Harry closed the door to number four Privet Drive and pushed his hands deeply into his pockets. The sunlight danced on the strands of his unruly hair and he could feel the warmth creeping deep inside him. Uncle Vernon had left for work early this morning and Dudley had still been in bed the last time Harry looked. Today was a special day. It wasn't often that he allowed himself to feel this happy about the last day of July, in fact it wasn't often that he felt happy on this day of all the year but today... well, it was special and for once Harry was going to enjoy it.
He crossed the road and waved jovially to Mrs Buxton of number nine. She returned it with a curt nod of her head. Harry playfully smiled to himself; he really didn't care what they thought of him. The only people he did care about had already made their feelings known.
Harry turned the corner onto Magnolia crescent and a smile spread wide across his face when he saw the unkempt hedges that bordered the garden of Mrs Figg's house. Sunlight glinted against his glasses and he pushed opened the gate and let himself in through the large black front door with peeling paint. Inside the usual smell had been replaced by something altogether more pleasant. Harry was sure he could hear noises coming from the large kitchen of The Willow.
"Hello," Harry called but he received no response. He walked a little further down the hallway. Mrs Figg had insisted that he made himself at home but Harry had never really been sure what that meant, he never had a home unless you counted Hogwarts and even then you had to keep an eye out for Filch or Mrs Norris.
"Mrs Figg?" he called again. Tufty appeared from the living room and rubbed her body against Harry's leg. The teenager ran a hand down her back and she purred appreciatively at the attention she received. He wondered what Mrs Figg was doing that she was ignoring the advances of her precious cats. He walked towards the kitchen and pushed open the door.
A flurry of flour and sugar mixed in the air and it was difficult for Harry to tell what was really going on through the haze. He coughed as the flour got into his mouth and down his throat.
"Oh God," Mrs Figg jumped at the noise. "Harry is that you already?"
"Umm Yeah," Harry answered. "Sorry I made you jump."
"Don't worry about that dear," she rubbed the flour from her hands into the apron around her waist. "but you're here and I haven't even wrapped your present." She said slightly annoyed with herself.
Harry blushed at this. He wasn't expecting a present from Mrs Figg.
"Umm that's ok; I mean you don't have to." Harry fumbled. "The party is more then enough." Harry felt himself blush more as Mrs Figg's eyes fell on him and he wished the air was still cloudy with flour.
"I won't have a young man reach the grand old age of fifteen without celebrating it properly," Mrs Figg beamed. "but first you have to help me finish up here." Mrs Figg turned to look at the already bowing table of food and confections on display. Harry was instantly reminded of the dinner table at the Burrow. "Now I've got Pumpkin Juice cooling in the ice box and Butter Beer in the pantry. Sherbet Swirls, Honey Dogs......" Mrs Figg counted them all out on her fingers and started again when she ran out of hands.
"I think that's everything," she finished with a quick look at whatever new delicacy was bubbling away in the cauldron. "I've got to make sure everything is ready for people to come through the fireplace in the living room." She reminded herself nearly leaving the room before realising Harry was still there, looking a little amazed at all the food. "Well I guess there is not much for you to do after all." She said slightly stumped.
She took off her apron and after wiping her hands on it again banished it to the pantry, with a look that said 'out of sight, out of mind.'
"I tell you what," she said a little glint in her eye. "You go into the bedroom at the top of the stairs and you'll get a little surprise. He's very tired as he was travelling all yesterday but I'm sure he'd love to see you."
Mrs Figg gave Harry a playful nod before disappearing into the living room.
Harry took the stairs to the upper floor and slowly pushed the bedroom door open. The curtains were closed but a sliver of light fell through the slightest crack in the folds. In the darkness he could make out a large wooden bed which seemed to dwarf the figure asleep on it. Their robes were ragged and well worn and it was obvious that they hadn't bothered to take their shoes off before falling asleep.
Harry's eyes fell on the mass of hair which spread itself across the pillows. It was black as night and still matted although it must have been washed many times in the last month or so. He watched the steady rise and fall of the body as it rested on the bed and didn't think he should disturb him just yet.
Harry began to slowly pull the door back towards him, being careful not to make any noise. He had almost achieved his goal when the hinge let out a piercing groan. Harry stopped. Damn, he though. He listened for any movement inside the room and when he heard nothing began to slowly move down the corridor.
"Harry?" a voice questioned hoarsely from the room. "Is that you?"
Harry gave up the silence and walked back to the door. Pushing it open again he saw his godfather sitting up slightly in bed.
"Yeah, I didn't want to wake you." Harry said, feeling a bit foolish. "Mrs Figg said you were travelling all yesterday."
"Yeah but I wanted to see you as soon as you got here," a smile spread across Sirius face.
"You couldn't travel by Floo?" Harry asked.
"The Department of Magical Transportation have that all monitored..."
"You didn't have to come all this way just to see me!" Harry said feeling worried that Sirius would get caught just because of him.
Sirius raised his head and looked into Harry's eyes. There was something in them that told Harry he would have travelled half-way around the world if Harry needed him. Of course he'd come! Harry told himself. Hadn't he risked everything last year to come back to England and now... Harry wasn't sure how he felt about it, his head told him that he should be happy but there was something holding that back, a fear that Sirius would always be on the run. That their time together would always be in hushed silences and safe houses.
"I could have tried my luck," Sirius finally said. "but I could drag Professor Figg or Remus into trouble," he smiled. "That is more then they are already."
Sirius threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat up properly. His stretched his arms up and worked the sleep out of his muscles. Harry watched him, not really sure what to say. He wanted to ask him questions. He wanted to know what he had been doing but at the same time he really didn't know what was appropriate.
"How is Professor Lupin?" he asked finally, watching Sirius as he turned his eyes to meet Harry's. He really wanted to know how Sirius was.
"He's good," Sirius answered. "Full moon's not for another two weeks so he's pretty well relaxed." Sirius explained. Harry had started to look up on the phases of the moon since Sirius last visited. He figured if they were going to be living together he should at least know something.
"That's the Sturgeon moon, isn't it?" Harry said, wanting to show Sirius he understood. A pleased smile spread across Sirius face as he realised what Harry said.
"Yeah, that's right." Sirius looked at him for a moment and Harry started to feel a little embarrassed. "He'll be here soon, he said he was gonna apparate."
"That's good." Harry exclaimed trying to break the air with his voice. He could see that Sirius was still tired but was sure that there was no way to make him sleep any longer. "You should see everything Mrs Figg has made, it's like Honeydukes in the kitchen." Harry said in a lighter tone.
"She likes to show off," Sirius teased the absent women. "She pretends it's not true but let me tell you, any chance for a big cook-up and she'll take it." Sirius smiled and Harry joined the joke.
A loud snarl was heard from downstairs and Harry turned his head towards the staircase. A heavy thud came next and he could hear a rather familiar voice of a redheaded boy curse one of the cats before another calmer one berated him for the language. Sirius gave a short laugh behind Harry.
"I think some of your guests have arrived," he said with a huge grin spreading across his face.
***
"Hey Harry, CATCH."
Harry turned to see a Weasley's Wondrous Whole Drenching Water Balloon heading directly for his head. He managed to duck out of its path just in time but missed what happened next. When he raised his head again Hermione was standing in front of him completely soaked from head to toe, the Honey Dog she was about to eat was now sodden and dripping onto the grass. The cold of the water was making her gasp and from behind him, Harry heard fits of laughter.
"Ronald Weasley!" Hermione exclaimed, her hair plastered against her head. "I suppose you think that was funny?"
Ron really couldn't answer. He was curled up on the ground and tears were streaming down his delighted face. Hermione took this to mean that he did indeed think it was funny.
"Well," she said, putting the Honey Dog onto the table. "Two can play at that game." Hermione walked over to the stash of Water Balloons that Fred and George had sent along to Harry for his birthday and plucked one from the top of the pile. Ron who was finally getting his composure back realised what she was doing and tried to scramble to his feet to defend himself. It was too late! With a precise aim Hermione pitched the balloon at Ron and it smashed into his chest with exact precision. The boy convulsed as waves of freezing cold water washed over his whole body, soaking him to his skin.
Harry tried to take the surprised look of his face but he had never expected that from Hermione. She primly wiped her hands together, suppressing a small grin.
"That should teach you a lesson," she grinned. "Now I'm going to go and dry off." She turned towards the door but paused and turned her head to Ron. "That is unless you want another soaking."
Ron shook his head with a half scared expression. Hermione nodded 'good' then walked into The Willow.
Harry looked Ron over from head to toe then let out a yelping laugh.
"Bet you didn't expect that," he said laughing.
Ron shook his head and water particles flew from his hair to all around.
"Crazy that one," Ron explained more worried that Hermione had drenched him then how cold he was. "I knew it was a bad idea when Fred and George took to making them."
"Aren't you going to change?" Harry asked as Ron picked up a Butter Beer from the table.
"Naw, this'll warm me up and I'll dry off quick enough in the sun." Harry gulped down a large mouthful of the drink and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his damp top. "Figg isn't so bad is she? Bill had her for Defence Against The Dark Arts for a couple of years, said she was a bit weird but pretty cool all the same."
Harry agreed, thinking that he probably would have gone mad this summer if he hadn't have been able to escape to The Willow most days. At the top of the garden Mr and Mrs Weasley was talking to Mrs Figg. Mr Weasley had gotten very excited when he noticed the television in the living room and was talking animatedly to Mrs Figg about a show he seen once called 'Postman Pat' about the life of an ordinary Muggle postman and his cat. Harry was sure Molly Weasley had not seen what had just happened or her son would not be standing drinking his Butter beer.
When Mrs Weasley arrived she was a little on edge by the presence of Sirius but Ron had managed to snap her out of it with an exasperated 'Mum! Stop it, it's OK.'
"So d'you think Dumbledore'll let you come and stay with us?" Ron asked, his voice hopeful. "I know Mums been talking to him."
"Maybe," Harry said, wanting to believe it was possible but in his heart he knew it would probably never happen.
Harry saw Hermione come back out of the house, she was dry now and Harry though that Professor Lupin must have performed a drying spell on her. She walked over to Mrs Figg and they spoke a moment before Mrs Figg looked over at the two boys.
"Harry, Ron." She called. "Time for cake!"
Harry felt himself blush yet again as Ron punched him gently in the shoulder and dragged him towards the kitchen.
"Come on birthday boy," Ron teased and Harry thought his friend was enjoying this a little too much.
***
Hermione gave Harry one last hug.
"I'll see you," she said. "Diagon Alley, last Saturday before term starts." Harry knew she was making sure in her way that he would be there.
"Yes Hermione," he repeated for the seventh time. "Saturday before term. Mrs Figg said she'd come with me."
"Okay then, I better go." she said, calling into the fire before turning back again. "Happy Birthday Harry." She kissed him on the cheek. Harry could see Ron raise his eyebrows at the action, then she was gone.
"Now come on Ron, you next." Mrs Weasley told her son. Mr. Weasley had been called away earlier on Ministry business and Harry had felt how uneasy everyone was when he left even though he had tried to reassure them that it was nothing serious.
"Yes Mum." Ron turned to Harry to say goodbye and Harry could feel himself getting a little nervous. They had never been comfortable with these goodbyes or even with any show of affection between them.
"Well I guess I'll see you in Diagon Alley!" Ron said finally.
"Yeah," Harry answered. "Thanks for coming."
"That's okay," Ron said. "I wouldn't pass up on Mrs Figg's cooking would you?" Ron grinned before pulling back his cloak to reveal a small stash of confection under there. Ron hid them again quickly as his mother came back into the room.
"Goodbye, Harry." Mrs Weasley said, pulling Harry into a big hug. "You take care of yourself ok, and just owl me if you need anything." She finally let him go.
"I will." Harry promised and he could see a tear glisten in her eye before they both disappeared into the fireplace.
Harry let out a contented sigh and dropped into the green leather couch. Today he had his first birthday party. Then a thought struck him. Maybe it had been his second! Surely his parents had done something when he turned one. If not a party then he might have had a cake.
His stomach groaned at the word. He really had stuffed himself today he thought. He looked over at the table in the corner that held his birthday presents. Hermione had gotten him a book which chronicled goblin rebellions through the ages called 'Revolting Revolutions.' He had smiled when he opened it and thanked her before seeing a glint of a grin in Ron's eyes. Mrs Weasley knitted him a new jumper and made a parcel of extra double chocolate chip buns. Ron got him 'He Flew Like a Madman' a biography of 'Dangerous' Dai Llewellyn by Kennilworthy Whisp. ('He doesn't play for the Cannons but still...' Ron had added.) Mrs Figg had given him a set of Gobstones. The stones spit disgusting liquid at you when you lose and they had all played a few games before it became obvious that Sirius couldn't handle being spat at anymore.
Harry heard movement from the kitchen and realised that the others were still cleaning up. He lifted himself up off the sofa and made his way to the back of the house.
In the kitchen Mrs Figg was scrubbing down the oak table while Sirius washed the dishes and handed them to Professor Lupin to dry. Harry looked at them for a moment without them noticing he was there. He watched how Sirius and Professor Lupin acted with each other. Were they acting like... boyfriends? There seemed to be a tension between them. Harry had noticed it during the day. It wasn't too obvious but they seemed to be just holding onto the friendship. Was it just for show or had they been fighting? Harry didn't know exactly how to ask, or even if he wanted to know the answer. He really didn't know how to deal with it all. He wanted Sirius to be happy; he knew that, he just wasn't sure how he himself would react to having two fathers in a way. It's better then having none, he supposed.
"Can I help?" he asked Mrs Figg finally.
"No dear," She answered. "One of the privileges of being your birthday... NO housework!" Harry smiled. She always was so nice to him.
"Tell you what Harry," Professor Lupin injected. "Why don't you and Sirius have a game of Gobstones." A half smile spread across his face as Sirius shot him a fierce look and Mrs Figg let out a small laugh.
"Very Funny!" Sirius said, his face pained. "It took me at least an hour to get that stuff out of my hair." Mrs Figg hand flew to her mouth as she tried to suppress a laugh.
"I'm just popping to the bathroom," she said quickly before dashing for the door. Harry could here her laugh all the way down the corridor.
Sirius watched her go and his face fell into an easy smile.
"You'll pay for that Remus Lupin."
Professor Lupin shrugged cheerily and threw the dishcloth onto the counter.
"I'm going to check the garden for more dishes, okay." He told Sirius, who nodded back. Professor Lupin headed out the back door and Harry sat into a chair by the table. Sirius dried his hands quickly and sat down.
"Did you have a nice day?" He asked.
"Brilliant!" Harry answered honestly, then he remembered what he was thinking earlier. "Sirius... is everything okay?"
"How do you mean?" Sirius asked, slightly confused.
"It's just you seem a bit... I dunno, stressed out or something." That wasn't what Harry had meant but he wasn't sure if Sirius realised that.
"I'm just tired Harry, that's all." Sirius answered but even Harry knew this was not the whole truth. After what happened last year he had taught himself to listen more carefully. Not to what people said but how they said it. He knew Sirius wasn't lying deliberately; he was just trying to protect Harry, as he had always done.
"Are you staying tonight?" Harry asked.
"Yeah, it's a bit late to go now so I'll set off at first light in the morning." Sirius ran his hand through his own hair only to pull it away again with a slight grimace. He apparently hadn't gotten all the gob out of his hair.
"Is Professor Lupin staying as well?" He asked. Harry knew this was a bold question, more pointed then anything they had said to each other before but he guessed it would be another privilege of it being his birthday.
"He's apparating back tonight," Sirius explained. "Dumbledore asked him to – well – he has some work to do!" Sirius rubbed his hand along the length of his robe trying to get rid of the stickiness but it didn't seem to work. Finally he gave up and looked up to meet Harry's eyes. "Y'know I think you can call him Remus if you want." Sirius offered. "He's not teaching you any more."
"You don't call Mrs Figg, Arabella!" Harry countered straight away, slightly shocking himself by his brashness.
Sirius smiled at the statement.
"Well you've got me there, Potter!" He took a moment to think. "I tell you what, if you like your present, I'll say Arabella and you say Remus."
"...but I've already got my presents and you know I like them so that's cheating!" Harry accused his godfather.
"Ah but you haven't got mine and Remus's, have you?"
Harry's brow furrowed slightly. He wasn't sure if he should be excited or worried.
***
Author's note: I intended this to be the last chapter in this story but issues I had originally decided not to deal with have pushed their way back in and I came to realise that I had to make the whole story longer to account for this. This is why it has taken me so long to publish more chapters and I do apologise – but hey, if you reading this then there's obviously nothing else you should be doing...
The next chapters are very important to Sirius and Remus's relationship. There is an old saying I think should apply to their time together that goes 'If you want to know me, come live with me.' Meaning: it is only when you spend twenty-four hours a day with someone that you even begin to know the real person. Some of us find it too easy to hide behind a mask.
Again I shall thank all of you who have reviewed. Katzchen, rachiru-rebonu, Prongs, MorganD, jeswin, HarpersAngel, and of course my dear Marauder, you have no idea what your words mean to me. I have written for so long and yet did not have the courage to show many people my work for fear of seeing that kindly smile which means it is not that good after all. It is comforting to know that in some sphere of the world my words are available for others to enjoy. I hope someday to write a universe as fantastic as the one JK Rowling has provided for us so that others can feel the rush I get with every new appreciation. So in closing – I wish I had bigger words to say this, but – with all my heart and soul: I thank you!
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