Peter looked up as Sirius barged into the room, smiling despite the angry look on the squib's face.
"I see they found you in one piece."
Sirius brushed past him without a word, tramping up the stairs. Peter bit back a scowl, turning back to Remus.
"He's in a bit of a mood, innit he?"
"Well we just called him a liar over his medical condition," Remus wiped a hand over his face. "Knowing Sirius I wouldn't be surprised if he hung this over us until the war ends."
Peter rolled his eyes. Sitting back on the coach as Remus came over, he said, "It's not our fault, people don't just lose their magic. He needs to just get over it."
"I can't," Peter glanced over to see Remus was staring into the fire. "It is my fault."
Yelping, Peter leaned forwards to gawk at Remus properly. "What do ya mean it's 'your fault'?! Sounds like it's the Black's inbreeding fault from where I'm standing!"
"Stress on his magical core exhilarated the issue," Remus sighed. "If you all hadn't become animagi for me he could have had years left."
Peter scowled, flicking Remus on the forehead. Yelping, Remus finally tore his eyes away from the fireplace to meet his eyes.
"Don't talk like that. So we'll probably have to support Padfoot now, big deal. We'll deal with it as it comes."
"It is a big deal, Peter!" Remus knuckles whitened as he forced himself to stay on the coach. "Sirius is crippled because of me."
"So what? You're just gonna start wallowing in shame because you think it's your fault? Yeah, that's exactly what Padfoot would want."
Remus grit his teeth. "I'm not going to say anything to Sirius."
Laughing, Peter let his head lean back. "You think he's not going to notice you're upset? Get over yourself Moony."
Slowly a snarl grew on Remus's face, though Peter was luckily saved from whatever tongue lashing the werewolf had in store when Sirius came back down the stairs.
"I don't think there was any long term damage," Sirius mutters, pulling the baby closer to his chest (Peter didn't use it's name. He couldn't get attached). His face somewhat pale.
Peter rolled his eyes, forcing a goofy quirk of his lips. "Jeez, you don't trust us at all with him, do you?"
"I don't trust you," Sirius hissed, before hastily adding. "Lily and James sure, but you guys have barely held him."
Peter felt his arm itch, looking towards the door.
"Do you think they'll get back alright?"
"I'm sure they're fine," Sirius said, walking over to look out the window with an almost somber look. "What could kill them isn't out there."
They waited for the Potters to return in a tense sort of silence.
James could kill Sirius.
Grabbing his brother around the neck, James pulled him into a tight embrace. Feeling something finally relax in his chest as he felt Sirius's warmth against the cold that clung on him from outside.
"Thank Merlin," He muttered, barely pulling away when Lily pushed in between them.
"How dare you!" Sirius scrambled back as Lily jabbed at his chest, a glare worthy of the devil on her face. "Running off into the woods again- what the fuck were you thinking?!"
"I-" Sirius started, though Lily wasn't done.
"You could have been mauled," Lily cuts off. "By a bear, or a large dog. Worse yet the Death Eaters could have found you! Do you not understand how dangerous it is, Sirius?!"
Sirius set his hands on her shoulders, preventing Lily from grabbing at her hair. "No one got me, I just… I'm sorry, I didn't think you would notice."
"What, that our family had run off upset?" Lily gripped into his jumper, red blotches spreading across her face. "How could you think that?"
"I…" Sirius got a lost sort of look on his face, before his lips thinned. "Bad experiences. I'm-"
"Don't apologize," Lily sighed, glancing back at James before they flickered back to Sirius. "Just don't do… This again. Please."
"I promise," Sirius brought their hands over his heart. "I won't hurt you guys again."
"Siri, it's not about us," James gripped Sirius's hand, willing his dense brother to look him in the eye. "We don't want to see you get hurt."
Sirius's face reddened. "I was fine, I was just talking to some old drunk."
James felt a healthy amount of alarm at that proclamation. Sirius, either not noticing or not caring, turned away, leading the happy couple down the hall.
"You'll be happy to know Harry's still alive," He said, giving them a soft scowl over his shoulder. "Peter? Really?"
"Weren't any options," Lily retorted hotly. "Remus wouldn't be much better, and if you were in danger you'd need someone who could really fight."
Sirius muttered something under his breath. Straining his ears, James recognized Sirius was speaking French.
Deciding to let that slide, James rolled his eyes and threw an arm over Sirius (earning a yelp) and dragged his brother the rest of the way into the living room. Which honestly felt like someone had died.
"Look what the cat dragged in guys," Smirking, James rubbed his knuckles into the top of Sirius's head, earning an indignant yell. "Siri you could have told us you needed walkies?"
"Do you want us to get you a human-sized collar?" Peter called, earning a laugh from James.
"Careful, that's my little brother you're talking about."
Pushing James off, Sirius hid the twitching of his lips with a sneer with practiced ease. "Oh fuck off."
"Careful guys," Lily called, easily scooping Harry put of Remus's arms. "His bite might be worse than his bark."
Sirius groaned, falling back onto the coach. "I hate you all. You're so cruel."
Sitting on the back of the coach, James petted Sirius's head. Gently he brushed tangles out of inky black hair.
James smirked. "Big words for someone for whom I've seen lose it over a very shiny blue-"
"-That was one time!" Sirius exclaimed, sitting up with a start. His cheeks burned as the laughs filled the once quiet room.
The room was warm and cozy. Sirius could almost forget his family's would-be killer was still in the room.
As Pettigrew and Remus went to leave, Remus lagged a bit behind as Sirius forced himself to bid the rat a civil farewell. Sirius looked up as he felt his hand get grabbed.
"Before I go," Remus swallowed. "I really am sorry."
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Its not your fault, James always trusted Peter too much with breakable things."
Remus blinked at him.
"What?" Sirius looked around, almost nervously. "Is that not what you're talking about?"
"Your… condition." Remus tried to clarify. "We… I made it a lot worse."
"Oh." Awkwardly, Sirius tucked some of his hair behind his ear. "I'm not… I'm over it, it's fine. I've pulled too many bad jokes to be taken seriously over something like that."
Remus opened his mouth only to close it. Swallowing, he squeezed Sirius's hand as he offered him a weak smile.
"Not the point, Siri. I should have trusted you to be better. You have been better."
Sirius felt guilt and warmth flood his chest at that. Smiling, the time traveler tucked his hair behind his ear.
"Okay, I'll forgive you on one condition, do you think you could do something for me?"
"Anything," Remus answered immediately, which, if Sirius was still an immature 20 year old, would have been a mistake.
"Could you drop by my place and get rid of the old stuff in my fridge?" Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "Usually I wouldn't worry, but that will be a pain to deal with without magic, y know?"
Remus blinked at him, as if he too were surprised Sirius wasn't asking him to do some silly hex on himself, before nodding profusely.
"Absolutely, I'll even pack you an extra bag and drop it off."
Hugging Remus, Sirius watched as the werewolf hopped off the porch and walked a few feet before disapparating.
Sirius laid in bed, the words from the night before spiraling around like soup in his brain.
He knew what everyone subtly expected would be next for him, it was obvious, but Sirius knew hunkering down with Lily and James until the war ended wasn't practical.
Pettigrew would continue to sniff around, and Sirius couldn't risk it. He needed to find a way to eliminate the threat permanently.
Sirius needed some basic freedom to do that. Space and resources to find a way to kill wizards without magic.
Heeey I've gotten back to writing. Already have the next chapter done so hope you guys are excited for that!
What is Sirius planning? how will he kill Pettigrew? will he find out how Remus feels? fine out later on!
Lemme know what you think :D hope you enjoyed!