Patchwork

Christmas passed, and so did the beginning of the new Year. Before Remus knew what was happening, his birthday had passed and it was the first week of March. Though one might not have guessed it from the weather outside. Quite unusually for this season, the ground was still frozen and partially covered in snow. Spring was still a bit away, as it seemed.

It was early afternoon, and Remus was standing in the kitchen preparing tea. Today was the big day, he thought with a smile. Today Sirius would come and visit them for the first time. Would meet Harry for the first time. He had been released from St. Mungo's at the end of January, after nearly five months of 'imprisonment' there. Not surprisingly, imprisonment had been the term Sirius had used to describe his stay at the hospital. Remus had visited at most weekends, whenever his work and Harry's schedules had allowed it. Remus still didn't know exactly what to think about their relationship after that time. They had talked a lot, about the good times back at school as well as about Remus' life with Harry. Sometimes, those conversations had become awkward when they had touched sore topics. It had been awkward a number of times, but by now they were moving on a comfortable middle-ground. Comfortable enough for Sirius to come and visit Harry, that at least had been Remus' idea. Unfortunately, after Sirius 'imprisonment' in St. Mungo's another stretch of custody had followed.

Remus had nearly forgotten about it over the weeks, but no matter how much he had learned to see Sirius as his old friend again, officially Sirius was still an escaped Ministry prisoner. And not even Dumbledore could prevent that a Ministry escort fetched Sirius from the hospital and transported him to the Ministry immediately. Sirius had been absolutely horrified that they would send him back to Azkaban, more than once he had told Remus that he would never and under no circumstances return there. Remus had been scared that his friend would resort to drastic means to evade being returned to Azkaban. Fortunately, he had 'only' been brought to a Ministry facility in London to prepare for his upcoming trial. Remus had not been able to visit him there, he had had to rely on Dumbledore's reassurances that Sirius was treated well and was doing as fine as could be expected in his situation.

Minister Fudge had done his best to keep the public information about the trial as limited as possible. Understandably, he had not wanted the possible revelation of how Sirius had been imprisoned and sent to Azkaban without a trial to become public all over the wizarding world.

The trial as such had been a long-winded and very exhausting procedure that had stretched for nearly three weeks. Remus had gone there as often as he could, he had wanted to show his support for Sirius, and from what he had seen Sirius had been in dire need of emotional support. Despite Dumbledore's reassurances that Sirius was fine, he had looked all too pale to Remus, weak and shaky, and he seemed to have lost again some of the few pounds he had gathered during his time in St. Mungo's. The first day of Sirius' testimony, the session had had to be interrupted for over two hours because Sirius' body hadn't been able to handle the amount of Veritaserum he had been given. From what Dumbledore had told Remus later, Sirius had puked his guts out as soon as he had been brought out of the courtroom and it had taken him over an hour to be able to stand on his own feet again.

It had been hard for Remus to sit in the audience and watch Sirius being questioned for two days about every horrible detail of the events of Halloween 1981. Sometimes, Sirius had not been able to grasp a particular memory, sometimes he had not even been able to answer a question despite the Veritaserum. Whenever that happened, Sirius had gotten extremely agitated, trying to force himself to remember, but to no avail. Sirius had been frustrated each and every time he could not remember something, and Remus had not dared to think what kind of impression the judges would have upon hearing his testimony. Would they believe him, despite all the holes in his memory, despite the fact that one time he had all but yelled at a judge to leave him some time to remember it all when he had been ushered to answer the question? The remaining days of he trial had been filled with countless testimonies of other witnesses, Sirius' healers amongst them, who explained in detail what had been done to Sirius' mind after he escaped from Azkaban, what he had done of his own free will and what he had probably been forced to do.

And suddenly it had been over. Remus had been extremely worried that Sirius' mental condition would make the judges not believe in his testimony, Veritaserum or not. And he knew that if they found him guilty and sent him back to Azkaban, it would break Sirius.

But they had not sent him back to Azkaban.

They had judged Sirius innocent, had granted him compensations for his wrongful imprisonment, and had set him free into a world of which he had not been part for six years.

Had it not been for Harry, Remus would have taken Sirius in immediately, but as he didn't know how Harry would react to having a complete stranger in the house that had not been a possibility. Sirius had refused to ever enter his family's house at Grimmauld Place again, but with the compensation from the Ministry and his heritage to which he now finally had free access, money was not a problem for him at the moment. He had rented a flat in London, a place where there were enough muggles and tourists for him to remain mostly anonymous. His innocence had been in the papers, but still people were staring at him whenever they recognized him. Sirius didn't like that, something Remus could sympathize with only too well.

Now he was taking time to get used to normal life again, he was making plans for how his life would go on from here. He didn't need to go working for the foreseeable future, but Remus knew that without something to occupy him, Sirius would go up the walls soon. But that was the future, they could think about that when the appropriate time came. Right now, getting Sirius settled back into normal life was important, not what lay a year or so in the future.

And for today, Sirius' first meeting with Harry was on the agenda. Remus thought he had prepared both of them sufficiently, he only hoped it went well.

The doorbell rang at precisely three in the afternoon, and if Remus had not known it better, he'd say that it sounded more timid than usual. With a last quick look around to see whether he had forgotten anything, he went into the hall. Quickly, he wiped his hands on a tea-towel and opened up the door. On the front step, a very nervous-looking Sirius was standing. He gave Remus a quick, half-honest, half-suffering grin as his friend motioned him through into the hall.

"Hello, Remus."
"Hello Sirius. How are you feeling?"

Sirius shrugged and stepped inside. He undid the fastenings of his cloak and had just opened his mouth to answer something when his eyes fell onto the small cloak on the wardrobe where he had just wanted to put his own cloak. By now, he had had enough time to get used to seeing Harry on pictures, at least that was Remus' conclusion. Remus had brought many pictures of Harry to the hospital over the past weeks, and he had told Sirius a lot about Harry. Sirius had always seemed extremely interested in how the child was doing, and Remus had had the impression that Sirius didn't automatically think about James, Lily and the tragedy six years ago anymore when Harry's name was mentioned. Tears no longer immediately shot into his eyes whenever he saw a photograph, and talking about Harry also was far easier than it had been in the beginning. But obviously seeing real traces of Harry's presence here in the house seemed to be a bit much for him at the moment. Remus gave him a minute, and as Sirius then still didn't make a move to hang up his cloak he gently took the cloak out of Sirius' hands and hung it up for him. After that, he led their way into the living room.

"Harry is in the back-garden with Janus, it'll take another moment until they come in. I thought it might be better if you saw him first and could prepare yourself for meeting him. Just a moment."

He quickly hurried into the kitchen again to fetch the tea he had prepared. When he came back, Sirius was still standing a bit helplessly next to the fireplace, waiting patiently for him to return. Those were the small things that were not all right again yet. Back in the old days, Sirius would never have waited for a formal invitation to sit down. Most probably, he would have flung himself on the sofa, boots and all, and would have asked with an impish grin if there was any butterbeer in the house. But Sirius had changed, Remus had to realize for the umpteenth time since he had first visited him in November. He put the teapot down on the table and gestured towards the sofa.

"Why don't you sit down, Sirius?"

Sirius nodded, sank down on the sofa, and gratefully accepted the cup Remus handed him with slightly shaking hands.

"What did you tell him?"

"What I told Harry about you? That you're an old friend of mine from school who is coming for a visit. I didn't tell him anything about where you've been for the past five years, or that you were there when he got kidnapped. He's barely over it now as it is, I don't think it would be wise if he learned the whole truth before he gets to know you."

"Thank you", Sirius breathed out, but Remus waved him off. He still felt guilty towards his school time friend, though this feeling had lessened more and more over the past months. But until now Remus' aim had been to help Sirius recover from what had been done to him, to give him any possible help in starting to lead a normal life again. They had talked a lot, of course, but so far no sore topic had really been discussed between them. That would come in time, and Remus felt ready to deal with it as soon as it came up. But today their task would be to introduce Harry to Sirius. And the other way around. Remus couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about it, though he guessed that his nerves were still very well-composed compared to Sirius'.

And indeed, Sirius did not seem able to sit still, he fidgeted uncomfortably and constantly picked up his tea-cup, only to set it down again.

"Nervous?", Remus asked. Sirius nodded.

"Never been that nervous before, never in my entire life."

He got up from his position on the sofa and went over towards the mantle, looking at the pictures above the fireplace. Remus smiled.

"It'll be fine. He's a tad bit shy around strangers ever since he got kidnapped, but when I told him that an old friend would visit today, he was okay with it."

Sirius only nodded, for the moment left speechless by the onslaught of images that greeted him in the living room once he took a closer look. Remus had brought him pictures from Harry to the hospital, pictures from every age since the child had come to live with him, but still that was nothing compared to all the pictures that hung in the living room or stood on the mantelpiece. Remus had never before realized just how many pictures of Harry were hanging in his living room.

The real-life Harry was playing in the garden with Janus, clearly visible through the large window behind the sofa, but for the moment Sirius didn't seem to notice. Instead, he looked at all the pictures in the room and for a long moment stood in front of one of Harry's drawings. Remus stepped beside him and looked over his shoulder.

The drawing was half a year old, Harry had done it after his birthday party when he had received his first broom. In the way small children doodle, Harry had painted a house on the right hand side of the picture, a house which was far too small in proportion compared to the figures that were standing next to it. Four big figures and a small one, all labelled in Harry's childish writing. 'Remus' was standing next to 'Harry' with his stick-like arm on Harry's shoulder, next to Harry there was something that was barely recognizable as a broom, and the other three figures on the picture were labelled 'Grandpa', 'Uncle Janus' and 'Aunt Serena'. Like most children's paintings it looked as if a box of crayons had exploded, but still Remus liked the picture a lot. After the kidnapping, Harry's pictures had not been as colourful and bright anymore for a long while, this picture was a good reminder of how it had been before the nightmares.

Slowly, Sirius turned around.

"'Uncle Janus'? Now that's something you've withheld from me so far. When did that happen?"

Remus smiled. "You'd be surprised. It's still a mystery to me, but Harry adores him. And where Harry is concerned, Janus is reduced to being a big softie. It's scary sometimes, I can tell you."

They both turned towards the window and looked out, Sirius with an extremely nervous expression on his face. Harry and Janus were out in the back garden, Harry's broom lying discarded on the ground. Obviously, they were playing catch, and Janus was quite busy making a fool out of himself by trying to look as if he was too slow to catch the seven year old. Harry's face was flushed from running in the cold air and he was laughing so loud that the sound carried into the living room. With a smile on his face, Remus crossed his arms in front of his chest and watched his brother and godson. On Sirius' face was a look of pure fascination as he watched Harry – the child he had believed to be dead for over five years, or rather, the child he thought he had believed to be dead for over five years – play happily only metres away from him.

After maybe five minutes Janus looked up and towards the window. He saw Remus and Sirius standing there and nodded into their direction. When Harry caught up with him the next time he playfully caught him, whirled him around in the air once or twice, then put him back down and said something into his ear. Harry listened, then he nodded enthusiastically. The two started towards the back door and Remus led Sirius over towards the sofa again.

"They're coming in now?"

Remus had to hide a smile at the panicked sound of Sirius' voice and pushed him down into an armchair.

"He won't bite you. Don't ask Janus though, he's got horrible stories about toddlers biting adults who then die from blood-poisoning, but that's something else. And Harry is not a toddler anymore. Anyway, it'll be all right, believe me."

Sirius didn't look all that convinced, but at that moment the back door opened and Janus came in with Harry, and Sirius didn't have any more time to panic. Harry was still flushed from running around outside, and his boots and pants were muddy with large chunks of snow and ice clinging to them.

"Remus, do you know what Uncle Janus just told me?"

With a huge smile on his face Harry started for Remus, but Remus quickly held up his hand to stop him.

"How about you pull out those boots first, before you carry the snow and mud all around the house?"

Harry pulled a face and quickly pulled off his boots, throwing them towards the back door where they landed with an audible 'thud'. Remus flinched at the sound and shook his head. That kid was responsible for all the grey hairs he already had, he was convinced of it. Harry wanted to storm over immediately, but then his eyes fell on Sirius and he hesitated, the smile vanishing a bit from his face. Janus stepped behind him and put his hands on Harry's shoulders while Remus tried to smile reassuringly at him.

"Harry, I want you to meet somebody." He patted on the spot next to himself on the sofa and hesitantly Harry sat down, his eyes never leaving Sirius' face and his hand reaching for Remus' hand in search of reassurance. Remus squeezed Harry's cold hand once and spoke again.
"Remember that I told you about the friend of mine who would visit today? Harry, this is Sirius. He went to school with your Dad and me, he's an old friend. Sirius, this is Harry."

Remus saw the tears well up in Sirius' eyes and was not all that sure what to do. But then the Harry saved him from reacting in any way. He cocked his head to the side and seemed to think for a moment.

"I know you."

Sirius frowned. "You do?"

Harry nodded enthusiastically, eager to show how good his memory was. "Yes, I do. Remus showed me pictures, from when he was at school. And you were in a picture."

Remus was surprised. He had shown Harry pictures of his time at school, but that must have been at least two years ago. And he could not have told him much about Sirius, not while he had still been thinking that Sirius had betrayed them all. Remus had wanted to show Harry some pictures the day before, when he had told the child that Sirius would visit. But he had not found the albums from his time at Hogwarts immediately, so he had given up. They had to be somewhere in the attic, but he had not had the nerve for a lengthy search. Harry tore him out of his musings again as he continued to speak.

"There was a picture from when my Dad won the Quidditch cup, and you were in it. But your hair was short then."

Instinctively, Sirius moved a hand to his shoulder-length hair, not really knowing how to react. Remus could understand him, from all he knew Sirius had not been often around children of Harry's age, and the years in Azkaban surely had done nothing to improve his social skills. He had interacted naturally with Harry as a baby, but now it seemed more difficult. Harry again spared him the effort to think of something because he spoke again.
"It looked better when it was short. I like short better."

That brought a smile onto Sirius' face and he laughed his bark-like laugh. Remus didn't even remember how long it had been since he had last heard Sirius laugh.

"I had already thought about cutting it again myself."

Again Harry nodded. "Short is better", he repeated with deep conviction in his voice. Then, seemingly content that this part of the conversation was over, he turned to face Remus again.

"Uncle Janus told me that he brought ice-cream for us! Strawberry and chocolate ice-cream!" He climbed off the sofa and reached for Remus' hand, enthusiastically tugging it in an attempt to pull him up and into the kitchen. "Can we eat the ice-cream now? Please, Remus."

"I'd say you go upstairs and change your clothes first. And once you've washed up and are wearing clean clothes we can talk about that ice-cream, all right?"

With an audible sigh Harry let go off Remus' hand and left the room, stomping a bit too loudly as he went. Remus smiled and shook his head. Lately, Harry had developed a liking for dramatic exits whenever he didn't get his will. As soon as the child had left the room Remus turned towards his brother.

"It's the beginning of March, still nearly frozen outside, and you bring ice-cream for Harry?"

Janus shrugged and folded his tall frame into an armchair with a grin on his face. "Not my kid, not my worries about spoiling. That'd be your cup of tea then."

"I'll remember that the next time you need a baby-sitter."

Janus wanted to say something in response but Remus waved him off and turned towards Sirius again.

"Seems as if Harry's only problem about you is your hairstyle."

Sirius laughed again.

"Right, it could definitely have gotten worse."

"Yeah, somebody could have told him that you used to play extremely mean pranks on his favourite uncle when you were younger. I bet Harry would not have liked you much if he had known about that."

"Are you trying to blackmail Sirius, Janus?"

Janus shrugged. "Just keeping all my options open, nothing more. I remember those howlers, you know?"

His voice was playful, taunting even, but Remus knew Janus was not feeling all that light-hearted at the moment. Janus and Sirius had never held any warm feelings for each other, and that had not changed one bit. Over the past months, Remus had realized more than once that Janus had absolutely no desire to have Sirius become a part of his private life in any way. He accepted that Remus wanted that contact with his friend, but he had made it perfectly clear that he was evading any confrontation for Remus' and Harry's sake alone. If Sirius at one point fell back to his old behaviour of taunting Janus until he snapped, Janus would snap. No matter what Remus thought about it. So he was watching the exchange between his brother and his friend warily. A sly grin spread around the corners of Sirius' mouth.

"Ah, the howlers. Yes, I remember them as well. Kept me pretty occupied during my summer holidays back then."

"I wouldn't advise a repeated performance."

Janus' voice was low and tight, but Sirius only grinned wider.

"Oh, give me some credit here. If anything, I'd think of a way to top those howlers."

Before Janus could respond anything to that, Harry's steps sounded on the stairs and a moment later he appeared in the doorframe, hopping excitedly from one foot to the other.

"All right, I've got clean clothes on, I've washed my hands and I've even combed my hair. Can we eat the ice-cream now? Please!"

He stepped over and grabbed Janus' wrist with both hands, trying to pull his uncle up. Janus pulled back, and with little force he managed to pull Harry over the arm-lean of his armchair and across his lap. Harry squealed loudly, a sound which immediately turned into laughter as Janus tickled Harry's sides.

"Not so impatient, young man. You'll get your ice-cream soon enough."

And he grabbed Harry around the waist and carried him into the kitchen, sat him down on the counter and opened up the refrigerator. Remus watched them, but turned his head when Sirius spoke again.

"Your brother might be a prick, but Harry really seems to adore him."

Remus nodded.

"Yes, he does. He loves Janus, and Janus would do pretty much anything for him. So I wouldn't advise you to get into a fight with Janus and have Harry witness it, otherwise you won't have much credit left with him."

Sirius shook his head.

"I haven't planned that. It's just difficult for me to imagine Harry having such a close relationship with your brother."

"It's his family, that's what he grew up into."

Sirius thought for a long moment, his eyes distant.

"There'll be no getting in between for me, will there?"

"No. Not in between. I don't know if you'll ever be for Harry what James intended you to become when he named you his godfather. And at the moment you're probably nothing more than a friend of mine in whom Harry has absolutely no interest. Give it some time, let him get used to having you around. You'll be surprised how quickly he'll involve you in his daily life. And pretty soon he'll order you around just as much as he does with us."

Sirius slowly nodded.

"Give it some time", Remus repeated. "He doesn't trust easily, but once he cares, he cares deeply. And now let's go look after them before that brother of mine allows Harry to eat all the ice-cream without us."

They got up and went over into the kitchen, Sirius still with some hesitancy in his steps. In time, Remus thought. If they just gave it enough time, things would work out, he was convinced of that.