Black Letters
By Neurotica
Nine: Innocence and Birthday Surprises
On the morning of Harry Potter's sixteenth birthday, his newly freed godfather, Sirius Black, woke and showered before the sun had even risen and snuck to Remus Lupin's bedroom. He opened the door and moved soundlessly to his friend's bedside. Sirius had to admit that even asleep, Remus still seemed to be the most mature out of the Marauders. He was lying on his back, arms crossed over his chest, not snoring. Remus had been the only one in their dormitory who never snored; the other three made it sound as if there was a freight train running through their room.
"Moony," Sirius whispered. Did I mention that Remus was a very heavy sleeper as well? "Remus," he said louder.
Sirius rolled his eyes and looked around the room. Smirking, he took his wand from his pocket and performed a silencing charm around the room. Pointing his wand to his own throat, Sirius muttered a charm.
"Remus Lupin!" said the sharp voice of Minerva McGonagall. "What have I told you about sleeping in my class?"
Remus sat straight up in his bed and looked wildly around the room. "Sorry, Professor," he muttered tiredly. He looked to his left upon hearing McGonagall laughing hard, and saw Sirius doubled over with tears streaming down his red face. Remus collapsed back on his bed and reached over for his wand. "Git," he muttered, pointing his wand at Sirius. "Finite Incantatem."
Once Sirius had mostly calmed himself, he said, "Get up, it's time."
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as Remus led him from Number Twelve later in the afternoon.
"You'll see," Remus said mysteriously.
"Where's Sirius?" Harry asked.
"You'll see," Remus repeated with a smirk.
"Okay," Harry said slowly.
Remus flung out his wand arm before Harry had a chance to stop him. With a loud bang the purple triple-decker Knight Bus skidded to a halt just in front of them. "Welcome to the Knight Bus, transportation for the stranded witch or wizard. My name's–"
"Yes, yes, we know," Remus said briskly, putting some coins in Stan Shunpike's hand. "Go find a seat, Harry. I'll be back in a moment."
"Harry–"
"Don't do it, Stan," Remus warned. Stan shut his mouth abruptly.
Harry walked to the back of the bus, trying to ignore the stares and whispers around him, and found two empty seats for him and Remus. Sirius had been gone when Harry woke that morning. He seemed to be the only one who didn't know where he'd gone, and no one would tell him anything; they'd only smiled and wished him a happy birthday.
Remus sat down next to him and they braced themselves as the Knight Bus took off.
At the end of the ride, feeling slightly nauseated, Harry followed Remus off the bus and up the sidewalk. He looked around the neighborhood they'd arrived in. Large houses with perfectly kept green lawns and families playing in their front yards surrounded them. It seemed to be an all wizarding neighborhood.
"Where are we?" Harry asked quietly, looking around.
Again, Remus said, "You'll see."
They walked up the front sidewalk of one of the houses. As Remus used the lion shaped doorknocker, Harry glanced at the shiny gold number two just above the large white door.
A shadow moved in front of the tinted window. Hesitating just for a moment, the shadow opened the door, and Harry laid eyes on his grinning godfather.
"Happy Birthday, Harry!" Sirius said, stretching his arms wide.
"Thanks, Sirius," Harry responded, raising his eyebrows slightly. He looked at Remus; the werewolf was smiling at Sirius and Harry.
"Well, come in," Sirius said, moving aside for his godson and friend to enter.
Harry entered and looked around the house. It looked like a normal family's home. A few plants were scattered around the hallway, photos lined the walls. But what would Sirius be doing here? The wizard in question led them to the kitchen, and offered them a Butterbeer. Sitting at the kitchen table with his own drink, Sirius continued to grin as Harry took a look around.
"Where are we?" Harry asked again, this time directing the question to Sirius.
"My new house," Sirius said proudly. "Well, our new house," he added with a nervous glance to Remus.
Again, Harry raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I – um – had no idea you two were…" he began, looking between the two and wiggling his fingers.
"What?" Sirius said loudly while Remus choked on his Butterbeer. "No, Harry! Remus and me aren't – EW!" he added childishly.
"Oh," Harry said, feeling embarrassed. "It's just, you said 'we', and I thought–"
"Yes, I said 'we', but I didn't mean Remus; I, uh, meant… well, you," Sirius said, looking nervously at Harry.
Harry's eyes widened and his mouth dropped open. "What?" he whispered.
"I talked to Dumbledore," Sirius said, tapping his fingers on the kitchen table. "And he said that as long as we take proper precautions, you can live with me. If you still want to, that is," he added quickly at the look on Harry's face.
"Are you serious?"
Sirius grinned and Remus groaned. "Don't start, Sirius," he warned.
"Shut up, Moony," Sirius chuckled. "So, what do you say, Harry?"
The smile that formed on Harry's face was the biggest one either wizard had ever seen on him. "When can I move in?"
