Disclaimer: all characters belong to J K Rowling and Warner brothers.
a/n Story dedicated to Moppet Poppet, Cheating Death's 500th reviewer! This chapter specifically is dedicated to MeShelly, who took on the challenge and reviewed over half of Western Stars all in one day, and Kaydee, for her first day of school *cackles*
Of Western Stars By neutral
Chapter thirty-four - of beginning anew
*one month later*
Remus apparated back to the Moor House, previously known as Black Manor, to the most sheltered position possible, his past attempts long since given him that astuteness. After popping twice into a middle of a tickle war between Sirius and Harry (which was always one sided and amounted to a serious victory) and becoming a victim (Remus, although appearances said otherwise, was horribly ticklish. Sirius was not, which he personally thought, was cruelly unfair), he had learned his lesson. Another time, he found himself right at wand point when Sirius was attempting to teach Harry a rather unflattering hex, but that he'd rather not recall.
Remus stepped out of the broom closest, flicking some dust out of his robes and straining his ears for any sound. But the house was peacefully quiet; they must be outside.
It took a week to finally convince Madam Pomfrey to release Harry from the infirmary. In the end, it was Sirius who gave the nurse more trouble than the six year old. Remus paused, unable to suppress an amused smile as he recalled the sight that met his eyes when he walked into the secluded guestroom.
//
"Would you stay still?" the ever-suffering nurse snapped, prodding Sirius none too gently on the arm. "I'm never going to be able to diagnose this if you don't!"
"Would you keep your voice down?" Sirius grumbled, looking even more irritated than Madam Pomfrey. "Harry's sleeping, and he doesn't take to the idea of wands anymore after the incident at the hotel room."
Madam Pomfrey sighed in exasperation, straightening. "Black, you are impossible to deal with. You obviously need treatment, but you completely refuse to take the potions!"
Sirius rubbed his hand gingerly, grumpily eyeing the flustered nurse. "Potions? Since when did I get potions?"
Madam Pomfrey pointed to a vial, filled to the brim with a blue fluid without answering.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, throwing several worried glances at the sleeping form in a bed a few feet away. "That's mine? I thought that was for Harry"
"What?! You tried giving that to the six year old child? This is for adults, not for a still growing child! You…"
"No! Of course I didn't try to give that to Harry, knowing how…" Sirius seemed to bite back the word territorial, as it wouldn't go well on the nurse. "you are. I'm perfectly fine. How's Harry?"
Madam Pomfrey folded her arms; Remus could almost see her narrowed eyes and thinned lips from the doorway. "Black, you have a one track mind! You're anything but okay. Exhaustion, malnourishment -- who knows what dementors could do to you for five years, those unhealthy and unsanitary creatures -- You need treatment right away. I'm amazed you can still walk with all the damage your body has taken. Now sit down!"
Grimly and very reluctantly, Sirius sat again. Madam Pomfrey wiped her wand against her sleeve out of habit, making the tip glow faintly as she examined his eyes. But Sirius' line of sight kept darting to the bed beside his where Harry slept. The small form seemed to stir slightly, disturbed by the raised voices. The nurse finally sighed in exasperation, raping the godfather sharply on the forehead.
"Stay still!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, he's waking up," Sirius whispered, raising a hand to his lips. He ducked under Madam Pomfrey's arm, and in two long strides, plopped himself back on the chair beside his godson's bed.
The nurse visibly bristled.
\\
Sirius was so preoccupied by his godson, Madam Pomfrey couldn't treat him for more than fifteen minutes before he was already sneaking away. It grated the nurse's patience to no end, and drove Remus to cast the sleeping charm over Sirius more than once. That was the only way he could pry him away from Harry; Sirius desperately needed the reprieve. The six year old wasn't the only one who looked wasted. Sirius had been so pale those days in the hospital wing, he looked washed out, like skin stretched over a bag of bones. The five years of Azkaban plus two weeks of emotional exhaustion was taking its toll, but it seemed that everyone but Sirius realized how grave his condition was. It wasn't until Harry began voice his worries that he finally relented. But Sirius always placed himself as the lowest priority on his 'to take care of' list.
When he managed to secure the house for the trio with Dumbledore's help, they all jumped on the opportunity to finally get away. Sirius moved back into his family mansion, large enough to house twenty people, and sneaked into it in the middle of the night to avoid prying reporters. Remus followed a day later, and they both settled as a makeshift version of a family. The money paid as retribution for Sirius' imprisonment was enough to support them for more than a lifetime, even at the squandering they were doing now.
Remus found himself plastered with the job of a voluntary house elf, picking up after the two (Sirius was often the one he had to pick up after. Harry was meticulously neat and organized, but the child never had many possessions. The two guardians were still trying to stock up, but Harry always seemed embarrassed by their efforts). Sirius had given up the idea of real elves after a few glued themselves on Harry when they found out who he was, and nearly frightened the child to bits. That left Remus with all the work.
He didn't particularly mind, though. Life was rewarding as it was, and he was determined to enjoy it while it lasted. The remaining marauders, plus a junior member (although this one didn't cause nearly as much trouble, and nor could they bring themselves to play pranks on the innocent little boy), fell back into the days before graduation, when Voldemort was nonexistent in their worlds.
It wasn't like that they didn't change. Sirius was still Sirius, but he was no longer the reckless, rash teenager who refused to grow up. There was an air of aged maturity in his actions, but once in a while, he'd do something that would make Remus fling a hex his way. Whatever shadows Azkaban left on his life, he didn't show it. But with the kind of attention he paid James' son, Remus couldn't help but wonder if Harry was a sort of anchor, someone that kept him sane and tied him to reality.
To Harry, he was somebody different altogether. Remus would often marvel at the facets of temperament that Sirius exhibited. One moment, he'd be screaming at some reporter through the fireplace, and the next, calm and comforting to his godson. He indulged the child with anything possible, and was even more overprotective than the most doting parent. Every morning, the first thing he'd do when he awoke was to peek into Harry's room. Every night, he wouldn't leave the six year olds bedside until he fell asleep. Remus was beginning to wonder what'll happen if Harry ever grew up.
But for Harry, the adjustment was slow. The countless scars that laced his back was always a reminder of the events that occurred, and how much everyone suffered. The emotional scars, for a child so young, was difficult to heal. He no longer flinched at every touch, or whimpered from a raised voice, but sometimes, there was still darkness lurking behind the emerald pools.
The Dursleys had neglected the child to an extent that it made Remus wish he had done more than just broke Vernon's jaw. Anything that would have avenged Harry, anything to free him from the past.
After Harry was removed from his bandages and the bruises from his ordeals faded, old scars that had been hidden stood out with frightening intensity. A deep gash on the child's bony shoulder that was too long to be a belt or stick, a smooth ringed patch of skin on his arm that held alarming similarity to a burn from a muggle stove…
It grated Sirius' restraint beyond endurance, and Remus suspected he was quietly gnawing away his patience for revenge.
Harry lived in constant fear of having his perfect sanctuary torn away from him without a moment's notice. Harry had those nightmares frequently, and no matter how many times they tried to reassure him, he would still be haunted. After those dreams, Harry tagged behind Sirius so closely that he would have been knocked over if the older man wasn't careful. Sirius humored him in those times, and would carry the child around the house through the majority of the day.
But the child was learning, slowly reacquainting himself with the new world he was given.
Remus grinned when he recalled the time Harry snuck into Sirius' room in the middle of the night, during a thunderstorm, and crawled under the blankets. And the time he flicked a cherry at Remus for transfiguring Sirius into a stuffed dog (Harry always sided with Sirius in these matters. Remus always believed he was as attached to his godfather as Sirius was to him. But his actions were so restrained that everything Harry thought or said had to be read through his eyes. Needless to say, both he and Sirius were both becoming experts). They were small little things, but they still made him smile.
Remus wondered if this was what parenthood was like. Sirius and Remus had two whole photo albums filled with Harry's pictures within the first month. It was unfair, in a way. James and Lily should have been able to enjoy it. But he never lingered on that thought for long, with a quiet six year old and loud twenty-five year old running through the four storied, twenty-two bed roomed house.
Remus opened the front door and stepped into the grassy expanse, broken only by a few tall trees.
The sound of a small child laughing.
To see a little boy riding a dog like a strange undersized horse would make anyone start, but Remus only sighed and shook his head.
Padfoot tore through the grass with Harry in tow, gripping at the fur to keep from flying off. The child was a light burden; despite all the weight he gained since his arrival, he was still disturbingly small for his age. The dog was taking obvious care not to jostle him too much.
There were times when Remus wondered where he belonged between all this. But Sirius needed him as a friend, and through the years, he needed constant reminder of the present. Harry trusted him as someone uniquely him. Plus, Remus didn't completely like the idea of Sirius raising Harry by himself. It wasn't that he would be a poor guardian, knowing how much he loved the child, but he was still Sirius. He'd burn the house down just trying to cook.
Padfoot bounded between trees, making the child grasp his glasses before they flew, before finally disposing Harry in a heap on tall grass. He scooped up a thick, oak branch, littered with teeth marks.
Remus had to smile at the sight.
Padfoot and Harry, engaged in a biased game of tug-of-war, was amusing no matter how many times the played it. The bear-like dog had already pulled the poor boy off his feet, and was proceeding to drag him across the grass. Harry shook his head, stubbornly refusing to relinquish it.
Until Padfoot nudged him in the side with a paw.
Harry broke down in a fit of laughter, dropping in the grass. Victorious, the dog nuzzled him again, and the child hurriedly tried to roll to safety.
"No! Bad Padfoo…"
More laughter, and a hiccup this time.
Remus shook his head. Time to go to Harry's rescue.
"Padfoot, let the poor kid breathe!" Remus shouted reprovingly, running across the ankle length grass.
Padfoot shot him a resentful glare, but reluctantly released the boy. Harry scrambled to his feet, wild hair even wilder with pieces of leaves and grass, and fled to his savior.
"Moony!" Harry greeted with a timid smile, some of his shyness returning. He was only truly a child around his godfather, but Remus held the position as a honorary big brother / second godfather / friend (the word uncle had been tainted; Harry stubbornly refused to refer to anyone as uncle) of sorts in his eyes.
Remus scooped him up in a small hug, and discreetly started to extract the pieces of grass tangled in his hair. Harry was gasping for breath, trembling from exertion and weariness. He was still easily tired after a month of slow recovery, and Remus inwardly sighed, saving Sirius a rebuke later. He patted the small child's back in a mixed effort to alleviate the coughs and dust the leaves from his clothes.
"Padfoot's picking on you again?" Remus teasingly asked, glaring at the dog pointedly and speaking just loud enough for him to hear.
Padfoot barked indignantly.
"Nod, Harry," Remus whispered under his breath, when the child proved to be clueless.
Obediently, Harry nodded.
Padfoot growled. Remus triumphantly grinned.
Remus lightly smoothed out the child's hair, "Moony is so much nicer than Padfoot, right? Keep nodding, Harry. See, I don't tickle you to death and pick on you all the time. And… oh no. Harry, run. Run back in the house!"
Remus barely set Harry back on the ground before the growling, oversized, furry blob ploughed into him, knocking him off his feet.
Ten minutes later, Sirius sulked on the grass with spiky black hair, glaring at a rather smug looking Remus with a wand.
The front door cautiously cracked open, and Harry peeked out. Noting the clear coast and the oppressing silence, he tentatively stepped outside.
Harry paused when he caught sight of the two, blinking after a rather nasty shock. "Padfoot, your hair…"
Not the best thing to say, considering the temperature of Sirius' glare doubled. Remus made a grunt that sounded suspiciously like inhaled laughter, covering his mouth to muffle the sounds.
Sirius abruptly grinned, a wide, malicious, scheming grin. "They're to stab people with," Sirius cheerfully declared.
Remus instantly backed away, and taking the next closest victim, Sirius poked the five inch long spikes in Harry's direction. The six year old yelped, ran, dodged, and finally settled on latching onto his godfather's back so he'd be successfully out of range. The child was amazingly clever for his age, Remus mused, especially when it came to survival.
Whatever murderous intentions in Sirius' mind melted at that. He patted on the ground beside him, and when Harry plopped down on the grass, affectionately ruffled the child's hair (it was a sort of habit that stuck. Remus would smoothen it out, and Sirius would ruffle it up. It got to a point where people could predict who he met last. Harry never bothered to use a comb).
The ex-convict had long since lost the shadows under his eyes, and his skin was lightly tanned from all those hours under the sun. His hair was finally back in working order, smoothly cropped but no longer neat after the dash through the grass (and Remus' hex). If his blue eyes were just a shade lighter, he would look exactly like the man he was five years ago.
"Harry, think you could change my hair back?" Sirius asked, trying to tug a few spikes of hair so that they could rest flat on his head, but with no success.
It was strange, really, asking magical help from a child. But both Sirius and Remus long since learned how apt Harry was when it came to these matters. They often found him doing performing wandless transfiguration after just seeing it once, and modifying it in ways that they were sure McGonagall would even have trouble with. Remus was beginning to wonder if a trip to Ollivander's was even necessary. Harry's premonitory abilities faded with these practices in magic, but in a way, Remus was relieved. No child should ever have to deal with the burdens of a clairvoyant.
Harry squinted hard at Sirius, emerald eyes brightening with an unnatural light, and the protruding strands of hair peeled back and returned to the laws of gravity. Sirius patted it curiously, shooting a few warning glances Remus' way when he fingered his wand.
"It looks a bit messier than normal," Harry mused quietly, patting his godfather on the hair much like the way he scratched Padfoot's head. It was a habit he never really abandoned.
Sirius glowered in Remus' direction, and whispered low under his breath. "Try to turn Moony's robes orange."
Harry furrowed his brow in thought. "Orange? I've never tried it on a person's clothes before. I'm not sure I can do it right."
Remus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What was that? What is Sirius teaching you this time?"
"Necessities of life," Sirius informed him nonchalantly. He turned back to the child. "It's the same, but you have to start at his shoes."
"But wouldn't that be really mean?" Harry asked, chewing his lip.
"It's for practice," Sirius grinned schemingly. "And besides, if the wolf ever gets mad, Padfoot will be here to fend him off. Go ahead, try it."
Harry fidgeted, but under Sirius' gaze, seemed to finally relent. He nodded somewhat hesitantly, giving Remus a rather apologetic look.
The wind current shifted around the unsuspecting werewolf, the grass ruffling unnaturally around him. He startled as the patches of grass at his feet froze as if pulled taunt by invisible hands, widening into fat yellow sticks.
Sirius gaped, then snickered.
"What the hell?" Sirius choked out.
Remus picked at a yellow rod that was originally a length of grass, examining it between his fingers. "Harry, why did you change the grass into French fries?"
Harry ducked his head, face reddening as he hid behind his godfather. "Oops." At Remus' incriminating gaze, he slowly began melting towards the grass in embarrassment. "I'm a little hungry."
Sirius drew Harry in a fond, one armed hug with a large smile. "It's a pity you didn't turn Moony into a French fry."
*
The end.
The undersized burrito with too much filling *sigh* The ending left everything hanging. *groan* I was going to reedit it, but like CD, it sort of died along the way. I'm so sorry! you can sort of tell I wrote this on a bus ride, since its completely fragmented. It's a draft, so one day, I probably would come back and reedit it.
as for CoS, umm... chapter 11 is giving me some trouble. I only have 4 pages of it so far, and umm... it's not very good. chapter 11 may be a shorter chapter, around 5 - 6 pages instead of the usual 7 - 8. ack! I'm sorry! School's starting on Thursday and I still haven't finished all my summer reading *cries*
This wasn't exactly what I planned for the epilogue, it just wrote itself. I suppose it doesn't close WS well, but… urg… I'm too lazy to write another. There wasn't even going to be an epilogue, but I couldn't bring myself to end WS either. There's a second chapter to the epilogue, but that closes it all. Well… I guess you can throw scene ideas for me. If I ever get in that mood, I'll choose a few and write it out. There's still some strings that I don't think I tied well. The Dursleys who practically got away with everything. Then, there's Remus' condition to deal with. But another chapter's definitely out of the question, urg!! If someone who hit's the 500th or 1000th or 1500th (if it ever gets there) review for any of the three stories want to request a short story that has to do in this timeline or another chapter to the other stories, I'll be happy to gurgitate one. uh oh, we missed the PoM and CoS 500, didn't we? umm...
Harry is very attached to Sirius, and he's the only person Harry truly trusts. I didn't add Harry and Remus bonding to this, although it would have been a good idea. But WS' theme and plot is so compact… Humm…
I was really worried about making Remus seem like third / fifth wheel in the household, but the things I tried to establish didn't seem that strong. Lets see if I can justify myself: a). Sirius, without Remus, would be constantly musing on the past and making himself miserable. Remus is an unwavering reminder of the present and the now, and with Sirius' past experiences, would never be able to manage by himself. Harry is still too young to understand b). Sirius can't possibly cook. Living in the hotel with Harry was different, he had room service and etc., but if he actually lived with Harry by himself, he'd never be able to get anything done c). Harry needs an outside influence, someone logical and confident and constant. It shows in the sequel later.
this was suppose to be the set up leading into CoS, only... err... it wasn't posted until after CoS was underway. Umm... pretend you haven't read CoS yet!
This epilogue really fragmented, isn't it? I was trying to expand it so it covered on all the important issues, but it ended up being… well… what do you think?
in reply to your message on good intentions CatsPaw: wow, congrats! you made it to one of the best girls schools in the nation! *cheers and throws confetti* girls colleges have the best dorms; i've visited a couple over the summer. what are you majoring in? how are your classes going? I might be applying to one of the Sisters, Wellesly probably, 'cause I'm thinking about graduating early, but I'm not sure if I'll qualify! ack...
wow, MeShelly, you don't have to review every single chapter! there're tons and it's going to take a long time! Plus, I'd feel really guilty if it ran into your school work. *hides* and your views are all long too! WS is really depressing, isn't it? ack... *offers tissues*
err... I tried not to bash this ending, Kaydee, even though everytime I read it... ack, I'll stop! I was aiming for an ending like chapter 32, where you get a sense of closure, but this doesn't really give it to you. ack... *grins* the 'aren't you both old men' statement by Harry, can't you just imagine the looks on Remus and Sirius' faces? but they can't really get mad at Harry since he really didn't understand that they were joking. *sigh* as for your message on my gbook (i updated by site! how do you like the hover links?), I feel your pain about math. I'm going into calculus bc, and... ack... how's the first day of school?
*prods with a cattle rod* Lily of the Valley, are you alive?!?!? Harry's really young and... scarred. It would have been sad if CoS took place 2 weeks after WS. *shudders* I know what you mean about skipping the middle though. I did that with one of my stories, and since then, I've been in this fear. I never write any chapter ahead and skip in the middle now, but different people write differently. *grins* tWisted reality sounds interesting! what's it going to be up? ack... I hope you have new glasses now!
*takes sugar away from Allocin* err... pills? err... *takes those away too* eh? you fainted? what happened? fatigue? exhaustion? fainting sucks! although people usually don't faint for more than 5 minutes, despite what the movies show. humm... I'm going off topic. *nod nod* disclaimers are getting really overblown, but at the same time necessary. It's sort of sad...
I think I should have waited on CoS until after WS was completely finished, Jade S, 'cause no one's reading WS anymore! although, I can see why. *sighs* The only reason I'm posting for WS is because I'm trying to drag attention away from CoS, where I am suffering a minor blockage. *sighs again*
thank you so much, Moonlight! I'm glad you liked Harry's naivete. *grins* the change of mood did seem to change everything around, Essence of Magic. I hope it didn't seem sudden or anything.
here's epilogue two, kayla, I hope you enjoy it! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, depth, and I hope the sequel is just as great! *grins* spiffling is a good word Bookworm2000! It sounds like... like Shadow's 'chipper' for some reason. err... I'll shut up now.
you're not old, Kit Cloudkicker! 24 is the perfect age to live and ooze energy! But of course, Harry being six, he really believed what Remus was saying about Sirius. this Happy Remus seems weird, doesn't it, wellduh...? especially after the homicidal Remus in CoS. uh oh, umm... *hides from Peacockgirl* CoS is giving me lots of trouble!
a/n Story dedicated to Moppet Poppet, Cheating Death's 500th reviewer! This chapter specifically is dedicated to MeShelly, who took on the challenge and reviewed over half of Western Stars all in one day, and Kaydee, for her first day of school *cackles*
Of Western Stars By neutral
Chapter thirty-four - of beginning anew
*one month later*
Remus apparated back to the Moor House, previously known as Black Manor, to the most sheltered position possible, his past attempts long since given him that astuteness. After popping twice into a middle of a tickle war between Sirius and Harry (which was always one sided and amounted to a serious victory) and becoming a victim (Remus, although appearances said otherwise, was horribly ticklish. Sirius was not, which he personally thought, was cruelly unfair), he had learned his lesson. Another time, he found himself right at wand point when Sirius was attempting to teach Harry a rather unflattering hex, but that he'd rather not recall.
Remus stepped out of the broom closest, flicking some dust out of his robes and straining his ears for any sound. But the house was peacefully quiet; they must be outside.
It took a week to finally convince Madam Pomfrey to release Harry from the infirmary. In the end, it was Sirius who gave the nurse more trouble than the six year old. Remus paused, unable to suppress an amused smile as he recalled the sight that met his eyes when he walked into the secluded guestroom.
//
"Would you stay still?" the ever-suffering nurse snapped, prodding Sirius none too gently on the arm. "I'm never going to be able to diagnose this if you don't!"
"Would you keep your voice down?" Sirius grumbled, looking even more irritated than Madam Pomfrey. "Harry's sleeping, and he doesn't take to the idea of wands anymore after the incident at the hotel room."
Madam Pomfrey sighed in exasperation, straightening. "Black, you are impossible to deal with. You obviously need treatment, but you completely refuse to take the potions!"
Sirius rubbed his hand gingerly, grumpily eyeing the flustered nurse. "Potions? Since when did I get potions?"
Madam Pomfrey pointed to a vial, filled to the brim with a blue fluid without answering.
Sirius raised an eyebrow, throwing several worried glances at the sleeping form in a bed a few feet away. "That's mine? I thought that was for Harry"
"What?! You tried giving that to the six year old child? This is for adults, not for a still growing child! You…"
"No! Of course I didn't try to give that to Harry, knowing how…" Sirius seemed to bite back the word territorial, as it wouldn't go well on the nurse. "you are. I'm perfectly fine. How's Harry?"
Madam Pomfrey folded her arms; Remus could almost see her narrowed eyes and thinned lips from the doorway. "Black, you have a one track mind! You're anything but okay. Exhaustion, malnourishment -- who knows what dementors could do to you for five years, those unhealthy and unsanitary creatures -- You need treatment right away. I'm amazed you can still walk with all the damage your body has taken. Now sit down!"
Grimly and very reluctantly, Sirius sat again. Madam Pomfrey wiped her wand against her sleeve out of habit, making the tip glow faintly as she examined his eyes. But Sirius' line of sight kept darting to the bed beside his where Harry slept. The small form seemed to stir slightly, disturbed by the raised voices. The nurse finally sighed in exasperation, raping the godfather sharply on the forehead.
"Stay still!"
"Shh! Keep your voice down, he's waking up," Sirius whispered, raising a hand to his lips. He ducked under Madam Pomfrey's arm, and in two long strides, plopped himself back on the chair beside his godson's bed.
The nurse visibly bristled.
\\
Sirius was so preoccupied by his godson, Madam Pomfrey couldn't treat him for more than fifteen minutes before he was already sneaking away. It grated the nurse's patience to no end, and drove Remus to cast the sleeping charm over Sirius more than once. That was the only way he could pry him away from Harry; Sirius desperately needed the reprieve. The six year old wasn't the only one who looked wasted. Sirius had been so pale those days in the hospital wing, he looked washed out, like skin stretched over a bag of bones. The five years of Azkaban plus two weeks of emotional exhaustion was taking its toll, but it seemed that everyone but Sirius realized how grave his condition was. It wasn't until Harry began voice his worries that he finally relented. But Sirius always placed himself as the lowest priority on his 'to take care of' list.
When he managed to secure the house for the trio with Dumbledore's help, they all jumped on the opportunity to finally get away. Sirius moved back into his family mansion, large enough to house twenty people, and sneaked into it in the middle of the night to avoid prying reporters. Remus followed a day later, and they both settled as a makeshift version of a family. The money paid as retribution for Sirius' imprisonment was enough to support them for more than a lifetime, even at the squandering they were doing now.
Remus found himself plastered with the job of a voluntary house elf, picking up after the two (Sirius was often the one he had to pick up after. Harry was meticulously neat and organized, but the child never had many possessions. The two guardians were still trying to stock up, but Harry always seemed embarrassed by their efforts). Sirius had given up the idea of real elves after a few glued themselves on Harry when they found out who he was, and nearly frightened the child to bits. That left Remus with all the work.
He didn't particularly mind, though. Life was rewarding as it was, and he was determined to enjoy it while it lasted. The remaining marauders, plus a junior member (although this one didn't cause nearly as much trouble, and nor could they bring themselves to play pranks on the innocent little boy), fell back into the days before graduation, when Voldemort was nonexistent in their worlds.
It wasn't like that they didn't change. Sirius was still Sirius, but he was no longer the reckless, rash teenager who refused to grow up. There was an air of aged maturity in his actions, but once in a while, he'd do something that would make Remus fling a hex his way. Whatever shadows Azkaban left on his life, he didn't show it. But with the kind of attention he paid James' son, Remus couldn't help but wonder if Harry was a sort of anchor, someone that kept him sane and tied him to reality.
To Harry, he was somebody different altogether. Remus would often marvel at the facets of temperament that Sirius exhibited. One moment, he'd be screaming at some reporter through the fireplace, and the next, calm and comforting to his godson. He indulged the child with anything possible, and was even more overprotective than the most doting parent. Every morning, the first thing he'd do when he awoke was to peek into Harry's room. Every night, he wouldn't leave the six year olds bedside until he fell asleep. Remus was beginning to wonder what'll happen if Harry ever grew up.
But for Harry, the adjustment was slow. The countless scars that laced his back was always a reminder of the events that occurred, and how much everyone suffered. The emotional scars, for a child so young, was difficult to heal. He no longer flinched at every touch, or whimpered from a raised voice, but sometimes, there was still darkness lurking behind the emerald pools.
The Dursleys had neglected the child to an extent that it made Remus wish he had done more than just broke Vernon's jaw. Anything that would have avenged Harry, anything to free him from the past.
After Harry was removed from his bandages and the bruises from his ordeals faded, old scars that had been hidden stood out with frightening intensity. A deep gash on the child's bony shoulder that was too long to be a belt or stick, a smooth ringed patch of skin on his arm that held alarming similarity to a burn from a muggle stove…
It grated Sirius' restraint beyond endurance, and Remus suspected he was quietly gnawing away his patience for revenge.
Harry lived in constant fear of having his perfect sanctuary torn away from him without a moment's notice. Harry had those nightmares frequently, and no matter how many times they tried to reassure him, he would still be haunted. After those dreams, Harry tagged behind Sirius so closely that he would have been knocked over if the older man wasn't careful. Sirius humored him in those times, and would carry the child around the house through the majority of the day.
But the child was learning, slowly reacquainting himself with the new world he was given.
Remus grinned when he recalled the time Harry snuck into Sirius' room in the middle of the night, during a thunderstorm, and crawled under the blankets. And the time he flicked a cherry at Remus for transfiguring Sirius into a stuffed dog (Harry always sided with Sirius in these matters. Remus always believed he was as attached to his godfather as Sirius was to him. But his actions were so restrained that everything Harry thought or said had to be read through his eyes. Needless to say, both he and Sirius were both becoming experts). They were small little things, but they still made him smile.
Remus wondered if this was what parenthood was like. Sirius and Remus had two whole photo albums filled with Harry's pictures within the first month. It was unfair, in a way. James and Lily should have been able to enjoy it. But he never lingered on that thought for long, with a quiet six year old and loud twenty-five year old running through the four storied, twenty-two bed roomed house.
Remus opened the front door and stepped into the grassy expanse, broken only by a few tall trees.
The sound of a small child laughing.
To see a little boy riding a dog like a strange undersized horse would make anyone start, but Remus only sighed and shook his head.
Padfoot tore through the grass with Harry in tow, gripping at the fur to keep from flying off. The child was a light burden; despite all the weight he gained since his arrival, he was still disturbingly small for his age. The dog was taking obvious care not to jostle him too much.
There were times when Remus wondered where he belonged between all this. But Sirius needed him as a friend, and through the years, he needed constant reminder of the present. Harry trusted him as someone uniquely him. Plus, Remus didn't completely like the idea of Sirius raising Harry by himself. It wasn't that he would be a poor guardian, knowing how much he loved the child, but he was still Sirius. He'd burn the house down just trying to cook.
Padfoot bounded between trees, making the child grasp his glasses before they flew, before finally disposing Harry in a heap on tall grass. He scooped up a thick, oak branch, littered with teeth marks.
Remus had to smile at the sight.
Padfoot and Harry, engaged in a biased game of tug-of-war, was amusing no matter how many times the played it. The bear-like dog had already pulled the poor boy off his feet, and was proceeding to drag him across the grass. Harry shook his head, stubbornly refusing to relinquish it.
Until Padfoot nudged him in the side with a paw.
Harry broke down in a fit of laughter, dropping in the grass. Victorious, the dog nuzzled him again, and the child hurriedly tried to roll to safety.
"No! Bad Padfoo…"
More laughter, and a hiccup this time.
Remus shook his head. Time to go to Harry's rescue.
"Padfoot, let the poor kid breathe!" Remus shouted reprovingly, running across the ankle length grass.
Padfoot shot him a resentful glare, but reluctantly released the boy. Harry scrambled to his feet, wild hair even wilder with pieces of leaves and grass, and fled to his savior.
"Moony!" Harry greeted with a timid smile, some of his shyness returning. He was only truly a child around his godfather, but Remus held the position as a honorary big brother / second godfather / friend (the word uncle had been tainted; Harry stubbornly refused to refer to anyone as uncle) of sorts in his eyes.
Remus scooped him up in a small hug, and discreetly started to extract the pieces of grass tangled in his hair. Harry was gasping for breath, trembling from exertion and weariness. He was still easily tired after a month of slow recovery, and Remus inwardly sighed, saving Sirius a rebuke later. He patted the small child's back in a mixed effort to alleviate the coughs and dust the leaves from his clothes.
"Padfoot's picking on you again?" Remus teasingly asked, glaring at the dog pointedly and speaking just loud enough for him to hear.
Padfoot barked indignantly.
"Nod, Harry," Remus whispered under his breath, when the child proved to be clueless.
Obediently, Harry nodded.
Padfoot growled. Remus triumphantly grinned.
Remus lightly smoothed out the child's hair, "Moony is so much nicer than Padfoot, right? Keep nodding, Harry. See, I don't tickle you to death and pick on you all the time. And… oh no. Harry, run. Run back in the house!"
Remus barely set Harry back on the ground before the growling, oversized, furry blob ploughed into him, knocking him off his feet.
Ten minutes later, Sirius sulked on the grass with spiky black hair, glaring at a rather smug looking Remus with a wand.
The front door cautiously cracked open, and Harry peeked out. Noting the clear coast and the oppressing silence, he tentatively stepped outside.
Harry paused when he caught sight of the two, blinking after a rather nasty shock. "Padfoot, your hair…"
Not the best thing to say, considering the temperature of Sirius' glare doubled. Remus made a grunt that sounded suspiciously like inhaled laughter, covering his mouth to muffle the sounds.
Sirius abruptly grinned, a wide, malicious, scheming grin. "They're to stab people with," Sirius cheerfully declared.
Remus instantly backed away, and taking the next closest victim, Sirius poked the five inch long spikes in Harry's direction. The six year old yelped, ran, dodged, and finally settled on latching onto his godfather's back so he'd be successfully out of range. The child was amazingly clever for his age, Remus mused, especially when it came to survival.
Whatever murderous intentions in Sirius' mind melted at that. He patted on the ground beside him, and when Harry plopped down on the grass, affectionately ruffled the child's hair (it was a sort of habit that stuck. Remus would smoothen it out, and Sirius would ruffle it up. It got to a point where people could predict who he met last. Harry never bothered to use a comb).
The ex-convict had long since lost the shadows under his eyes, and his skin was lightly tanned from all those hours under the sun. His hair was finally back in working order, smoothly cropped but no longer neat after the dash through the grass (and Remus' hex). If his blue eyes were just a shade lighter, he would look exactly like the man he was five years ago.
"Harry, think you could change my hair back?" Sirius asked, trying to tug a few spikes of hair so that they could rest flat on his head, but with no success.
It was strange, really, asking magical help from a child. But both Sirius and Remus long since learned how apt Harry was when it came to these matters. They often found him doing performing wandless transfiguration after just seeing it once, and modifying it in ways that they were sure McGonagall would even have trouble with. Remus was beginning to wonder if a trip to Ollivander's was even necessary. Harry's premonitory abilities faded with these practices in magic, but in a way, Remus was relieved. No child should ever have to deal with the burdens of a clairvoyant.
Harry squinted hard at Sirius, emerald eyes brightening with an unnatural light, and the protruding strands of hair peeled back and returned to the laws of gravity. Sirius patted it curiously, shooting a few warning glances Remus' way when he fingered his wand.
"It looks a bit messier than normal," Harry mused quietly, patting his godfather on the hair much like the way he scratched Padfoot's head. It was a habit he never really abandoned.
Sirius glowered in Remus' direction, and whispered low under his breath. "Try to turn Moony's robes orange."
Harry furrowed his brow in thought. "Orange? I've never tried it on a person's clothes before. I'm not sure I can do it right."
Remus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What was that? What is Sirius teaching you this time?"
"Necessities of life," Sirius informed him nonchalantly. He turned back to the child. "It's the same, but you have to start at his shoes."
"But wouldn't that be really mean?" Harry asked, chewing his lip.
"It's for practice," Sirius grinned schemingly. "And besides, if the wolf ever gets mad, Padfoot will be here to fend him off. Go ahead, try it."
Harry fidgeted, but under Sirius' gaze, seemed to finally relent. He nodded somewhat hesitantly, giving Remus a rather apologetic look.
The wind current shifted around the unsuspecting werewolf, the grass ruffling unnaturally around him. He startled as the patches of grass at his feet froze as if pulled taunt by invisible hands, widening into fat yellow sticks.
Sirius gaped, then snickered.
"What the hell?" Sirius choked out.
Remus picked at a yellow rod that was originally a length of grass, examining it between his fingers. "Harry, why did you change the grass into French fries?"
Harry ducked his head, face reddening as he hid behind his godfather. "Oops." At Remus' incriminating gaze, he slowly began melting towards the grass in embarrassment. "I'm a little hungry."
Sirius drew Harry in a fond, one armed hug with a large smile. "It's a pity you didn't turn Moony into a French fry."
*
The end.
The undersized burrito with too much filling *sigh* The ending left everything hanging. *groan* I was going to reedit it, but like CD, it sort of died along the way. I'm so sorry! you can sort of tell I wrote this on a bus ride, since its completely fragmented. It's a draft, so one day, I probably would come back and reedit it.
as for CoS, umm... chapter 11 is giving me some trouble. I only have 4 pages of it so far, and umm... it's not very good. chapter 11 may be a shorter chapter, around 5 - 6 pages instead of the usual 7 - 8. ack! I'm sorry! School's starting on Thursday and I still haven't finished all my summer reading *cries*
This wasn't exactly what I planned for the epilogue, it just wrote itself. I suppose it doesn't close WS well, but… urg… I'm too lazy to write another. There wasn't even going to be an epilogue, but I couldn't bring myself to end WS either. There's a second chapter to the epilogue, but that closes it all. Well… I guess you can throw scene ideas for me. If I ever get in that mood, I'll choose a few and write it out. There's still some strings that I don't think I tied well. The Dursleys who practically got away with everything. Then, there's Remus' condition to deal with. But another chapter's definitely out of the question, urg!! If someone who hit's the 500th or 1000th or 1500th (if it ever gets there) review for any of the three stories want to request a short story that has to do in this timeline or another chapter to the other stories, I'll be happy to gurgitate one. uh oh, we missed the PoM and CoS 500, didn't we? umm...
Harry is very attached to Sirius, and he's the only person Harry truly trusts. I didn't add Harry and Remus bonding to this, although it would have been a good idea. But WS' theme and plot is so compact… Humm…
I was really worried about making Remus seem like third / fifth wheel in the household, but the things I tried to establish didn't seem that strong. Lets see if I can justify myself: a). Sirius, without Remus, would be constantly musing on the past and making himself miserable. Remus is an unwavering reminder of the present and the now, and with Sirius' past experiences, would never be able to manage by himself. Harry is still too young to understand b). Sirius can't possibly cook. Living in the hotel with Harry was different, he had room service and etc., but if he actually lived with Harry by himself, he'd never be able to get anything done c). Harry needs an outside influence, someone logical and confident and constant. It shows in the sequel later.
this was suppose to be the set up leading into CoS, only... err... it wasn't posted until after CoS was underway. Umm... pretend you haven't read CoS yet!
This epilogue really fragmented, isn't it? I was trying to expand it so it covered on all the important issues, but it ended up being… well… what do you think?
in reply to your message on good intentions CatsPaw: wow, congrats! you made it to one of the best girls schools in the nation! *cheers and throws confetti* girls colleges have the best dorms; i've visited a couple over the summer. what are you majoring in? how are your classes going? I might be applying to one of the Sisters, Wellesly probably, 'cause I'm thinking about graduating early, but I'm not sure if I'll qualify! ack...
wow, MeShelly, you don't have to review every single chapter! there're tons and it's going to take a long time! Plus, I'd feel really guilty if it ran into your school work. *hides* and your views are all long too! WS is really depressing, isn't it? ack... *offers tissues*
err... I tried not to bash this ending, Kaydee, even though everytime I read it... ack, I'll stop! I was aiming for an ending like chapter 32, where you get a sense of closure, but this doesn't really give it to you. ack... *grins* the 'aren't you both old men' statement by Harry, can't you just imagine the looks on Remus and Sirius' faces? but they can't really get mad at Harry since he really didn't understand that they were joking. *sigh* as for your message on my gbook (i updated by site! how do you like the hover links?), I feel your pain about math. I'm going into calculus bc, and... ack... how's the first day of school?
*prods with a cattle rod* Lily of the Valley, are you alive?!?!? Harry's really young and... scarred. It would have been sad if CoS took place 2 weeks after WS. *shudders* I know what you mean about skipping the middle though. I did that with one of my stories, and since then, I've been in this fear. I never write any chapter ahead and skip in the middle now, but different people write differently. *grins* tWisted reality sounds interesting! what's it going to be up? ack... I hope you have new glasses now!
*takes sugar away from Allocin* err... pills? err... *takes those away too* eh? you fainted? what happened? fatigue? exhaustion? fainting sucks! although people usually don't faint for more than 5 minutes, despite what the movies show. humm... I'm going off topic. *nod nod* disclaimers are getting really overblown, but at the same time necessary. It's sort of sad...
I think I should have waited on CoS until after WS was completely finished, Jade S, 'cause no one's reading WS anymore! although, I can see why. *sighs* The only reason I'm posting for WS is because I'm trying to drag attention away from CoS, where I am suffering a minor blockage. *sighs again*
thank you so much, Moonlight! I'm glad you liked Harry's naivete. *grins* the change of mood did seem to change everything around, Essence of Magic. I hope it didn't seem sudden or anything.
here's epilogue two, kayla, I hope you enjoy it! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, depth, and I hope the sequel is just as great! *grins* spiffling is a good word Bookworm2000! It sounds like... like Shadow's 'chipper' for some reason. err... I'll shut up now.
you're not old, Kit Cloudkicker! 24 is the perfect age to live and ooze energy! But of course, Harry being six, he really believed what Remus was saying about Sirius. this Happy Remus seems weird, doesn't it, wellduh...? especially after the homicidal Remus in CoS. uh oh, umm... *hides from Peacockgirl* CoS is giving me lots of trouble!