The Bonds That Tie

by P.A.R

After Harry is delivered to the Dursley's, Sirius decides the child is better off with him and steals his godson back, never thinking how he's going to take care of an infant.

13. Chapter Eleven A Long Talk In The Night

A/N: HAPPY EASTER, guys!

A longer chapter.

Also, we need to have another talk.

O.K., everybody gather round, because today P.A.R. is going to teach you a new phrase. The phrase is 'Continuity Error'.

What does that mean? Well, it means P.A.R. put in the last chapter Hagrid calling Remus 'professor' when this story is set in the past and, therefore, before Remus was a professor at Hogwarts to our knowledge.

THEREFORE, this week gold stars are going out to all those of you who caught that and mentioned it. So, Peacockgirl, Nicky, Karla, and Black Sparkles, (*,*,*,*), enjoy those gold stars!

On with the story.

Enjoy.

Chapter Eleven: A Long Talk In The Night

The next several days at Hogwarts were anything but smooth.

Dumbledore managed to way-lay the ministry searching the school, stating at first that with the students returning it would be too disruptive. By the time they were finally admitted, with all the spells in place around Sirius and the others, a hundred fully equipped Aurors would have had a tough time locating any one of them.

For Remus, he suddenly found himself a full time parent to Harry, who was getting more irritable by the day that he wasn't with Sirius.

Remus did his best to allow Harry time with Sirius. But that wasn't the problem. Nor was it any restrictions placed on Sirius by Madam Pomfrey or Dr. Richards.

The problem.....was Sirius.

Remus did his level best to let Harry see his godfather whenever he could. But every time Remus would take Harry to see him, Sirius all but ignored his godson. If Harry insisted on playing, Sirius complained of being tired and had Remus take him away. He refused any offer Remus made to let him feed Harry, or spend any time alone with him at all. From Remus' point of view, Sirius was simply shutting his godson out of his life.

But it wasn't just Harry Sirius seemed to have lost interest in. It was life in general. Remus was constantly getting complaints from Madam Pomfrey and reports from Aaron that Sirius was refusing to cooperate with his treatment. Now that he was at Hogwarts and under constant medical attention, his recovery should have been assured. But Sirius was being anything but the ideal patient.

And so it was that Remus found himself prodded by Aaron to see if he could find out why Sirius had suddenly decided to, for all intents and purposes, give up.

Sirius was laying in his bed in the infirmary when Remus arrived, as he had been since they arrived at Hogwarts. According to Madam Pomfrey and Aaron, he rarely left it and spent the majority of his time either sleeping or staring at the ceiling.

"So, Sirius," Remus began as he pulled a chair up next to Sirius' bed, "how are you this morning?"

Sirius turned just enough to look over at Remus, then turned back to the ceiling. "Where's Harry?"

"He's on his way to Voldemort. Sent him there myself this morning."

Sirius sighed quietly as he closed his eyes. "That isn't funny, Remus." He stated firmly.

"Well, I wasn't sure you even cared anymore. You've hardly given the poor child a second look the past few days."

Sirius didn't give any answer, but went back to silently staring at the ceiling.

Remus sighed to himself. This was living up to all his expectations of how much fun it would be.

"Sirius, Madam Pomfrey and Aaron asked me to come talk to you."

"I'm tired, Remus. Can't this wait?"

Remus felt his temper start to rise already. That was Sirius' standard answer when he didn't want to do something since they had arrived at the castle. 'He was tired'.

"You know, Sirius." Remus stated in a level tone. "I'm getting very weary of hearing this from you. 'I'm need to sleep. I need my rest. I need quiet.' All I've heard for days is what you need. And I think it's long past time that we talk about someone else's needs for a while. Mainly, your godson."

Sirius sighed again and turned his head to the side.

"You're not shutting me out, Sirius." Remus stated firmly. "You can lay there and pretend that you are. But you are going to listen to me."

Sirius turned back to him. "Fine." He stated just as resolutely. "Talk. Keep me up half the day for all I care. What is it to you if I don't get my rest?"

Remus looked stunned. "Don't even start this with me!" Remus replied. "From what I've heard from Madam Pomfrey and Aaron, you have hardly been the model patient. According to them you haven't even been trying to get better. If anything, you've been fighting them every inch of the way."

"I've been doing what they say, Remus." Sirius answered, turning back to the ceiling again.

"Right." Remus said. "That's why I get nothing but complaints from both of them about your behavior and your attitude. They say you aren't trying, Sirius. That you act like.....like you don't want to get better." Remus' voice softened suddenly. "They say you act like a man who wants to die, Sirius."

Sirius closed his eyes, saying nothing in reply and confirming Remus' worst suspicions about his friend's actions.

"Sirius, why are you doing this?" Remus asked quietly. "Tell me that much."

Remus almost didn't expect a reply. But Sirius slowly opened his eyes again as he continued to stare at the ceiling with a blank, expressionless stare. "Doesn't matter, Remus." He replied softly.

"What do you mean? What doesn't matter?"

"They all think I killed James and Lily."

The statement shocked Remus. "They?" He asked. "Who's 'they', Sirius?"

"Everyone." Sirius replied in a tired voice. "I listened to them at the ministry. They questioned me. Asked me what I knew about what happened to the Dursley's house. If I had done it. Why had I done it? And then...then they started asking me questions about James and Lily. Was I their secret keeper? Was I Deatheater? Did I serve Voldemort? How long had I been a Deatheater. Did I know other Deatheaters? Was I willing to help the ministry convict other Deatheaters. In less than five minutes I went from a suspected Deatheater, to a fully accredited one. Which was a good thing, mind you, because my attention span wasn't that great right then." He added quickly. Sirius took a deep breath as he closed his eyes. "Then they started again about James and Lily. Why did I betray my best friend? Why hadn't Voldemort killed Harry? Where was he now?

They were absolutely certain I had been the one responsible for James and Lily's deaths.

And others have heard it too. And now everyone thinks I'm some murderer who betrayed his friends to the dark lord. All of them. Even Dumbledore." Sirius turned his head to look at Remus. "Even you." He said softly.

Remus looked shocked. "Sirius, I do not think you had anything to do with what happened to James and Lily. Nor does Dumbledore. Would he have let me bring you here if he did? He'd have left you on the doorstep with 'Good Riddance' tattooed on your forehead."

"Wouldn't be right for Harry." Sirius replied in the same soft voice.

"What wouldn't be?"

Sirius took a breath. "Being raised.....by the man everyone thinks killed his parents. He'd....he'd hear stories.....and he'd wonder."

"And he wouldn't care, Sirius. He would know they were lies."

Sirius shook his head. "He's better off, Remus. He has everything he needs now. I've made sure of that. He has a home. Someone to take care of him. Someone who'll love him as much as I would have."

"Someone?" Remus asked in a puzzled tone. "You can't mean me."

"I know you'll take good care of him, Remus. I know you'll raise him right. And he'll be happy with you."

Remus suddenly got to his feet and stood over Sirius' bed, leaning over his friend with a hand on either side of him and a stern look on his face.

"Now you listen to me, Padfoot!" Remus stated firmly. "It isn't just you anymore. You understand that? You aren't making decisions just for Sirius anymore. You have a re-spon-si-bi-li-ty now. Understand! And it goes by the name of 'Harry'. You took responsibility for that child the day you took him from Godric's Hollow. You are now his guardian, Sirius. Just as James and Lily wanted you to be. So, I am very sorry if that interferes with your plans to lay down and die right now. Because I'm afraid you're going to have to put those off for about the next seventeen years. You have a child now, like it or not, who depends on you. You are not just going to ignore that."

Remus pulled back, raking his hands through his brownish-blond hair as he walked about the small room.

"I can't believe you were even thinking this." He started again. "You're treating that child like he is some....possession you just don't want anymore. Something to discard because you're bored with it."

The statement seemed to raise some of Sirius ire as he pulled up slightly in the bed. "That's not true, Remus!" He stated, collapsing back onto the bed in exhaustion. "I.....I'm taking care of Harry. I'm doing what I promised James I would. Take care of his son. And Harry will be fine with you."

"With one small exception." Remus replied, storming back over to the bed. "He doesn't want me, Padfoot. He wants you!"

"He's a baby, Remus." Sirius replied in a now calmer voice. "Give him time and he'll forget me."

"That's what you told me in the ministry jail. Remember?" Remus replied, now also in a calmer tone. "And did he, Sirius? He went crazy when he saw you again."

"One day."

"I don't care if it's a hundred. That child wants you. Not some substitute. He loves you."

"And not everything you want is good for you, Remus. I'll just make a mess out of his life if I try to raise him. Harry needs a stable home."

"Why can't he have that with you?"

"Where have you been, Remus?" Sirius asked in an irritated voice. "I'm wanted by the ministry for the murder of his parents."

"For questioning, Sirius! You haven't been convicted of anything."

"People aren't interested in the truth when the rumors are better, Moony. You know that. What's more interesting? That a bunch of Deatheaters killed another man and woman, or a young couple were betrayed by their best friend?"

"Then you'll just have to convince them otherwise."

Sirius suddenly got a strange look on his face. "You believe me, don't you, Moony?"

"What?"

"You believe me. I mean, really believe me. That I didn't have anything to do with James and Lily's murders."

"Sirius, of course I believe you. But I'm not the problem right now. And I'm not going to lie to you about it either. Convincing the rest of the world isn't going to be so easy. The rest of the world isn't your best friend."

"Are you saying that's the only reason you believe me?"

Remus paused for a moment. "I'm saying it helps." He replied finally. "Because I know you. And I know you're no murderer."

Sirius sighed as he turned back to the ceiling. "And that's just what Harry will hear his whole life, Remus. His godfather is a murderer."

"Well, he won't be hearing it from the people that matter to him."

Sirius suddenly began coughing. A spell that lasted a good minute or more. Remus was just about to call Madam Pomfrey when it stopped as abruptly as it had started, leaving Sirius wheezing and gasping for breath.

Remus stared at his friend with a worried expression.

"Sirius...."

Sirius put a hand up. "Remus, I'm really very tired. Can we please not talk about this anymore?"

Remus sighed quietly. He supposed he had given Sirius enough to think about for one day.

"All right. I'll let you get some rest. But know that we aren't done with this, Sirius. I'm not letting you give up."

Sirius watched as Remus left the infirmary. Why couldn't he just accept this? It would make it so much easier. And why was he so adamant to fight it? He was getting Harry in the bargain. What more could anyone want than to have a child like him?

Sirius sighed to himself as he rolled over in the bed. The coughing fit had left him exhausted, as they always did. Shortly Madam Pomfrey would be by with another of her potions, trying to convince him to take it. Another day, maybe two, perhaps even that night, and it wouldn't matter anymore. Then they would have no choice but to accept his decision. And Harry would have everything he needed to have a long happy life without a godfather that would do nothing but mess it up for him.

James and Lily had made a poor choice. There was no doubt of that. And it was up to him to set things right.

Sirius woke up to someone softly calling his name. He tried to focus on the sound, but it wasn't easy. A thick haze seemed to have settled on his brain from both the illness and the lack of sleep. He hadn't been able to get any rest at all that day as Remus' accusations kept chasing around in his head. He had thought about asking Madam Pomfrey for a potion to help him get to sleep, but had finally decided against it. If this turned out to be his last night on this earth, he didn't want to spend it in some potion-induced sleep. But finally, long after the castle had settled down for the night, Sirius had managed to drift off for what he hoped would be a few hours at least. But now someone else was there to interrupt his few peaceful hours in oblivion.

"Come on, Sirius." The voice prodded. "I haven't got all night. And we need to have a talk."

Sirius slowly opened his eyes slightly, only to be greeted by a very foggy figure leaning next to him by the bed. Sirius blinked his eyes several times to try and bring the shape better into focus. But nothing seemed to help.

"Wh....who are you?" Sirius finally asked.

The figure sighed in annoyance. "I told them not to do this. That the whole fuzzy, ethereal figure thing just doesn't work. But nobody listens to me. O.K., hold on." The figure stated, pulling back a bit. "I can fix this myself."

Sirius watched as the image slowly began to come into sharper view. But he quickly decided he far preferred the original, since as the figure began clearer, so did the disappointment on its face.

Sirius stared wide-eyed at the figure now leaning next to his bed.

"J.......James?"

"Good you remember me, Sirius."

Sirius scooted back a bit in the bed. "B...but........but you're...." Sirius quickly buried his face in his pillow. "You're not real." He stated firmly, though it was muffled against the pillow.

"I'm sure you'd like to think that, Sirius." James replied in a slightly harsh tone. "But you can't deny me. I'm standing right here."

Sirius rolled back over in the bed and turned to face James. "I'm ill." He stated decisively at the figure. "That's all you are. A delusion brought on by the illness."

James snorted. "Right. Of all the things your fever-racked brain could have conjured up, it chose me? The person you'd least like to see?"

Sirius squinted his eyes to focus better on his friend. "Least?" He asked.

"That would be my bet, Sirius, seeing as you're doing everything in your power to break your promise to me."

"Promise?"

"Harry, Padfoot. You remember my son, don't you? You promised me you'd look after him. Now what's going on?"

Sirius slowly shook his head. "I'm not breaking my promise to you, James. I'm taking care of him."

"By handing him off like a muggle football to the first person you think you can? Great job, Padfoot."

"I'm doing what's right." Sirius protested.

"You're doing what's easy." James shot back at him.

"No."

"Yes! If I had wanted someone else to raise my son, I wouldn't have made you Godfather, Padfoot. But I chose you. For a reason!" James stood back up with his arms folded across his chest. "I never thought, not even once, that you didn't love him enough to want him, Sirius."

"No, P...Prongs, I do love him. Bu....but I can't raise him."

"Why not?"

Tears quickly came to Sirius' eyes. "I tried, James. You must have seen. Bu....but I failed......miserably. Surely you saw?"

"What I saw, Padfoot," James replied, "was all the reasons coming to light that I did choose you. Every one of them being justified. I saw how hard you tried. How much you cared. How much you sacrificed. All to keep my son safe."

"I did try, Prongs. I tried very hard."

James expression softened slightly as he crouched down next to the bed, caressing a hand over his friend's fever dampened hair. "And you did so very well, Padfoot. Why are you giving up now?"

Sirius smiled sadly at his friend. "Because I can't anymore, Prongs. I'm sick. They.....they say I'm going to die."

If Sirius had expected the announcement to elicit sympathy from James, he couldn't have been more wrong.

"You say you're going to die, Padfoot." James stated sharply. "You simply have your mind made up already. You've just given up, that's what you've done. Just like Moony said."

Sirius stared back at James past his tears.

James softened his tone again as he leaned closer to Sirius. "Padfoot, I know you're tired. And I know how easy giving in would be right now. But my son needs you. Please. Don't give up yet."

Sirius stared at James for a moment, then suddenly rolled over in the bed away from him. "I don't even know why I'm talking to you." He stated. "You're not even real."

"Back to that, are we?" James asked. "Sirius, I am real."

Sirius turned back over to face him. His expression completely neutral.

"James, you're dead. So you can't be real."

James expression was just as neutral. "And sometimes, Sirius, the rules get broken because the situation demands it. Come on! You're familiar enough with breaking rules. You're a marauder."

Sirius turned away from him again, a coughing spell seizing hold of him.

"Go away, James," Sirius stated past gasps of air as the coughing subsided, "I'm tired and I want to sleep."

"Sirius," James said in a very solemn tone as he leaned towards his friend, "You have to listen to me. If you go to sleep, you're not going to wake up, you understand? Not this time. Not is we don't finish this."

"Finish?"

"Sirius, Harry needs you. Don't you understand that?

"James, don't worry about Harry. He'll be fine. I have it all worked out."

"Really." James stated skeptically.

"Yup. So stop worrying. Hey!" Sirius' expression brightened a little. "Where's Lily? Do I get to see her to as part of this delusion?"

"Lily's seeing Harry. She's coming."

"Be good to see her. I miss her too, you know?"

Just then a pretty red-haired woman appeared behind James.

"That's good to hear, Sirius." Lily said with a soft caring smile as she slowly sat down on the edge of the bed. "It's nice to know you miss me."

"How was Harry?"

Lily gave Sirius a warm smile. "He's fine, Sirius. You've done such a wonderful job taking care of him. Of my son. He's healthy. He's happy. He's everything I wanted for him. And I have you to thank for that."

"Not for much longer." James stated bluntly.

Lily turned abruptly to her husband. "What do you mean?"

"Padfoot's decided he doesn't want the job anymore, Lily." James explained to her.

"Not....?" Lily turned quickly back to Sirius. "Sirius?"

Sirius rolled his eyes and turned over in the bed once more. "I'm arguing with shadows again." He mumbled.

But Lily grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back to face her. "Sirius, what does James mean? You're not leaving my son?"

"Lily, don't worry." Sirius assured her. "Remus will take care of him. He'll adopt Harry."

Lily looked nearly beside herself at the suggestion. "Sirius! He can't!"

"Can't?"

"Remus is a werewolf, Sirius! They don't let werewolves adopt children!"

"What?"

James stepped up behind Lily. "Which means without you, Padfoot, Harry will go straight back to Lily's sister. And where as I try to judge people fairly," he added with a slight shake of his head, "a bigger pack of muggles you won't find anywhere."

"But....but he can't go back to them!" Sirius looked positively terrified at the possibility.

"All right then, Padfoot." James stated. "Maybe we can discuss what we're going to do here once more."

Sirius was still staring at Lily's stricken face, which was starting to show signs of tears in her large emerald eyes.

Sirius reached up and brushed one of the tears away as it started to fall.

"Don't cry, Lily." He pleaded softly. "You know what that always does to me. I could never stand to see you cry."

"You?" James stated with a huff. "What about me? How do you think she got that really ugly painting hanging in the hallway at the house?"

Sirius suddenly smiled at the memory. "You mean that one that looked like...?"

Lily cut him off quickly. She knew exactly what Sirius thought the painting looked like, and it wasn't anything repeatable.

"That was a beautiful piece of art work." She defended. "Just because you two couldn't appreciate it...."

"Lily," James informed her, "no one who came in the house could appreciate it."

"My mother and father loved it!"

"Well, Dear," James said sympathetically, "those were the people who also made you all you are. So it's only natural they would also appreciate ugly art."

Lily huffed at him. "James," She stated aloofly, "talk to your friend." She then abruptly vanished.

Sirius looked around quickly.

"Oh, she'll be back." James stated as he took her place on the side of the bed. "She's just gone off to see Harry again. She's absolutely wild about being able to talk to him."

"He's a baby." Sirius frowned.

"And you'd be amazed at what they understand, Padfoot. Trust me on that one and remember it."

Sirius sighed as he settled under the covers. "What time is it anyway?"

"It's about three in the morning. Which is why we have to get this settled, Padfoot. I don't have a lot more time. Now, Sirius...."

"There's nothing to settle, James." Sirius cut him off abruptly. "It's already been decided."

"Sirius, please listen to me for a minute...." James pleaded.

"James?"

"Sirius, please, just...."

But Sirius had already worked the problem out to it's only possible solution. "James, I'm keeping Harry."

James stopped short. "Wh....what?"

"I'm keeping him, James. If I survive this, I'm keeping Harry. He'll stay with me." Sirius pulled the covers back over him. "Honestly! What sort of godfather do you think I am?"

Sirius found himself suddenly grabbed in a tight hug. "The best, Sirius! The very best! Merlin's Beard! I knew I made the right choice. I knew you wouldn't leave Harry to those muggles no matter what."

Sirius quickly wiped a hand over his eyes as James let him go. "Rubbish!" He stated as firmly as he could. "I told you, I just can't stand to see Lily cry."

"And you don't need to worry about 'surviving'." James said as he stood back up.

Sirius looked up at him. "Well, I think it would help looking after Harry if I was alive, Prongs." Sirius' face suddenly brightened again. "Or do I get to be like a spirit guide or something? That could be interesting."

James shook his head with a smile. "Sorry, Padfoot. My son needs a 'live' person looking after him."

Sirius shook his head. "I don't know then, James. Madam Pomfrey's doing her best, and this doctor of Remus' seems fairly competent, but...." Sirius suddenly stopped as another coughing spell took hold of him.

James reached over and pulled Sirius' arms back from where he had them wrapped tightly across his chest. He laid his hand on Sirius' chest and almost as abruptly as it had started, the coughing stopped.

Sirius laid in the bed for a moment, a stunned look on his face as he stared up at James. But suddenly he felt the coughing coming back. It started deeper in his chest than before and built itself up until he was hacking over the congestion in his lungs worse than he could ever recalled. Within seconds Sirius found himself coughing up the blood-tainted phlegm again. But he never remembered coughing up so much or it hurting so bad.

The seizure continued for several minutes. When it finally stopped, Sirius laid back on the bed again, gasping once more for air. But this time he found that breathing was easier than it had been in days, and it didn't hurt so much anymore.

"Merlin's Beard." He gasped as he lay with his eyes closed. "Please tell me we aren't going to do that again."

"That's up to you, Padfoot." James replied as Sirius opened his eyes and turned to him. "Or at least, I can promise we won't do that again." He added, pointing at Sirius chest. "I only get to do that once. But the rest is up to you, Padfoot. I can't cure you, but I can help you on your way."

Sirius frowned. "Well why didn't you bloody well just do that in the beginning?"

"Because I couldn't, Sirius." James replied. "'Rules', remember?"

"You also said rules were for breaking."

"Not this one, Padfoot. And this rule stated that the only way I could help you was if you were willing to help yourself. You had to show some sort of resolve to get better. You had to have some purpose. You couldn't go on just to keep feeling sorry for yourself. But you gave yourself a purpose. And you stated it very clearly. My son. You wanted to be there for Harry."

"So I get to live as long as I look after Harry?" Sirius asked, his brows coming together.

James shook his head. "It's not as simple as that, Sirius. And I could sit here the rest of the night explaining it to you, but tell me something?" He asked with a smile. "Would it honestly matter?"

Sirius thought for a moment. But finally he shook his head. "No. It wouldn't. If I have to be here for a reason," he said, "I can't think of a better one."

A woman's voice suddenly interrupted them past a small shriek as it echoed back into the room.

"Harry James Potter! Where did you learn to do that!?"

James barely had time to look behind him when Lily appeared back in the room, the stern look on her face directed at the man in the bed.

"Sirius Black!" She stated firmly with hands on hips. "What have you been teaching my son?!"

Sirius looked innocently at her. "Depends." He asked. "What did he do?"

"It was disgusting!"

Sirius raised his hand. "Oh. O.K., then. That was me. If it was in any way cute or adorable, then that was Remus' fault."

Lily shook her head, then turned to her husband. "Everything taken care of, I hope?"

James nodded. "Everything's fine."

Lily looked over the covers of Sirius' bed, which were less then pristine clean any longer.

"Oh...," she said softly, "that had to be nasty."

"Trust me. It was. And your husband's cures leave something to be desired, Lily, let me tell you." Sirius answered, shaking his head. "Do me a favor? Don't ever let him grow up to be a doctor."

Lily turned sharply to her husband. "Cures?" She asked. "James? What's he talking about. Cures? I thought you explained things to him."

"Things?" Sirius turned a questioning stare to James.

James paused for a minute. "You're not 'cured', Padfoot. Remember? I can't do that. I could only help you on your way. The rest has to be up to you. You have to work with those trying to help you now. You have to want to get better. You have to want to live."

"Harry's going to need you more than you know, Sirius." Lily said softly. "Please don't make him face his life alone. You will be able to do so much for him. Things no one else could. Please don't leave him alone."

"I won't, Lily." Sirius replied in a voice that was growing steadily more tired sounding. "You know that."

Lily leaned down and kissed Sirius on the cheek. "And stop teaching my son those things." She whispered as she pulled back.

"What things?" Sirius asked her with a wink.

Lily rolled her eyes to the ceiling and shook her head.

James took her place as he leaned down and kissed his friend's cheek as well. "You take care of yourself, Padfoot." He said quietly. "And raise Harry a true marauder." He added.

Lily sighed as her husband joined her. "Raise him 'proper', Sirius." She said.

"A 'proper' marauder." James added, giving Sirius a quick thumbs-up.

Sirius smiled back at his two friends.

"Oh, and one more thing." James said as Sirius watched the two figures start to fade. "Tell Remus 'he's welcome' for the rescue." He added with a quick wink, then disappeared.

Q&A

Family Life, Chapter One

Maab: Oh, Dear. Another one. I do hope you read these or have already discovered on my bio page that Family Life is completed. I think I'll have to bring that story up and make an adjustment in the summary. Anyway, thanks for the review.

Family Life

Hermione Gulliver: Well, not exactly every chapter, but I do appreciate the reviews. And, yes, Family Life is being sequeled. Twice, in fact. Family Life is a three story arc, at present. The first story is Family Life, followed by Family Relations and Family Ties. Family Relations should be out sometime this summer. Family Ties will likely not be out until next year.

Karla: Generally I try not to take sides, but I do hope that the fact that I gave you your very own gold star (since MKH would not share) will make amends. And I do applaud all those who remembered from back in A Dog's Day why Remus could transform even through it wasn't a full moon.

This chapter was sort of a breather for the readers. Especially since this one hit the ground running right out of the gate.

Dumbledore knew about James' invisibility cloak and wand since he was the one who gave them to Remus in the first place. He knew how to retrieve them because he was keeping watch over Sirius on his way to Remus', but wasn't interfering unless absolutely needed because he wanted to see how things played out. Sometimes you can learn the truth in a situation much more easily by watching the people involved than by questioning them.

Dumbledore didn't retrieve the invisibility cloak and wand from Remus', since that isn't where Sirius left them. He had left them further away, just in case the ministry was watching Remus' house, so they wouldn't be discovered and incriminate Remus.

Why Hagrid called Remus 'professor' is addressed in the author's notes.

How the got to Hogwart's is sort of explained in this chapter at the end.

I'm up to all sorts of things. Don't you know me by now?

Lotesse: Hmmmm? On vacation in Colorado? No computer, but snow, clean air, cool streams, and mountains.

Now, let see what P.A.R. did for Spring Break. Stayed home and worked.

You'll excuse me if I have trouble feeling sorry for you. Right?

Poor Remus is just a little stressed right now. He'll mellow out again.

A werewolf study-buddy. I like that.

In regards to Aaron Richards and a little background, I direct you to go see Taracollowen's answer below. It covers a great deal of information about the good doctor that isn't in the story.

How would you greet Hagrid upon realizing he's a friend that wouldn't range along the areas of 'OhthankGod!!!!'.

Well, for a much as Sirius has been out of the story, you should be in 'Sirius' heaven right now, seeing as he was the main topic of conversation in this one. And Harry will be making a return as well. It's those darned child labor laws, you understand. Can't work him too much.

Nagini: Not tellin'. HeeHeeHee. I will say this though, and maybe the problem was once again P.A.R. was too subtle for her own good. The answer to what's going on is in Family Life. Read the last few chapters again, folks. Especially The Spell. It's all there. There's a lot in those last few chapters. And when Family Relations comes out, you'll see just how important everything that happened there was.

Lin-z: Nonsense! I always miss my reviewers. Especially consistent ones, as you have been. And it's nice to have you back. I hope you enjoyed your holiday. As you can see from this chapter, whether or not Sirius gets better is very much going to be up to him.

Taracollowen: Sure there's a registry. But that doesn't mean every werewolf registers.

Aaron Richards is also not a wizard to be messed with, believe me. Keeping in mind that Aaron contacted Remus' parents soon after Remus was bitten, the most I can say about him is think of him as the underground railroad for werewolves looking to stay out of the hands (or under the thumbs) of the ministry. His least favorite supporter? Orion Black.

As to the 'who's getting captured' thing, lets go back to old Aaron Richards for a moment. Think about how he responded to two situations. One, that Remus was keeping a wanted fugitive (?) in his house and risking guilt by association. Aaron helps unregistered werewolves avoid such situations (getting into trouble with the ministry in any form), and here's Remus standing in the middle of that puddle of mud, perfectly happy to be there. Second, how he responded to helping Remus escape the ministry with Sirius and Harry. He wasn't the least bit flustered and seemed to know a good deal more about what to do than Remus. (Remember Remus was going to answer the door.) So one can safely assume that Aaron Richards has yet to encounter any new situations here. Meaning, the man's been in trouble before. After all, he's known by one of the higher ranking Unspeakables, Orion Black, and it isn't because he's on his Christmas card list.

Was any of this in the story? No. Was it in ANY story? No. It's just stuff about characters that gets left out due to time or late character expansion. It may or may not be relevant to other stories and may not show up at all. But...just to pass the time and clear some things up, there you are. And part of Aaron Richards past is briefly mentioned in Family Relations.

Oh, back to the 'capture' thing. In order for the ministry to tie anyone to a crime(?), they would have to have seen faces, and Aaron and Remus were far enough ahead of the ministry (and it was dark out) to not be seen. Could the ministry make educated guesses at who at least one of the people was? Sure. But it's not currently part of the plot.

Actually, I would think the opposite to be true about how happy someone would be in regards to the 'who gets captured' thing again. I would not like to think how 'happy' Aaron would be to see Remus caught. Aaron is, for all intents and purposes, and older male pack member. He's looking out for the welfare of a younger male (one who hasn't been listening to him up till now, by the way, and who he's probably about ready to slap). If that wolf were to be captured under his 'watch', things could get very messy when the older male tries to recover his captured pack member. And trust me, there's nothing in this world that wants to tangle with an older, really grouchy werewolf.

All in all though, I like the scenario you put down. it is very well thought out and shows some serious effort.

Someone else pointed out after you that this seemed to be a 'connection chapter', as you put it. Whereas I never plan on a chapter being one thing or another, the last two chapters have been little more than breathers. I mean, I though you guys could use one...or two, ya' know.

As for Dumbledore, you can safely assume a few things. He's getting suspicious that maybe Sirius actually didn't have anything to do with James and Lily's deaths or what happened to the Dursley's. He is the one who gave Remus James' wand and invisibility cloak, so he ahd no trouble recovering them. He knew where they were because he was watching over Sirius on his way to Remus' but didn't interfere as to stay inconspicuous in case something went wrong and he was needed. He knew Sirius was at Remus' house. He knew what was going on with Harry at the Dursley's, but was at the time powerless to do anything because he needed Harry where he was protected. And whereas the child wasn't particularly happy, he was safe. Dumbledore knows it was James who helped Remus, Aaron, Sirius, and Harry escape the ministry.

Personally, I think Colin Powell should be president. But that's just me.

Teigra: I always considered it quite the idiot writer who writes back to her reviewers and cusses at them. So, no Dear. Whatever you said, whatever I said, take it tongue and cheek. That's how I'm usually writing things. Sometimes I forget you can't hear the tone I'm using when I say somethings. But always remember that I would never out and out attack or abase or abuse one of my reviewers. I try to hold to that rule in both my reviews and my answers. If I ever do, be proud, because you must have really had to work for it. Generally, if you're mean, I just ignore you in the answers section. If I do otherwise, as I said, it's not meant to be taken seriously.

Actually, apparently not as far fetched as you think since a few other people thought that it was Harry who rescued them from the ministry. But I will say, as that this chapter covered that, that no, it was no Harry. Cute idea though. But I just don't see Harry, no matter how special he may be, being able to apparate three adults and a baby to Hogwarts. Now, his father........!

Sirius may need all the help he can get, but his getting better is entirely up to him.

Essence of Magic: HEY! Ahem! I THOUGHT we learned a little something about 'innocent until proven guilty' this time 'round?

Humf! Apparently NOT!

Anyway, just for calling me that, I won't tell you what happens to Sirius in Family Relations and why he's only in the first few chapters. (O.K., so it wasn't likely I'd tell you anyway, I'm trying to make a point here.).

Ten hours on a bus? Five stories to work on? Do you get car-sick, Dear? If not, I see opportunity knocking.

I hope this was better. It was longer.

Oh, and all they were shooting at Remus and Aaron during their escape were stunning spells and nasty things like that. Had they actually encountered the wolf (he was only a wolf, mind you, not a werewolf in his transformation), they would have had no idea it was an animagus and tried to transform him back.

Hey, Whisp!

Who DOESN'T love Remus?

*Hand comes up in the back. P.A.R. quickly runs back and slaps that person into next week. Quickly comes back to the front of the room.*

Anyone else?

*Room gets very quiet.*

I didn't think so.

Great, now people are killing time waiting for me to post. I don't really know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Question. Was that in the Harry Potter books and if so, can you point me in the proper direction of where. If it wasn't, you see, I'm afraid I can't use it as that I am trying to stay as true to Rowling's canon on things like that as I can. Very cool if it is though.

MKH: aka Troublemaker.

Thank you for the reviews on Family Life and Diamond. So, female as well, huh?

Nope, no Harry. Whereas he's an amazing kid to be sure, I just don't see a 9-18 month old apparating three adults and a baby to Hogwarts. But a lot of people went with that supposition.

Remus was a little stressed. Cut him some slack. Poor Remus would likely jump one of Santa's elves right now if the little bugger got too close to Harry. Remus is currently almost down to auto-pilot right now. He's running on little more than adrenaline and instinct. And instinct to Remus is 'protect'. Which he is doing.

No, Aaron did not attend Hogwarts.

Remus and his folks found out Aaron was a werewolf because he contacted them, not the other way around.

As for James' wand and cloak, who do you think gave them to Remus, anyway?

Anti-biotics are wonderful things. (Just a little overused.) I would think Aaron, like any good doctor, would use whatever worked.

Oh, come on. Give the poor author a break! I can't remember everything. You can safely assume Harry had his blanket before going to bed seeing as through most of the story it takes something just short of a crowbar to pry it out of the kid's hands.

I'm afraid I can't say about the motorcycle just yet, as that the story is only in production and is only about a third of the way done. As for Remus, yes, he is in Family Relations, although it's more of a supporting role, sort of like Family Life was. But I always can use a voice of logic every now and then, and Remus just fits that bill perfectly.

Sorry, no gold star this week. But feel free to keep begging, blackmailing, or bribing the author.

Hey, Wolf!

Awwwwww, and this, folks, is why Wolf is one of P.A.R.'s favorites. Such kind words.

Well, it wasn't exactly a visit from Harry, but Sirius does seem on the road to recovery.

Peacockgirl: Thank you very much. And I hope you enjoy you're gold star. And thank you for the review on Diamond. I got a lot of non-Snape fans reading that one for some reason.

Catspook: Cute name.

But as you can read from my bio page, I never post uncompleted stories, nor do I write as I post. If I am posting a story, you can safely assume that the story will have an ending and that I won't desert you at some point and never finish it.

Nicky: Nope. Dumbledore had nothing to do with the escape as the end of this chapter showed, convoluted though it may have been.

Sirius is a bit more coherent in this chapter, so you can expect to see more of him in the next one as well.

As for Fever, a few people saw that relationship as slash, which it was not. They may be a cute couple in other stories, folks, but currently, not in mine.

I always saw an amazing amount of potential in Snape and Lupin being friends. But you're right, nearly killing your friend might put a damper on things a bit. Oddly enough, that is one of the chapters I have plotted out already for the story I'm doing on Snape and Lupin's friendship during their school days. That story is Proper Friends and will be out later this year or early next year. I sort of like the twist I gave that episode as to what really went on behind the scenes of the Whomping Willow incident. (Yes, I know, it's been done.)

A lot of people find it a bit odd that Sirius won't be in Family Relations more than a few chapters. But trust me, folks, there's a REALLY good reason for that scenario. But you'll have to wait and find out.

Sirius isn't in all of my stories. But he does rank VERY high on the P.A.R. favorite character list. But, actually, he is not in my next story, Enemies, at all. In fact, a few people may be disappointed in that story as that no original character from the Harry Potter series appears in that story at this point in time. So, if you're a die-hard Harry Potter character fan *P.A.R. looks disappointed.* , feel free to skip it.

Enjoy your gold star.

Starlight: I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Thanks for the review.

Phoenix: Harry makes an exceptionally cute baby to be sure. I don't know about other ages. But he's a cute baby. If you'd like other baby Harry stories, Trinity Day and Unicorn Whisperer have out unbelievably cute Baby Harry stories.

Kiara O. Lawrence:

And you consider not being able to go to classes because you're sick a BAD thing? *P.A.R. points a finger at Kiara.* HERMIONE!

Of course it's just you, Dear. No other reason. Couldn't have anything at all to do with the possibility that having you back means one more wonderful review for me to get to read. No. Not at all.

And I hope you're feeling better now.

LauraBlade: I'm sorry. You insult my chapter and expect no repercussions whatsoever? No, no, no, Dear. *P.A.R. flicks a moldy grape at LauraBlade.* You're getting fruit thrown at you. Moldy grapes are all I have right now. Live with it.

I kind of wondered why, if his friends became animagus, why Remus didn't also. But you're right, currently Rowling's hasn't expanded on that question. It's just that in several of my stories I needed his to be one, so I pulled out my poetic license and went to work.

Remember next time. You don't like fruit? Be nice. P.A.R. is well known for throwing fruit, and she has wicked aim.

Semmel: No. I don't believe the animagus thing was mentioned in The Bonds That Tie previously. Hence, all the bad confusion.

I don't know whether you're making sense or not, Dear, but P.A.R. did enjoy your teacher's phrase. That was cute.

Yes! P.A.R. loves long reviews.

I appreciate people being understanding about my taking a short break from Fanfiction.net to work on my other stories. But true to my bio page, I will only start posting a story that is finished, and I only have one right now that is, and it will be posted as a intermission to my vacation from the site. Sort of a little something to remember me by while I'm gone. It's a cute little one-shot called Siriusly Bored.

Black Sparkles: Yup. Sirius is only in the first few chapters of Family Relations. Oh, he makes guest appearances from time to time after that, but hardly enough to mention.

Bad? P.A.R. isn't bad.

Aaron doesn't 'know about Hogwarts because he didn't go there. He is aware of the school because his protégée went there. But that's about it. Aaron went to a different school.

I'm not sure If Dumbledore would have been Headmaster when Aaron was in school, as that Aaron is older than Remus.

Enjoy your gold star.

Kat: Sirius is, for the moment, safe. How long he stays that way has yet to be seen.

Poor Remus most definitely needs a week's vacation on a tropical island.

Harry is very well behaved. But a lot of that isn't due so much to his being the baby every parent wishes for, as is it the result of his time with the Dursley's. Harry learned that whenever things are unfamiliar, tense, or stressed, it's best to be quiet. And so he is. Under those conditions, when he got away from the Dursley's, it's just been extremely convenient that he learned that.

House elves are very cute, except to over-stressed, extremely tired werewolves.

Zimmy Russell:

I think the story was actually longer than the Q&A this time.

I can't post the stories I've previewed for you yet because they aren't finished. And you know my rules about that.

'Conspicuous by his absence' means you notice him the most because he isn't there. I mean, let's face it, a P.A.R. story with no Sirius? That'll be different. And I promise you, this story is.

The economy is bad, so you work as you can. The worst of it is, I have several college degrees, and I still can't get a decent job. I think last count was three...four...five....something like that. I just use them to paper my walls any way. So I lost count. (Those are majors and minors, by the way.) Oh! And certificates! I've got certificates!

Yes, miscasting Sirius Black could kill the third movie. Sort of like the casting director did in casting LeStat in Queen of the Damned. But P.A.R. isn't going to go there.

Nope. Not Star Wars. Sorry.

P.A.R. only gets basic Tier stations because she thinks most of what is on television these days is.......well, you get the picture. (No pun intended.).

A 'lycanthrope' is just a ten dollar word for a werewolf. Amaze your friends and impress your neighbors.

O.K., O.K., I don't plan cliffhangers. Some times its just a good place to end the chapter.

I would suppose they would want to keep track of werewolves the way they do anmagi. But, they don't know about all the animagi, do they? So.......!

Apocalypse is just another ten dollar word for the end of the world. (Been reading someone else's reviews again, have we?)

Yes, for some reason Fanfiction.net's computer search on authors names does not recognize poor old P.A.R.. I think it has something to do with my pen-name being all singled letters. But you can get me through the directory rather easily.

A statistics page is something you pay for...well, 'enhanced statistics', anyway. Which I paid to have simply because I wanted to see how many people were really reading this stuff. Turns out, quite a few. The Bonds That Tie I'm hoping will clock over three thousand hits shortly. And that's just since February. Not since I started posting it. My account only started then. Unfortunately, they don't keep track of those things until you get a paying account. Which is sad. I would have loved to have seen the original number of hits for Family Life.

You getz all kind of neat things when you payz. Like Enhanced Statistics. P.A.R. loves her Enhanced Statistics. Youz also getz E-mail. But P.A.R. has yet to figure out how to activate that one. Any help out there?

There was a gold star. Karla got it because MKH refused to share.

Ya'll have never failed to meet my expectations.

summersun: Thank you.

Lilahp: Awwww, another anonymous face in the crowd steps forward and is recognized. Thank you. Now, isn't this better than just being another anonymous 'hit' in my Enhanced Statistics?

Sorry though, can't answer questions about what's going to happen in the story.

I know I'd definitely pay to see someone grab Harry and have Sirius find out about it. Talk about your taking a cub from the bear. Not a bad story idea either.

I don't know that I ever go into werewolf society very much. I guess that's because in that regard I'm tainted. Among the things I've published was a book that, in part, dealt with werewolves and the set-up of that society was very unique. And I strive not to go against Rowling's canon for her stories where background things are concerned, such as various creatures social orders. I mean, I don't always accomplish it, but I try.

I'm not sure what TPTB is exactly, but in context of the question, I'll assume it has something to do with Warner Brothers or Scholastic Publishing, who currently own the rights to the Harry Potter Series. I would love to see spin-offs from this series written by fanfiction authors. And whether or not Warner Brothers will allow it has yet to be seen. I think they are the biggest pack of gits ever put on this earth if they don't, considering the money aspect. But I would also understand why they would hold off until Rowling is done with the series. After that, I suppose it would have to be a 'supply and demand' sort of thing. I mean, after being overdosed on Harry Potter for seven or eight years, will anyone still be interested? Of course, look at how long Star Trek has been going, and is still going strong. Yes, I would love to see this done. I'd be submitting Family Life faster than you could say 'low fee with royalties'.

And by the way, I am very much an advocate of people getting their start into writing by doing things along the likes of Star Trek and Star Wars novels. Many of my writing friends got their start and still are making their living that way. So, never let anyone tell you that writing fanfiction is a waste of time. After all, what are those books but fanfictions?

I think you're likely just a little conservative in your number of people hitting this site. Even just for those hitting the Harry Potter area of Fanfiction.net, I can't see the number being that low.

Yeah, the woman needs to get on with it. It's been nearly two years, after all. No offense, Ms. Rowling.

Thank you for the review....and the discussion. I like those as much as questions.

Jadeite: Thank you for the review. Favorite is The Bonds That Tie, hmmm? I'm finding that to seemingly be the favorite. But it is, after all, the story I'm currently posting. So I think the voting is a bit bias.

Thank you all.

Reviews are as of 03302002. Blackmail can be fun if done right. See you next week.