Bringing this one back from the dead as well- And it's a bit of a high emotion chapter because why not? Enjoy!


Claire sat still in the kitchen, cup of hot lemon sugar water sitting on the table before her. She'd been watching the steam waft off of the cup and disappear into the cool kitchen air, unblinking. Her mind was racing a million miles an hour, and yet it was as if she could not do anything to catch up with what she was facing, what her life had become. Her sister-in-law sat on the other side of the table from her, and she tilted her head, concerned. "Claire?"

"I can't do this, Lily." She said quietly.

"Just sip it, it really will help." The redhead replied. Claire shook her head.

"No, not the water. THIS!" She gestured around her head, then landed her hand on her lower abdomen. "I respect the hell out of you and James deciding to have little Harry. And for how brave you both are to keep on fighting. But I cannot-" She choked up a little, and took a deep breath. "Sirius and Remus are just now sort of back where their friendship had been before, well, me." A tear streaked down her face, leaving a light black trail where it took mascara with it.

"You think neither of them saw this possibility coming?" Lily replied gently. Claire shrugged. She picked the cup up and swirled it a bit before taking a small sip.

"It's just another reminder how I ruined their lives." She said, closing her eyes for a moment. Lily watched a few more tears track down the younger witch's face.

"And here I thought we'd gotten past that..." Lily sighed. Claire's head snapped up, almost making Lily jump.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" She spat, "I forgot how annoying it must be for you! With your husband who loves you and chose you! With your son who exists on purpose and isn't the product of some horrible scam!" She started to stand up, but Lily was quicker, around the table, her arms around the brunette, who sobbed into her shoulder.

"Oh, Claire." She soothed, stroking her back in small circles. "Sirius does love you." Claire pulled away and looked at Lily, her face twisted in disbelief.

"No, Lily, he doesn't. Not like you mean. And while I have always loved him, I don't- I'm not... We aren't IN love. When you're stuck together, like we are, you just sort of- Have the need for the contact. To feel someone else and to not feel so alone. We care about each other. But-" She took a shaky breath and wiped her streaked face on her sleeve. "We make things work, but Sirius has already given up a lot for me. Yet so far he maintained the ability to stay out, ride his bike about, be generally reckless... I don't think adding a baby will help things at all."

"He could be happy about it. He adores Harry! And you know, many of the best couples start out as friends. You could easily fall in love..." Lily suggested to her. Again, Claire gave her a very clear 'Are you serious right now?' look, eyebrow raised.

"Harry, who he can pump full of sugar and send home. He has no real responsibility to Harry. And I don't think Sirius is the 'fall in love' type" She sniffed, wrapping her arms around herself.

"He also ask you to stop the potions." Lily reminded her.

"At Walburga's insistence." She replied just as quickly. Lily moved her chair from across the table to be right beside Claire. She took both Claire's hands in her own.

"Claire. You know James and I love you so much, and you can hide here absolutely as long as you want to. But you have already been avoiding this for three weeks. Nine weeks is pretty far long to keep hiding. The sickness is obviously picking up. I really think it would be the best idea you could have if you went home, had a bath and nap, got up and made yourself up. Get a nice take out meal. Tell Sirius you're pregnant."

"YOU'RE WHAT?" James voice came from the living room. Claire closed her eyes and groaned, and Lily covered her mouth.

"Hey, James, er-" She stammered. "Surprise?" Her brother came on into the kitchen, tossing his keeps on the counter. He pulled his younger sibling into a tight, awkward and unreturned hug.

"That's so wonderful!" He gushed. Claire stayed stiff, even as he released her.

"Thank you." She said, large, fake smile painted across her face. "I was just about to go have a rest while I decide how to tell him."

"Brilliant!" He kissed her cheek and made his way over to the bassinet in the corner. He peeked in at the small boy who was bundled up sleeping inside. "They'll be as close as siblings!"

"Or hate each other..." Claire grumbled.

"You love me!" James called as she made her way for the door, rolling her eyes. She knew deep down, Lily was right. She had to face her reality, and there wasn't much time left for her to hide.


Her plans for a relaxing afternoon, however, were ruined as soon as Claire opened the front door. She walked the few feet it took to get into her home before she noticed that there was a blanket clad sleeping form on the couch. A hand hung out from under the blanket, knuckles just touching the carpet below. She stopped dead in her tracks, slamming the door behind her, causing her unannounced guest to jump to attention, wand drawn. Remus' bewildered, bloodshot eyes looked her over, then he dropped his wand to his side.

"Claire." His voice was raspy.

"Why are you here?" She replied, walking on into the living room, hanging her bag on the hook on the wall. She paused and crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back against the wall. She watched him sink back onto the couch, noting how thin he'd gotten. He looked as if he hadn't eaten or slept in a few days.

"Sirius suggested I could maybe borrow the couch for a few days." He said quietly. "Unless it makes you uncomfortable."

"No. Not at all." She smiled, her tongue pinched behind the grin. "Did something happen?"

"Ah, you know, same old song. Evicted, fired..." He scratched awkwardly at the back of his neck.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Go ahead and try to rest" She pushed off from the wall and moved to walk past him and down the hall to her bedroom. He held an arm out and in her way. "Why do people keep doing that to me today?" She huffed, stepping several feet back and looking at the werewolf expectantly. She hated having to look at him at all. He looked so sick, so tired. She felt the weight forming in the pit of her stomach, but she strengthened her face and waited.

"Congrats." He rasped. Claire backed all the way up against the wall.

"How-"

"Smell." He tapped his nose and looked at the floor. "You'll be a wonderful mother."

Claire did not reply. She stood there, staring at her ex-lover, who stared at the floor. Her breaths were shaky and quick, and she felt dizzy. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally stood back up. "Remus-" She moved forward a bit then stopped again. He didn't look up at her. "Remus, I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to apologize for." He replied, his voice so soft she thought she may have imagined him speaking. "I'll try not to have to stay here any longer than a few days." He finally looked up and she saw he'd had tears build up in his eyes.

"Get some rest, Rem. Stay as long as you need to." She said, moving on her way on back to the bedroom and shut the door. She laid herself back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling for a moment before grabbing a pillow and pressing it into her face, releasing the scream she'd been holding in. She then flung the pillow against the wall and rolled over, closing her eyes and hoping she might eventually fall asleep.


Claire realized she must have eventually drifted off, as she woke up to Sirius gently scooting her up toward the head of the bed. "Sorry!" He laughed. "I was going to try and not wake you. Lily said you weren't feeling well."

"It's fine-" She squinted over to the clock on the night stand. "I've slept all day." She rubbed her face.

"Are you okay?" Sirius ask, sitting on the edge of the bed, tugging his boots off and tossing them over to the dresser side.

"I- I think so." She replied.

"Are you okay with Moony crashing for a bit?" He ask, watching her carefully.

"Why would I have a problem?" She ask sitting up. She waited for him to turn around.

"I don't feel like I actually need to answer that." He retorted.

"Sounds like you have one." She bit back. Sirius whirled around and he had to push his long dark locks from his eyes.

"I do not. That man is as good as my brother and he needs my help." He said defensively. Claire looked at him, almost humored at how harsh he was.

"Then act like it." She said, sitting forward. He stared at her, his grey eyes burning her face. She snorted. She watched her husband as he stood up and shrugged off his dress shirt, and dug in the drawer for a tshirt to throw on.

"I'm just mostly wondering if this going to be weird for you. In any form. If it makes you uncomfortable, or?" Sirius said finally, launching himself up onto the bed and landing to hard beside her that she bounced a bit. She felt herself grow nauseated again and she gripped at the bedding.

"Please, don't do that." She groaned. He stopped, dropping the humor from his face. He took her face in his hand and gently turned her toward him, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Claire?" He questioned.

"Sirius- I-" She swallowed and let out a small breathy laugh. "I'm pregnant."

She watched his face as he processed what she'd just said to him. At first, his eyes widened, and the color faded from his face. There was a clear fear that flashed in his eyes. He gaped for a moment, then closed his mouth. Then he smiled. And before she knew what had happened, her face was in his hands, his mouth claiming hers. Relief flooded her entire body and she relaxed into his touch and returned the kiss.

"Oh Merlin, Claire..." He sighed, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. "Are you sure? I mean..."

"Yeah, pretty sure. Nine weeks." She nodded, and couldn't help but smile when he did.

"Woah." He breathed. He held a hand out, but hesitated. "Can I just-" He questioned. She grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on her abdomen.

"It's gonna be a while before we can feel anything but- Yeah." She laughed as he laid her back and laid his head on her stomach. He moved his ear around, then sighed and laid still. "Guess it'll be awhile before you can hear either." She ran her fingers through his soft black hair. The two laid in silence for a while, Sirius wrapped around her, Claire playing in his hair. After a while he looked up at her.

"Are you two hungry?" Sirius ask. He looked so amused at the question.

"Maybe a little." She confirmed. "What did you have in mind?"

"Get dressed. Let's go somewhere nice to celebrate!" He suggested. "Then maybe drop by and tell your brother and Lily?" Claire pulled her lips back into her mouth and looked up.

"Oops." She said. Sirius quirked an eyebrow.

"They already know?" He guessed, then laughed.

"Sorry!" She insisted. Sirius laughed again and kissed her cheek.

"Don't be sorry! Let's just get dressed." He said, rolling himself off the foot of the bed backward and landing on his feet. Claire left out another long sigh of relief and stood up to follow suit to the wardrobe. She worried about what repercussions might come from her heightened emotional state, having Remus in her home. She shook her head and decided to focus completely on her husband and their child.


Sorry I was MIA for a while. You know how writer's block is. I hope everyone enjoyed the newest chapter. There are only two more until it flashes to the future... Anyway!
Thank you so much for reading! Review?