell after spell at Voldemort it was surprising knowing that he was only a teenager.

He was so immersed in watching the duel between the two wondering about whether at any point he would need to jump in to protect Hadrian which from where he stood at that precise moment in time he highly doubted would be the case he never realised that two of the others that he had came to the ministry with were stood right behind him not until one of them gently placed their hand upon his shoulder he turned back to them all of their cloaks hoods were up shrouding their heads in darkness "We should probably leave soon most of the Death Eaters are either caught or have fled and I'm pretty sure Hadrian can handle his own from here but if we don't leave soon then we wont be able to keep our secret hidden any longer" the one who was stood between himself and the one who spoke hummed in agreement he turned around staring right back at Hadrian.

He sighed shoulders sagging as he said what he dreaded to say but knowing that this was the right decision to make he nodded his head turned back "Tell the others were leaving make sure they stay in the shadows, watch out for Moody, Remus and Sirius. Moody has his eye, Sirius was one of the top hit wizards when he was an Auror and the full moon was the other night Remus will still be able to scent, hear and see you his senses are far too high right now so be extra cautious" with two quick "yes sirs!" they left, he glanced back at Hadrian one last time before he left just as quick with the others knowing he would see Hadrian once again.