Sirius POV

"Father…"

The man standing before me freezes while tightening his grip on the door frame as he scans me up and down. His coloring becomes pale and a look of shock and anguish crosses his face when our eyes finally meet.

I stand still, the letter crumpling tighter in my hand while anxiety pours over me in the awkward staring contest I'm having with my estranged father. After a few more moments of painful silence, my father clears his throat and finally speaks.

"Sir… Sirius… Is that really you?," the man sheepishly asks in a husky tone.

My mind is stirring still from the letter in my hand and words aren't able to form, so I just quickly nod my head in confirmation. Orion takes a deep breath in a seemingly nervous manner and gestures for me to come inside. Orion's back turns to walk inside the house and I take a moment to gather myself.

Do I really want to do this? What if this is some fucked up trap? How am I going to believe anything he says?

I finally snap out of it, knowing I'm not going to get the answers I need standing outside and hesitantly walk through the front door of the home I swore I would never enter again.

The foreboding feel of darkness and depression wash over me once I cross the threshold. Like a jolt of lightening, I'm hit with rapidly flashing memories of my childhood in this home.

"You ungrateful swine! Disgrace…"
"How dare you consort with the likes of those…" *Hit*
"I will lock you in a cage until you come of age… Don't test me…" *Curse*
"Mudbloods, disgusting humans…"
"You WILL not embarrass our house any further…" *Smack*
"Join or die, Sirius…" *Hex*"
"Siri… Please don't go…"
"Reggie… Come with me, please."
"You're nothing but a filthy bloodtraitor…"

My body quakes with the pulsing memories, and I'm paralyzed in my stance in the entry way. My father turns at the end of the hallway, realizing I'm not following behind me and a look of pain comes over his face, understanding what I'm internally going through in this moment.

"Sirius… I… Would it be easier to speak outside? I… I didn't expect you to show up here, and I can understand how troubling this must be…" Orion shakily gets out.

I take a deep breath again and shake my head no.

You can do this… Don't let her win… She's long gone… Where she deserves to be…

I snap my head up in determination, "No, Father. It's ok. I just needed a minute." I manage to say with only the slightest tremor in my voice. I make my way down the hallway, trying my best to look straight ahead to avoid triggering more memories.

I follow my father into the family library, the only place in this horrible farce of a home I actually am fond of. My body stops shaking in relief as soon as I enter and make my way directly to the credenza to pour myself a drink.

Orion settles into a large velvet winged back chair in the corner, and let's out the tiniest laugh, "Mind pouring one for me as well?".

I think that's the first time I've ever heard my father even hint at laughter…

I nod without turning to face him and grab another crystal glass and finish pouring the hundred year aged Firewhisky. Before turning, I quickly toss back the first glass, the alcohol barely even gracing my taste buds before I refill it and turn to walk towards my father.

Bound and determined to pull myself together, I confidently walk towards my father and pass him the drink, and turn to stride over to sit in the chair opposite of him, nearest to the door.

I gently sit down with the grace I was trained to have since the day I could walk, but lean back in a very "un-Pureblood" manner and kick up my feet on the coffee table in front of me.

Taking a sip of the Firewhisky in my hand, I turn to look at my father.

"So, the letter," is all I say, wanting to see how my father is going to go about this conversation.

My father ruffles uncomfortably in his seat, clearly still shaken by my unexpected arrival, "I'll be honest, Sirius. It was quite a shock seeing you at the doorstep. It was not my intention, nor did I ever think, my letter would bring you here. What is it you're hoping to discuss?"

I scoff at his question, "Really? You weren't expecting ME of all people to impulsively show up after receiving a letter from YOU, someone so notoriously frigid who kicked me out of this very home, and not have questions? Not want answers? Bullshit." I snap at him in annoyance.

My father jerks his head the slightest bit, almost as if he was slapped by the bite in my tone.

"That's fair. I'll admit, I had hope that one day in the future you'd look back on the letter and be open to having a conversation, but I honestly was not expecting it to happen so soon. No matter how long overdue this conversation is," he explains now making eye contact with me.

He adjusts again in his seat, "I know you want answers, and I promise to truthfully answer any question you have. Writing that letter was the hardest task I've had to do in my entire life. I need you to know that every word I wrote was the truth."

I take a moment after hearing his opening to examine my father. It's been years since I've even laid eyes on him, and his features have changed since then. The bags under his eyes are much more prominent, his skin wrinkled heavily in new areas, and he seems thinner than I remember.

He looks… tired.

I tilt my head to the side, still meeting his eyes, "So you're sorry then? That's it?" I ask him calmly.

Orion takes a deep breath, "To start, yes. I am truly sorry. I've had quite a bit of time to myself with your mother gone to sit and think. It's all I seem to do these days actually.

When your mother and I were growing up, the time period was much different than it is now, especially in a family such as ours. You were taught to uphold the ideals and traditions of your family and their circle, and there was no room to question it and hardly anyone ever did.

Muggleborns were such a rarity in school and in the workforce, it was easy to single them out for being different… for being a threat. It's the unknown that has always terrified Purebloods, and terror brings along irrationality. Over the years, the Muggleborn population continued to steadily grow and the fear among our circle increased to a catatonic level.

Our family has been around for centuries, who was I to question such a long-standing lineage? Clearly how the families of the Sacred Twenty Eight carried themselves and functioned continued to thrive, so why think any differently? It's how I was raised."

He leans back in his chair and takes a sip of his drink and begins to massage his eyes.

"Before I know it, my niece runs off with a Muggleborn wizard and the first implosion in generations happened within the Black family. I remember how I felt at the time… so disgusted, so betrayed, so embarrassed for our family… but Andromeda was always so good, kind, and intelligent… I couldn't bring myself to truly write her out of my heart.

Then a smooth talking, powerful wizard comes along and capitalizes on the Purebloods' fear of our changing society. Your mother… Merlin, your mother loved every vile word that left that horrible man's mouth. I'll be honest, for a time I admired him. His promises of protecting our society, the need to call for action, the need to preserve what is ours.

And then you… my son, my heir… start growing up and questioning everything about those very beliefs. So talented, so intelligent, so full of life and then you went off to Hogwarts and seemingly broke away from our family's grasp, so repulsed by our beliefs and then before I could blink… you were gone. I wanted to feel those horrible emotions I had of Andromeda… but I couldn't. You're my son… I just couldn't.

And finally Regulus… it was the moment that your brother took the Dark Mark that I started to really question everything. For the first time in my life, I asked myself the questions that I wasn't sure I wanted answers to. Hearing the stories from our friends whom were among him and what they were tasked to do. Seeing the anguish and terror on your brother's face when he would come home from meetings and raids. It slowly chipped away at me, and then when we were notified of his death… it broke me."

I sit in silence listening to my father, hearing the subtle quiver in his voice, seeing the torment in his eyes.

This is the most emotion I've ever seen from him… let alone the longest he's ever spoken to me…

He adjusts himself again, clearly uncomfortable with how open he's being, "How was it all worth it? To lose both of my sons to this… cause… nothing would ever be worth that. But I was too late, and that will forever be my biggest regret. Losing the two of you.

I distanced myself from your mother after Regulus's death. I couldn't bare to look at her, I could barely look at myself… There were only two people to blame. Your mother for happily throwing him at Voldemort's feet, and me for never stopping her. Even worse was the realization that I had lost not one but two sons due to my inability to evolve.

I want to put the full blame on your mother, I really do, but while I may have not been as horrible verbally and physically, I was just as much at fault as her. I never was a father to you or your brother… I was a cold, cruel Dictator, just as my father was to me and his father to him. It's no excuse, but it's all I've ever known.

There's so much of my life I wish I could take back and do over, especially when it came to raising you and your brother. We were horrific, unloving, and closed minded and I thank the gods every day that you've grown into a terrific and honorable man."

The glass in my hand stills when he finishes.

His words… words I've been dying to hear my whole life from him… sound genuine. But I can't push past that right now, he's never shown an ounce of change in him. I don't think I can trust his words… I need more.

I raise out of the chair silently, and make my way over to the first of hundreds of bookshelves. My hand lightly tracing over the spines of the books, and I look up before speaking out.

"I've always loved it in here. It's the one place that wasn't tainted by the fucked up upbringing you and mother imposed on us. My wife would love it even more," I whisper with affection on my face.

My father is still seated in his chair, my back facing towards him. I pluck out a book and turn back around standing to face him and look up.

"My Muggleborn wife, father."

I closely watch my father's reaction to pointing out so blatantly that I've married a Muggleborn.

His features hardly change, and then ever-so-subtly his mouth slightly curves up into a genuine smile.

"Any witch who has an appreciate of literature is alright in my book," he responds affectionately.

I continue to stare at him, waiting for the disgust or a snarl to cross his face… and it never come.

"So, you're fine then that I've married a Muggleborn? Sullied the line and all that bullshit?" I quip at him.

My father takes a deep sigh, "Sirius, I know what you're trying to do. I meant what I said. I'll never be perfect, I'm still learning. But if she loves you the way you deserve, then that is more than enough for me. I'd like to meet her in the future, if that is alright with you? I have to say, from everything I've read, she sounds like an incredible witch."

I chuckle out at the thought of my incredible wife, "She really is. She's the best person I've ever known. So intelligent, so caring, so fiercely loyal and god damn loving… I didn't even stand a chance. She had me hooked from the day I met her."

I turn and head back to my seat, placing the book on the coffee table. "This is a lot of information to process, Orion. I'll need some time. As for Hermione, I will not speak or make decisions for her. If she chooses to meet with you, that is her decision alone, I will not influence that in any way," I say to him with finality.

He nods his head, "I understand. I know nothing I do or say with ever make up for years of abuse and abandonment, all I ask for is the chance to try and start anew."

"As I said, I'll think on it. I do appreciate you being so forthcoming today, it was entirely unexpected," I admit to him truthfully.

"May I ask a question? You're welcome to not answer if you aren't comfortable," he asks nervously.

I nod my head, worried what it'll be.

"Do you know if you're having a boy or girl?"

I take a deep breath, trying to decide whether or not I want him to even know that much about our lives. After weighing the odds, I make a decision.

"A girl," I tell him with a large smile on my face thinking about our beautiful daughter.

"A girl… That's incredible," Orion whispers as a rare smile creeps over his face.

Hermione POV

"Sirius? My love! Are you home?" I call out out as I exit the floo in the entrance hall of our home on my way back from visiting with Narcissa and Andromeda.

With no response, I quickly call Lolly into the foyer. She apparates in within moments with a squeak, "Missus! Master iz not here… A letter camez for him earlier and hez took off quick."

I pause as I shrug off my robes, "A letter? Who from Lolly?" I ask her quizzically.

Lolly is trying to grab my robes, but I clench on tight, still not comfortable with our house elf waiting on our every hand and foot. She growls, making me squeak out and release my grasp. Lolly smirks at me in her, I win, face before proceeding.

"Lolly isn't sure, Missus. Master was outz in the garden when the owl came. Noz worries though, Lolly thinks he's returnz shortly," she explains before a loud pop fills the air and she's gone.

Hmph… strange. Oh well, she's probably right.

I walk down the hallway to my personal study. The past few weeks have been much quieter at the Ministry with all of the Death Eaters behind bars, but my side projects have only increased in work load.

Entering my study, I take a deep inhale through my nose. The intoxicating smell of parchment and leather flood my sense, instantly calming me. Sirius and Narcissa did a spectacular job creating this space for me. The floor-to-ceiling book shelves scour the room, the warmth of the fireplace instantly makes me feel comfortable, and the personal touches of wizarding photos scattered throughout ties everything together… It's mine. A space of my own.

I take a seat behind my grandiose desk and quickly Accio my notes and parchment to pick up where I left off a few days prior. My main focus over these few months is unraveling and drafting new legislation in regards to magical creatures and beings, heavily focusing on werewolves.

The research I've gathered is utterly appalling. It's as if no member of the Wizenagamot has ever taken a History of Magic course… Remember the Goblin Revolt a few hundred years ago? Yeah… that went over well.

The legislation that has been passed, no doubt with influence from the former Dark Lord, has restrictions on near every sentient being. Werewolves, Goblins, Centaurs, Merpeople, Elves… and so many more. Werewolves in particular, since they are so hard to identify outside of one day a month, have the heaviest restrictions.

Werewolves are classified as XXXXX creatures.

- All werewolves must be registered with the Ministry of Magic within 48 hours of their first transformation.
- For the safety and security of the Wizarding public, werewolves are not allowed access to enter the Ministry or St Mungos. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is left up to the discretion of the current Headmaster.
- If a werewolf attacks another wizard, they wave their rights to a trial and will be immediately sentenced to Azkaban. The time served in Azkaban will be determined by the Wizengamot by evaluation of the severity of the attack.

And these are just the most severe implications. My heart breaks a little more each time I dive through my copies of the legislation for Remus. Kind, brilliant, gentle Remus. A man who was turned as a boy, and does nothing but put others first.

I wipe away the falling singular tear that had gathered in the corner of my eye, and I pick back up on my proposals.

I've met with Minister Bagnold multiple times over the last few weeks over this new legislation. Intense debates were always had, but we were moving positively in the right direction each time I left. As soon as I would leave her office, I'd hear that shrill scoff and daggers glaring at my back when I would pass her secretary, Dolores Umbridge's desk.

"Oh! I hope you have a wonderful day, Dolores. I just had the most thrilling meeting with the Minister. Things are truly looking up aren't they?!" I'd say with the best Narcissa voice I could conjure, and watch her face turn blood red and she'd start shaking.

Nothing made my heart soar more than hearing that bitch irritated… I still need to deal with her. She's nothing but a power striving arse kisser, but Moody is insistent I keep an eye out on her.

"Black! I'm telling you, watch out for her. She's played the game long enough, and there's been rumblings she's digging around about you. Constant vigilance!" Moody barks at me.

I roll my eyes at the memory of Moody scolding me in his office a week or so ago.

As if I'd let that bitch get a leg over me…

Hours pass as I begin to polish the remainder of my new legislation draft, finally ready to bring to the Minister for an overview before taking it to the Wizengamot for a vote.

I sigh in relief once I dot the final letter and sag back into the chair, gently stroking my very pregnant stomach. I close my eyes to rest them for a moment, when the sound of glass shattering startles me.

My heart is pounding at the continuous sound of glass breaking. I instantly grab my wand and steathily make my way into the hallway. I creep my way silently down the hall, and move towards the opening of the foyer and peer around the corner.

My heart drops when I look at the scene around me. Broken glass is littered all of the floor, sparkling in the setting sun like diamonds, feathers floating down to the floor from exploded throw pillows, and Sirius standing with his back toward me. His head is tilted down in defeat and he's breathing heavily.

Oh, my love… What happened to you?

Gathering my wits, I lower my wand to my side and step through into the foyer.

"Sirius? My love… What's the matter?" I whisper out to him lovingly mixed with a hint of concern for my husband.

He whips his head around at the sound of my voice. His eyes are puffy and red as if he's been crying, but when I look into them I see confusion and shame written all across them.

"I… I didn't know you were home," he admits shakily, running his fingers through his hair nervously. My heart aches seeing him so shattered, I quickly walk across the empty space between us and throw my arms around him.

He settles into my embrace and lowers his head onto my shoulder. "I'm so sorry, love. I didn't mean to scare you. I just… I just needed to let my frustration out. I never meant you to see this," he whispers into my neck.

I move my arms up his back, caressing as I go, and then move one hand to entangle in his hair. I gently run my fingers through his hair, until I feel his heart rate settle a bit. I make a movement to pull out of his embrace to move us to the couch, but he tightens his hold.

I move my head to nuzzle against his cheek, "You never have to hide from me, my love. Never. Would you like to talk about it?" He takes a few deep breaths, and after a few moments he nods his head against mine and moves us backwards toward the couch.

He sits down first and wraps his arms around me as I curl up into his lap. His hands running through my curls as he drops his chin on my head. It takes a few moments for him to gather his thoughts, before taking another deep breath.

"I received a letter from my father today," he tells me shakily. My head snaps up, not expecting his father to be the sender of the letter Lolly mentioned earlier. My eyes grow wide as I look at Sirius, and he just nods in confirmation without me even having to ask the question.

He rummages through his pockets and pulls out the crumpled letter and hands it to me silently to read. I pour of the information, gasping in certain areas, furrowing my brows in others, and then taking a deep, frustrated breath.

Anger is flowing through my veins, my emotions already unstable enough without being hormonal.

"That man has the AUDACITY to write you this after everything he and that disgusting woman put you through?!" I roar out in anger for the years and years of mistreatment of the love of my life.

Sirius chuckles at my ferocious reaction, squeezing me a bit. "I had the same reaction, Kitten. So naturally, me being me, I impulsively apparated over there and confronted him," he admits sheepishly.

I jump out of his lap, and throw my hands over my mouth in shock. "You… You went to Grimmauld?" I ask, hardly believing he'd ever step a foot back into his childhood home, especially while his parents are alive.

He moves forward to grab my hand and pull me back into his lap. "Yes, love. I did. Now, no more leaving my lap until the story is over alright?" He purrs into my hair.

Chills run down my spine, I give him a glare and he smirks because he knows exactly what him speaking like that does to me. "Fine. Do I need to arrest my partner for murder? Or did you have enough time to stash the body?" I ask him sarcastically while rolling my eyes.

He barks out a laugh, "No need, Kitten. I left my father in one piece, but I can't deny the thought hadn't crossed my mind once or twice." He chuckles a bit more at watching my reactions, "But, we did sit down and had a nice long father-son conversation. It went… much better than I thought, I just have a lot to think through."

Sirius dives in about the conversation with his father. We sit for awhile, me curled in his lap, while I listen to his recollection of the meeting and his conflicting feelings about everything.

"He… he wants to meet you. I told him that I would not speak for you, and that the decision is yours alone," He mentions towards the end. My emotions are all over the place listening to him speak.

I flip between sadness, curiosity, and anger at the drop of the hat, and I have no idea whether I want to meet the bastard of a man or not.

I twirl my hands around in discomfort, "I honestly don't know if I want to meet him, Sirius. On one hand he's your father… and he does sound remorseful, but I don't know if I could ever forgive him for how he allowed you to be treated."

Sirius leans in and places a kiss on my forehead, rubbing my protruding stomach in a loving manner, "Take some time, my love. I meant what I said to him, the decision is yours alone. I have no idea if I even want to see him again, let alone bring you along with me."

I turn my face up and gaze into my husband's eyes. So startling grey and full of pure love, I've known since the day I met him that I would do anything and everything for him. I lean forward and place a gentle kiss to his lips.

"If you decide you want to see him again, I'll be there with you."

He returns the kiss with that intoxicating heat that I can't get enough of. Our tongues move in such a sweet rhythm, I could do this, and only this, for the rest of my life and be completely content.

Finally breaking a part, he chuckles and runs his hands through my hair, "How do you feel about taking on a fancy new Wizengamot seat?"

The weeks pass by quickly. On top of the new legislation on Werewolf rights that I drafted being given a enthusiastic stamp of approval by the Minister, I also had been sworn in and begun serving on the Wizengamot under the Black familial seat alongside Narcissa in the Malfoy familial seat.

Rome wasn't built in a day, but that sure as hell didn't slow the two of us down. We've been pushing through legislation left and right, some quickly passed and were implemented, but others, like the Werewolf legislation, were slow moving due to the sheer amount of research, debates, and personal agendas of the other Wizengamot members.

Sirius was growing bored at not being out in the field, but he surprisingly was a wonderful addition to my legislative team. Helping me research and bounce ideas, albeit providing many delicious distractions, which made the process that much more enticing.

"Good morning, my love," Sirius whispers to me, curled up into my back. I yawn and turn over, finding his lips immediately.

"Morning, love," I whisper between kisses.

He presses into me and I already feel his hard erection, ready to pounce at any moment. "Ugh, do we have to go to work? I just want to stay in bed all day and shag your sweet little body," he whines out a bit too seriously.

I chuckle into his lips, "You'd make a very pretty sex slave, my love, but I don't think Moody would let us off that easily."

After a very slow, passionate love making and then a quick shower, we were off to the Auror department. Sitting at our desks in the Bullpen, Sirius making paper airplanes and throwing them across the room in boredom, an owl swoops in and drops a note on my desk.

"Black. Meet me in the DOM. Urgent. - Moody"

I shove the note in my pocket, and lean over to press a kiss on Sirius's forehead quickly.

"Gotta go, love. Moody needs me. I'll be back soon," I tell my husband while quickly gathering my gear and heading out.

I enter the lifts and make my way down, wondering what on earth Moody could need me for in the Department of Mysteries.

Hmm… Maybe it has to do with my time travel?

I exit the lifts and walk down the silent hallway.

It never stops being eerie coming down here…

I reach the end of the hallway, where the entrance to the DOM is, and quickly open the door. All of the lights are off in the entranceway, and I call out quietly for Moody.

Not hearing a response, I grab my wand and move a bit further into the room, when I hear a shuffle of feet behind me. I spin around, but before I can turn all the way a heavy object collides with my head and everything goes black.