A.N./ First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed for the last chapter! I left for a vacation the day I submitted the chapter and I came home to such wonderful things that people had to say. Once again, thank you! It does my heart good to see them. Otherwise … I own nothing. That's a bit obvious. I hope you guys like this chapter. And if you do, please review!

Chapter 12: The Last Day

Harry woke early the next morning, and paced in his room until he heard Remus and Sirius awake and walking around the house. His night had been one where he was plagued with dreams, most of which he could not remember, and after which he would wake. After a while, he gave up and just lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling.

That morning they ate breakfast, simply observing the weather and talking about meaningless things. Harry listened to every word, watched every gesture. He soaked the moments up, storing them into his memories to keep until the day he died, or until this day ceased to exist.

Sirius would lift his spoon to his mouth, smearing porridge on his chin in a sleepy stupor. Remus would nudge him under the table and say something about how they should go outside that day. Sirius would make a funny face at him while Remus turned to lean over his bowl. Harry categorized everything.

After they were finished eating, they took a walk outside in the forest on the edge of the house. The sun was warm on Harry's neck and Sirius' arm would occasionally bump into him as he walked beside him, between Remus and himself. After a lengthy silence Sirius suggested that they have a mock Quidditch game, and for once Remus didn't object.

"It'd be good to do some exercising, I suppose," he mused, kicking a stone off the path.

"Of course it would, Moony. Are you up for it, Harry? Or do you think that you're just not good enough? We did play with James, after all," Sirius joked, winking.

Remus rolled his eyes and said reassuringly, "He just likes to think his bark is big enough. You really do fly like your father, Harry." Harry smiled thankfully, recalling the words spoken to him a long time ago. He used to feel close to his father when he was flying. It would only be natural for him to fly with the two men who were now as good as his fathers.

So, the three of them trudged to the little shed, grabbing their respective brooms. Holding the broom in his hand made the whole situation real to Harry for some reason. The familiar weight in his hands reminded him that this was it. This was his last day.

Sirius pushed his shoulder playfully, shaking him out of his thoughts. "Race you up."

Harry grinned as he watched Sirius run off, flying up into the sky. Remus shook his head bemusedly but followed after him. Harry watched them, zooming from one side of the gray sky to the other in a game of tag. Harry's chest suddenly felt heavy. Yet when Sirius called after him, he flew up toward the two and he couldn't remember a time when he had felt so elated.

After lunch they sat in the study and Sirius told stories of when they were in Hogwarts. Harry listened to every story about his father. Every prank was recaptured and every joke retold. He would ask question after question and the two men answered without fault.

"How did my parents start dating?" Harry asked, leaning back into the sofa chair with his feet curled under him.

Sirius smiled, looking drunk with happiness, and folded his hands behind his head while leaning against Remus. Remus tried to shrug him off but found that Sirius wouldn't budge. "James grew up, unlike this one here," Remus said with some effort as Sirius started to cover him entirely. Harry laughed as they struggled for a bit longer.

Remus finally was able to push him off, and Sirius apologized half-heartedly. "James grew up and Lily started to notice him in a more positive light," Sirius said, settling down into the cushioned couch.

"It was at the end of sixth year that she was actually civil to him, I believe," said Remus, looking over at Sirius questioningly.

"That's right, because they kept sending letters to each other. All summer long. It was so bloody annoying, Harry," said Sirius, twisting his face into a sickened look. "It was like she put a coat of icing over James. He started getting all romantic and, 'Oh, should I bring her something when we go back to school?'" he said in a high pitched voice, batting his eyes ridiculously.

"He did flaunt it, just a bit. Even if he didn't notice it," said Remus. "She secretly loved him for it, and that's all that mattered to James."

"Then how did you two start dating?" Harry asked casually.

The two fell silent, their smiles fading but their faces retained a glow of happiness. Their eyes were more peaceful and just a bit embarrassed. "Well …" Remus said, but faltered.

Sirius took a breath, the air around them turning more sober. "After the incident with Snivellus, Remus wouldn't speak to me for a very ling time. He wasn't rude or anything, he just didn't want to … I don't know. He didn't want to be around me." Remus dropped his head, trying to avoid looking at Sirius.

"I soon found that I couldn't – what's the word? – function without him," Sirius said, starting to look flustered.

"And I him," interjected Remus, finally looking at him.

"So, I sent him a few letters over the summer of our sixth year, telling him what I thought," Sirius said, watching Remus carefully.

"Oh, the letters," whispered Harry, but shut his mouth immediately after.

Sirius gave him an odd look, but then understood. "So you saw that in the Pensieve, did you? Well, you know what happened with that." Harry avoided eye contact with both of them, discomfited and ashamed.

"After that, I admitted what I was feeling also and we started dating," Remus said, finally smiling. "Though, I don't know if you could necessarily call it that. We never went out on dates in school."

"We'd bring dinner to the dorm the nights that James was off with Lily doing Merlin knows what. We usually kicked The Bastard out. Those were nice little 'dates' for us." Sirius said, avoiding saying Wormtail's name.

Remus opened his mouth to say something about the new subject, but he refrained. "Yes, they were perfect."

The rest of the afternoon flew by and Harry found himself scrambling to catch the every moment. He tried to stay in the same room as Sirius constantly, not wanting to lose a second. A few times, Sirius suggested that he do some homework but hadn't the strength to pursue it. After dinner, they settled on playing a bit of wizard's chess.

Harry grinned stealthily, observing the remainder of their game. Sirius hissed in a breath and exhaled loudly in frustration. "Fine! You win. You happy now?"

"No, you still need to move Padfoot," Remus said, peeking over the book in his hand and giving Harry a wink.

"But it won't matter where I move! Either way, he has me cornered," he said, staring at the board, praying that there was some loop out of it.

After much hesitation, Sirius finally moved his knight into place where Harry proceeded to completely demolish it. Sirius glared at him as Harry cleaned up the board. Remus laughed at both of them.

"If you think it's so funny, why don't you do it?" Sirius said, sitting back against the couch, legs splayed in front of him on the floor.

"Oh, I couldn't do that. I'd want young Harry to keep some of his dignity."

"Hey!" Harry said, laughing.

"He's just afraid that he'll lose to you. He's a little pansy, remember?" Sirius whispered to Harry behind his hand. Remus raised an eyebrow and shut his book.

"You asked for it." He said sadly, shoving Sirius away from the board.

At first, Harry found the game to be very easy but he soon became aware that Remus was letting him win. Sirius sat behind Remus, grinning and shaking his head. He tried making eye contact with Harry several times, but Remus would hit his shoulder, telling him to shut it.

Progressively, Harry's side of the board started to wane until he was left with only a few pieces. But, suddenly, Harry found just the place where he could win. Containing his excitement, he sat quietly and watched Remus make his move.

"So," his old professor said idly, moving his bishop next to Harry's knight where it was bashed in. "I saw that you were looking though my book yesterday. Tell me, Harry …"

- Their eyes met and Harry could see the flicker of amber, just the same as in the book, in his eyes and it sent a chill up Harry's spine, causing him to shiver. -

"… Did you find anything interesting?"

Harry couldn't take his eyes away and he gulped air. He knew that he had been caught the other day, but he had hoped that nothing would be said. Now, his stomach dropped out from under him as those eerie eyes penetrated anything that he could possible say to get out of the mess.

"It's your turn," Remus said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Of course," said Harry, tearing his eyes away and moved a piece that he didn't give too much thought into. But, the moment that Harry lifted his fingers from the smooth wood of the chess piece he knew what had happened.

Remus grinned and Sirius let out a shout of triumph from behind him. "Checkmate."

"No!" Harry cried, staring at the board much like Sirius had earlier. He was trapped. No matter where he would move, he was defeated.

Remus chuckled, getting up. He stretched hugely and yawned. He ruffled the top of Harry's head, messing his hair even more than it was. "Don't fret over it too much, Harry. James fell for the same trick."

"Every time!" Sirius laughed, pulling up a stunned Harry from the floor. He brushed him off and threw an arm around him. He yawned also and led Harry toward the door. "It is time to tuck in, don't you think mate?"

Not feeling in the least bit tired, Harry fought the impulse to say no and faked a yawn.

"Anyway, we finished up the last of our supplies. We need to go shopping for food before we run out," Remus said, turning off the lamp and closed the door to the study.

"Sounds like a plan," said Sirius, letting go of Harry.

The two bid Harry a good night, waving him off in the hall. Harry stood there as their door shut quietly and he listened to their muffled voices and rustling as they prepared for bed. After a while, the two were finally quiet and Harry went into his room, leaving the door open.

He climbed into his bed fully clothed, the covers thrown off of him. He turned and looked at the stuffed dog, trying to distract his thoughts. He tried closing his eyes, but that didn't seem to work. He just kept seeing Sirius falling through the veil. He kept feeling Remus' arms around him, restraining him from running after Sirius.

Then he'd see them how the were now. He could see them sneaking a kiss on the couch in the study; he could see Sirius kiss the back of Remus' neck where his mark from the ministry lay.

He sat up, looking around his dark room as if searching for a solution. He wanted so desperately to find a way to stop time, some way to spend more time in this house. He'd never felt so comfortable in one place – except for Hogwarts --, even in every awkward situations entailed by his knowledge of their relationship.

Harry, feeling absolutely restless and knowing fully well that he would not sleep that night, started to walk around his room. He tried to think of many different ways to try and calm himself, but his efforts were fruitless. Finally, he decided on getting a glass of water.

When he walked into the kitchen, he found, to his surprise, that an hour had passed from when the couple went to bed. He grabbed a glass of water and gulped it greedily. There had to be some way to have more time, thought Harry as he set his empty cup in the sink. Still not finding his answer, he started to make his way to his room.

Just as he got to the end of the hall, he stopped at their door. He stood there for a few long moments, pondering. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible. The darkness of the room was warm and comforting, enveloping him, just as it had earlier that week.

They both lay on their sides, their backs facing each other. When Harry came close, Remus turned over, his nose nuzzling the back of Sirius' neck once and his arm wrapped tightly around the other man's chest, hand curled over his heart. In the dark Harry could barely tell which limb belonged to whom.

Quietly, Harry went across the room and dragged the wooden chair to his godfather's side. He sat there and watched them for a long time, listening to their deep, even breathes. Sirius stretched out his arm, as though he was reaching for Harry in his sleep. The muscles in his arm grew taut, flexing, then relaxed. Harry stared at the unmoving hand.

Feeling a lump in his throat, he reached out to it hesitantly. Fingers twitching slightly, he placed his hand over Sirius', feeling like a small child reaching out for his father. Yet, in a way, he was. Sirius turned his face upward and groggily opened his eyes. They were a dull gray from sleepiness, unlike his lively clear eyes. They looked almost dead.

"Harry?" He said, voice gruff. Harry nodded, his jaw tightening from the surprised emotion.

Sirius sighed loudly, the breath coming in a great whoosh. It even disturbed Remus, who buried his face into the billow behind Sirius' head, tightening his hold around Sirius' body. He closed his eyes and for a moment Harry thought that he had fallen asleep.

But he hadn't. He opened his eyes once more and he moved his hand from Harry's, patting it. "Harry … Go get some rest. Tomorrow is going to be a big day." His hand ceased the slow, heavy patting and rested finally over Harry's fingers.

Harry felt tears sting at the back of his eyes, and he nodded even though he knew that Sirius was all ready asleep. Leaning awkwardly over his chair, he laid his head on the edge of the bed, careful not to remove his hand from under Sirius'. He watched Sirius' face, remembering every detail. He lost his father without getting the chance to actually see him; he wouldn't let the same thing happen with Sirius.

Soon, Harry couldn't keep his eyes open and he felt sleep tug at him.

Tomorrow would be a very big day, indeed.

A.N./ So … here we go people. Review or I'll threaten to finish it here! … Or, just kidding. But no, really.