Chapter NINE

Birthdays and Letters, Oh My!

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The next few months seemed to fly by for the two occupants of The Potter estates.

As promised Sirius had taken Harrison on a small holiday a few days after the Horcrux removal; making sure to let him rest up at home for a couple days first. Deciding they both needed something a little different, Sirius chose one of the Black properties he knew had not be frequently used by his family. The last Black to spend any significant time there had been his Uncle Alfred more than fifteen years prior. His own parents thankfully had never stepped foot inside the small manor, so Sirius knew that it would be free of any negative memories, and one of the only properties he owned that wasn't littered with dark objects. Just to be sure however, he had it checked while Harrison was recovering from the Ritual, before packing up, and flooing over for the first time.

They had spent almost three incredible weeks hold up on the property. Relaxing mostly. Sirius made sure to take Harrison to the closest wizarding district a few times while they were there, and even made sure they attended a quidditch game ore two for good measure. Making sure that Harrison had no chance to do anything by enjoy his break. Never allowing any stress or unrest to enter the house for the entirety of their visit.

When the holiday came to an end, and the two black haired wizards returned to their home once more. It was back to their daily routines, of schoolwork, and Head of house business, with a splash of fun, and family bonding mixed in between.

Harrison while studious, and a lover of reading and learning new and wonderful things, found that he loved the freedom that came with flying just as much as he did discovering new things inside his books, spent as much time as he could outside on the pitch flying on his broom. Refusing to even let the cold that had blown in with the winter season prevent him from spending at least a couple hours every day up in the air, gliding high up in the air, his toes brushing the tops of the tree surrounding the pitch.

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While Harrison spent his days, being a typical 10-year-old for once, Sirius continued to keep in contact with their lawyer, giving Cadmus plenty of work as he finalized the paperwork for the case against the Dursley's for accepting the money meant to take care of Harrison and never spending a dime on him, as well his years of abuse and neglect. Needless to say, Vernon had lost his job, as the scandal hit the muggle papers, and He and his wife were being investigated by Child Services, on top of having to pay back every Pound they received from the Potter accounts. While they weren't locked away in prison as would have been preferred, they were forced to sell their house and move in with Vernon's sister Marge, just to pay back what was owed.

Sirius was also in constant contact with the Potter account manager, after it was noted that a few items had been removed from the vaults, -one being a certain Cloak of Invisibility that once belonged to James. There was currently an investigation into exactly when the items had been removed, and they were confident it would be rectified quickly. While the items had all be returned and a fine paid. The Goblins were using the investigation into his dealings with the account for their own case against for breaking their laws involving Wizarding Heir and Lordships. Needless to say, Dumbledore was looking at answering a lot of question in the not-so-distant future.

And maybe one of the most important things of all; Sirius was diligent in attending all of his sessions with Healer Thomas, still going twice a week until winter turned into spring, where his appointments dwindled down to just once a month.

Thanks to the potions he was on and talking things through with his Healer, Sirius was beginning to finally feel like a version of his old self, and more days than not were spent with him laughing and smiling, and nights were spent in a restful sleep, his nightmares coming less and less as he dealt with the trauma that had been most of his life.

So, it was happily noted that over the past few months, a lot of memories were made inside the house as well. One in particular was a favorite of both Man and child. It was the celebration of their first Yule, not only together as a family, but in Harrison's case, first celebration ever as he was to young to participate when his parents had last been alive and Sirius' since before, he was imprisoned.

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Memory

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On the morning of December 25th Harrison was startled awake by a sudden weight landing along his abdomen. Opening his eyes wearily to see what was going on, he suddenly sat up and grinned at the appearance of a certain shaggy black dog draped across his lap.

"Good morning Siri," he greeted laughing and hugging the dog to his chest.

Pulling back and changing back to a man, Sirius smiled as he pulled his pup back into a real hug, wishing a happy yule into his ear.

"Come on, get up and come downstairs when you are ready, I think there might be a few gifts for you in the sitting room," Sirius told him before he got up and headed downstairs to grab his usual morning tea and request an extra special breakfast be ready in an hour or so.

He had just arrived in the room, when there was a pecking on the window closest to him, so he opened it to let the owl in and removed two shrunken parcels from its legs, and watching it fly back out again almost immediately.

Curious, Sirius unshrunk the parcels, and after running scans to make sure they weren't tampered with or any harmful spells had been placed, he picked them up and saw they were addressed; one to himself and the other Harrison. He set Harrisons aside when he recognized Moony's handwriting, deciding to give it to him after he had opened his other gifts, knowing that the boy was still refusing to meet the werewolf; Deciding to keep him at arm's length for a little while longer.

Sirius sat down in his usual chair by the fire, smiling when he heard pounding feet running down the stairs, and his godson came skidding to a stop on sock clad feet in the doorway, his eyes going wide as he took in the room and the gifts piled in the corner waiting for him.

"Those are for me?" He gasped shocked, seeing the small mountain of gifts. There were two piles in the room, the one closest to his godfather was clearly for him, and other one could be for nobody else but Harrison himself.

"Of course, pup, come on sit down and open them up!" Sirius told him, just as excited as the child. He relished that he was going to get to experience Yule through his boy's eyes and was content knowing that he was able to do all this for him.

As soon as the words were barely out of his godfathers' mouth Harrison leapt towards his pile and began ripping into the wrapping in his excitement, gasping happily as each of his gifts were revealed.

For the first gifts that he could ever remember getting, Harrison was pleased with the books, broomstick servicing kit, chess set, muggle and wizarding boardgames and more that he received. He was curious at some of the names on the cards that were attached- not expecting to receive a gift even if had sent them one himself. He had heard of them of course; The Tonks were his godfather's cousins, and while he hadn't met them in person yet, letters had been exchanged between them and Sirius and they always asked after him. He had sent his hellos in the letters Sirius would send off as well and was looking forward to meeting them sometime in the new year when they returned from their holiday abroad.

Another gift weas from his godbrother Neville who he had decided to finally write a letter two a few weeks prior, and the two of them had been exchanging weekly letters ever since. Though they had yet to meet in person, Neville's Grandmother was apparently very protective of him, and limited his contact outside their home. Sirius had made contact with Dowager Longbottom, and the two would hopefully be able to come to an agreement soon, so the boys can finally meet.

Most of the gifts were of course from his godfather, who loved to spoil him -though nowhere near how spoiled his cousin Dudley was by his parents thankfully- and Harrison cherished them all.

When Harrison was going back over his new books and games, trying to decide which one he wanted to take a closer look at first, he heard a throat clear to his left and looked over at his godfather who was sat with his own pile of open gifts on the floor beside him, holding a vial in his hand, and watching him nervously.

"Come here for a second pup, there is something I want to ask you," the man said as he motioned him to come closer.

Curiously, Harrison approached him and stood before his godfather and waited to see what he wanted to ask.

"You know, how much I love you right pup? Have since the day you were born. I know that I can never replace your mom and dad. In fact I wouldn't ever dream of even trying. But I was wondering, what you thought about me Blood adopting you?" Sirius asked him quietly.

"What…what does it mean to blood adopt? Is it the same as normal adoption? I read about that in a book in the library once when I was still living with the Dursley's" he stated in a whisper, biting his lip nervously.

"Blood adoption requires a potion, and a little bit of my blood added to it. You would take the potion – preferably before bed as it can be a little painful and its best if your asleep for it- and you would become my son, in blood and magic. It doesn't replace your mom or dad, but I would be more like a third parent. So, you would have a mom and two dads. If you wanted."

"You want me? You would really make me your son? Not just your ward or godson?" Harrison asked with tears filling his eyes.

"I want you, more than anything in the world pup." Sirius said, as he pulled him into his arms and hugged him tightly. "I have loved you as if you were my own, since the very beginning Harrison."

Sirius tightened his hug, as he felt his pup break down in his arms for what felt like the dozenth time over the last couple months. He knew after living so long feeling like a burden, or unwanted by his relatives, Harrison would need reassurances for a long time yet and anytime it was confirmed by his godfather how much he was wanted and loved, he became overwhelmed and couldn't hold in his emotions any longer; thus, breaking down in the man's arms.

"Yes, I want you to adopt me please," Harrison stuttered out through his tears, hardly believing it was happening.

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The rest of the day went by relatively quickly for the soon to be father and son. Sirius had given Harrison Remus' gift after they pulled apart and his pup had calmed down again, which the boy opened quietly and inspected the Album filled with photos of his parents when they were in school, and of their wedding that he found within. He had set it aside when they were called for breakfast, where he ate quietly lost in thought. Sirius had a feeling, that while Remus still had a lot to answer too, and make up for, he was at least headed in the right direction.

They played some of Harrison new boardgames after breakfast and headed out to go flying for a bit in the afternoon. And as dinner approached, Harrison stood and watched as Sirius lit the yule log in the kitchen fire, before they both grabbed some of their Goat dinner, tossing it into the fire in an offering to the spirits of family passed in remembrance, but with hopes for the new year.

Harrison was sure to whisper his love for his parents as he dropped in his portion before they went back to the table and ate their meal, happily talking about their day, and plans they wanted to make for the new year.

While they didn't attend any Balls over the Yule season this year, as Sirius had decided to make this holiday season just for the two of them, He made a mental note, to begin his lessons in etiquette and dance in January in preparation for the following year. As Harrison soon to be father, and Lord of the house, Sirius was going to be taking his duties to prep his new son, on everything he would need when he took on his headship at fifteen.

Later that night, as they were getting ready to retire for the evening, Sirius made sure to tuck Harrison as was normal, telling him a story of his first yule at Potter Manor with his dad and grandparents, before he watched him down the Adoption potion and close his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

"Goodnight son," Sirius said as he quietly left and headed to his own room, ready for sleep himself after a long and exciting day.

It was only a few hours later as the morning sun was just rising, they both awoke and greeted each other and getting to see the new Harrison for the first time. They were happy to notice, only slight differences in Harrison appearance. While he had already taken after the Black side of his family before -more so than the Potters, his hair thinned out a bit -becoming more like Sirius own-, losing the Potter thickness, his Jaw had sharpened a bit more and he had grown an extra inch in height making it clear that once his body had healed from his potion regiment, and his growth spurt hit, he would be on the taller side like Sirius himself was. James had been tall in his own right of course, but Sirius had always been just that little bit taller than his old friend.

He did, however, keep his mother's eyes, and his fathers' nose and ears. Needless to say, Harrison seemed to be a perfect combination of all this parents.

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Memory End

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As winter turned into spring, then finally summer was upon them; Harrison was busy finishing off any exams. He was happy to finally be finished up his school and had the entire summer holidays free to do as he pleased.

Sirius -he was still not brave enough to call him his dad yet, - had promised to take him on holiday, and he would get to attend his first ever Quidditch World Cup.

As well, this was an important summer in every young witch and Wizards life. Because those who turn 11 before the end of the summer would be receiving their acceptance letter to one of the Magical schools around the World.

Harrison couldn't wait to walk the halls of the school his parents -all three of them- had spent seven years exploring.

While he wasn't looking forward to the Headmaster possibly trying something while he was there. Sirius had warned him that the man might try and meddle into there lives once he started school. He was excited to meet new people, maybe make a couple friends as close and cherished as his dads and their friends had been, as well as see what new things he could learn. He had taken some lessons, on theory over the past couple months, and was taught the basics for Potion making, so he understood, why some ingredients needed crushing, and others cut. Or why you could mix certain ingredients together and not others, but he hadn't learned much else as Sirius hadn't wanted him to get to far ahead in fear he would become bored once he was finally there to attend classes with his peers.

He really hoped he wouldn't become as bored with his Magical education as he was with his muggle one. It had turned out that seventh grade was still too easy for him and starting in September he would be skipping another grade and continuing his studies via owl post.

At least if he found the work at Hogwarts too easy, he would be kept busy juggling two different curriculums.

Harrison had read in one of his Grandfathers old Journals about a company his family owned, that for the past fifteen years since he had passed, had gone almost dormant. Only supplying funding for the small businesses around Europe, it had invested in in the past, and making money on when and only if they were doing well.

Determined to get it up and running again, and maybe one day expanding it into so much more, He was adamant that he would stick with his Muggle schooling, and one day head onto University so they could branch out into the muggle world too. There was so much potential that he saw, for what the company could one day become.

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For three weeks in the month of July Sirius had taken his son on sort of road trip – or Floo trip would be more accurate- around Europe staying at all the different Properties they collectively owned, exploring the culture, trying all the different food they could get their hands on, and when they were near one playing on the beach.

The week of Harrison Birthday, Remus met them – with Harrisons reluctant permission. He was trying to give the man a chance, though it was slow going- While they were staying in Italy, and attended the third game of the World cup, 'Italy vs Ireland'.

Harrison had never seen something so incredible and fast paced in his life! While he had attended other professional Quidditch games over the last year. The world Cup was an entirely different experience.

He had kept his eyes glued to the pitch the entire time, almost instantly locking onto the small golden snitch, and following it the entire game, until it was finally caught by the Italian seeker. It was Absolutely brilliant, and he couldn't wait for the next World Cup in three years.

He was hooked from the moment he had seen his first game. But this has solidified it for him; He knew as soon as he was allowed, he wanted to play on his house team.

It was an excited child, that chattered away into his dads ear all the way back home after the game, where a cake and gifts awaited to the now 11-year-old boy.

Rushing up to the man and throwing his arms around him, Harrison muttered into the chest he hid his face into, "Thank you for the best birthday I've ever had Dad!"

"You are more than welcome son, I love you!" Sirius replied tears in his eyes. Fore his son had finally called him 'Dad.'

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Two days after Harrisons 11th birthday a thick letter, was dropped off with the morning mail.

On the very front in green ink was written:

Harrison J Potter-Black

Heirs Suite,

Potter Estates, England.

His Hogwarts letter had finally arrived!