Sirius' POV
I think I can get used to waking up like this. Moony is hugged close to my right, and Devlin sprawled across my chest and to my left.
To be honest I'm a little relieved that Devlin can sleep through the night, I did worry that I would have to extract myself from under my Mate to care for him. Not that I'm even sure what that would entail…
I'm going to stop that line of thought before I start doubting my abilities as a father…
I feel Devlin stir and then he yawns widely.
"Good morning, Devlin," I greet him.
He looks up at me and grins widely,
"Padfoot. Devlin warm. Happy."
"That's good," I smile back. "Shh though, Moony's still sleeping."
I watch him consider that for a moment, then he nods and lies back down.
"Moony sleep?"
"Moony likes to sleep," I reply. I look over at the clock; it's nearly six o'clock so I need to get moving.
I lay still for a while longer, but then extract myself gently.
"Padfoot leave?"
"I have to get ready to go to work," I tell him. "It's ok, you can stay here with Moony."
Moony lets out a soft groan and his eyes flicker open,
"Padfoot?"
"Hey, Love. I've gotta get ready to go."
"I love you," he murmurs.
"Love you too," I agree. "Devlin, do you want to stay up here with Moony or grab a bite to eat with me?"
"Food?" he smiles and holds out his arms to me.
"Right-oh," I grin. "Hear that, Moony? We're going down to eat."
His eyes open sleepily,
"Sure. Devlin, when Sirius leaves you come back up here, ok?"
"Padfoot go, Devlin come to Moony," he nods.
"That's right, good boy," I carry him down the stairs.
Just as I reach the hallway I hear a knock on the door. I pause then check the peephole.
"Prongs?" I open the door. "Isn't it a little early for you to be dropping in?"
"Prongs!" Devlin holds out his arms to his godfather.
Prongs steps inside and I hand Devlin to him then close the door.
"Hello, Devlin," Prongs grins. "I'm here to check on the wolfsbane again," he tells me. "I need to separate it into two so that I can adjust it to the two prescriptions."
"Ah, ok sure," I nod. "We were just going to get something to eat, do you want anything?"
"Coffee would be good, thanks," we head off to the kitchen.
I get Prongs' coffee as he shifts some of the wolfsbane into a different cauldron. He then gets out a knife and scratches 'Moony' on one and 'Devlin' on the other.
"Right," he mutters, "let's see."
I leave his coffee on the side and gulp down my own as I fix Devlin a pancake and a beaker of milk.
"White," he smiles gratefully as I hand him his food.
I grin,
"Yeah, that's right. You eat that all up, ok?"
He nods happily.
"Prongs?" I walk to my friend. "You can keep an eye on Devlin while I get dressed, yeah?"
"Sure," he nods. "Just don't let Moony distract you."
I snort quietly and head back upstairs.
Remus' POV
I hear my Mate re-enter the room.
"You didn't eat, did you? Moreover, where's Devlin? You shouldn't leave him down there on his own."
"I had some coffee, and I'll eat when I get into the office," he tells me. "Devlin is with Prongs, who is adjusting the wolfsbane, as you two have to start taking it today."
I sigh gently,
"One week until the Full Moon," I stretch.
"It will probably be the first one Devlin will be conscious for," Sirius murmurs gently as he pulls on a new black robe. "He almost certainly doesn't know what happens to him each month."
"Poor boy," I reply. "He's even younger than I was, and even my parents weren't heartless enough to abandon me."
"You're strangely with-it for this time in the morning," Sirius changes the subject.
I laugh,
"Maybe it is my parental instincts kicking in. I don't feel like I should be sleeping while Devlin is up and about."
"I notice he is calling us Padfoot and Moony, rather than Dad or Sirius and Remus," he grins and sits down beside me.
"He bonded with you first," I smile as he brushes his fingers through my hair, "and he's picked up on what you call me, and what you call yourself. Also, he probably doesn't understand the word Dad."
"True," my Mate murmurs. "You know, Prongs warned me against letting you distract me…"
"I'm distracting am I?"
"In all the best ways…" he grins and leans down for a kiss.
"I love you…" I smile up at him as he pulls back.
"I love you too, but now I have to get going. Prongs will be down there for a while, so you may as well take the opportunity to take a shower before Devlin comes back up here."
I nod,
"Good idea. You have fun at work…" Sirius snorts with laughter, "and I'll see you later at Molly's?"
"Yeah," he grins, "I'll see you there."
Later
"Big," Devlin looks into the garden.
"It will be even bigger once I clear all these weeds," I tell him conversationally. "Why don't you bring your train outside and then play while I make a dent on this… catastrophe posing as a garden."
"Garden. High ceiling," he looks nervous.
It hits me suddenly. He hasn't been out of his cell for over a year, let alone outside the Ministry. He doesn't remember the sky.
"There is no ceiling," I tell him gently. "That's the sky. We're outside now. No walls either."
He considers that,
"Safe?"
"Yes, definitely," I tell him. "The garden is protected along with the house."
"Invisible."
"That's right. Don't worry, me and Padfoot won't let anything happen to you."
Sirius' POV
"So, how's the boy?"
I jump violently and spin round,
"Gees…" I face my boss with my wand in my hand. "Don't you think it's a little dangerous to creep up on Aurors?"
He laughs easily,
"Maybe so."
"Devlin's fine," I tell him as I put my wand back in my belt. "He's with Moony… err, Remus. I'm going to meet up with them at a friends house tonight."
He nods happily,
"I have heard that Potter is making a bit of ruckus over it all."
"James, Lily or Harry?"
"Harry. He's issued a complaint to the Minister."
"The whole family are rather vocal with their disapproval of things," I agree.
"Indeed. Oh, while I remember, this letter arrived for you."
"Oh? Who is it from?"
"Dumbledore, I believe," he shrugs. "Said it was important, but not urgent."
He hands me a letter and wanders off.
I shrug and open the letter.
Dear Sirius and Remus Black,
How does he know about that already? I shrug again and keep reading,
I hope this letter finds you well.
I hope, also, that Devlin is well. I understand that James is making wolfsbane for you, in preparation for the coming Moon.
I had not heard of what has apparently been happening in the Ministry, rest assured I shall be complaining as well. Know, too, that Devlin has a place in Hogwarts when the time comes.
Give my greetings to the others,
Dumbledore
"Huh," I grunt after reading the letter.
I am about to write a memo to Moony when I am called out to do a little work 'for a change'.
Later
"Remind me to do that again!" I grin as we troop back into HQ.
Tonks laughs easily,
"What, you like irritating the situation into a fire fight?"
I grin at her,
"Most action I've seen in months!"
"Remus will kill you himself if he finds you've been starting fights."
I just laugh and head to my desk to write up my report.
I'm just finishing off when Arthur joins me.
"Arthur, hey," I greet him as I seal up my report.
"Sirius," he nods. "I was just about to leave, are you ready to go?"
I blink in surprise,
"Yeah, sure. How are you getting home?"
"Apperating," he replies. "Oh, yes, don't you have a car?"
I shrug,
"No, they took if back from me. Said I didn't need it. I'm gunna buy another."
He nods and we walk out together.
"I hear Remus is already at the house," he tells me conversationally. "As is your son, Devlin is his name?"
"That's right," I agree as I drop off my report and wave goodbye.
"Is Lily likely to still be here?" he asks as we reach the life.
"Oh, I doubt it," I reply. "She starts early and finishes early."
"I hadn't noticed," he admits as the lift takes us to the lobby.
"She's a quiet girl," I agree.
"Remus is too," he adds, the looks awkward, "quiet, I mean, not a girl…"
I laugh,
"I knew what you meant."
"You know where to Apperate to?"
"Yes," I nod. "See you in a second."
Remus' POV
I watch as Devlin runs round and round in circles in the garden of the Burrow.
"He's so sweet!" Ginny announces.
"I know!" Lily agrees. "I'm getting all maternal just watching him!"
"You could always have another yourself," I tell her before I really think over my sentence.
I feel myself blush,
"Err, sorry. Ignore me."
Lily laughs easily,
"Never, Remus. I was thinking of it, but James and I are a little busy to be thinking of more children, and I don't know what Harry would think of it."
I shrug lightly, then grin,
"I'm am occasionally available for babysitting. My schedule is a little hectic, but I'm sure I'll be able to fit you in between maybe waking up and going to bed."
She laughs,
"You'll regret that when Devlin gets comfortable enough to run havoc around the house."
I laugh too,
"True. I really need to childproof the house before we get to that stage."
She beams,
"I always knew you'd make a great father, Remus."
I fell myself blush again and I look down,
"You are one of a very few number."
We look up as a double cracking sound comes from the front of the house.
After a few seconds Sirius is shown out by Molly.
"Hey," I smile happily. Sirius moves over and wraps me into his arms.
"Have a good day?" he asks.
I nod,
"It's good to have some company."
"Padfoot!" Devlin runs over.
"Hello you!" Sirius scoops him up and spins him round. "Did you have a good day?"
He beams,
"Moony garden. Big sky. Devlin train. Burrow."
"I see," Sirius grins. "Fun then?"
"Fun! Devlin train fun, Moony, Padfoot!"
Sirius laughs at our son's enthusiasm.
"Molly Ginny!" Devlin then tells him. "Owls."
"Really?" Sirius may, or may not, understand a word of what he's being told. I'm not sure.
"Big owls, and little owl. Pig!"
Sirius laughs,
"That's great."
"Lily Ginny clothes. Doggy!" Devlin announces.
"Brilliant," Sirius puts him back down, "I'm happy to hear that."
Devlin runs back into the house and I take the opportunity to explain what Devlin was on about.
"He means that I did some gardening while he played, but I had to explain to him that it was the sky. Then we came here for lunch, actually because we have run out of food that I feel happy messing around with while he is waiting… Once we got here he met Molly and she gave him another train, and showed him the owls." I take a breath, "then Lily and Ginny came back from shopping with some new clothes for him, and Ginny brought him a stuffed toy dog."
"Right," Sirius laughs. "Shouldn't you have been at work, Evans?"
"I took some leave," she grins. "I knew that someone would have to go clothes shopping for you two. Sirius would dress him all in leather, given half a chance," she grins at my Mate. "Remus, you'd be so worried about him that you wouldn't ever get round to buying anything."
"We'll pay you back," I promise.
"You'd better! We spent a fortune!" Lily grins evilly, then glances at Sirius. "And will you please remember that I'm married? You were there, after all…"
"Train doggy!" Devlin runs back out with his new toys to show my Mate.
"Wow!" Sirius humours him instantly and drops to his knees. "What are you going to call the doggy?"
"Name doggy?"
"Everyone likes to have a name," Sirius tells him.
I watch him thinking,
"Name doggy Doggy?"
"I'm sure the doggy would love to be called Doggy," Sirius agrees.
Devlin beams.
Later
I join Sirius outside.
"It's getting dark," I murmur.
"Yes," he sighs softly. "I was just watching the moon."
He gestures to the half moon above us.
"I can feel it. Devlin probably can too, though he won't know what it means."
"Where is he anyway?"
"He's being fussed over by Lily and Ginny," I tell him.
"You look tired," he pulls me into his arms.
"Mmm… I am tired."
"I remember a time when you would never admit weakness to anyone…"
"I was afraid," I nuzzle his shoulder and he kisses my temple.
"Has Devlin worn you out?" he speaks quietly.
I let a small laugh,
"He has a lot of energy. It's not that I'm exhausted from chasing him or anything, he's a good boy. I'm tired because I'm worrying myself silly."
"Do you want me to take some time off until things settle down a bit?" he offers.
"No," I close my eyes. "I just need to realise that looking at the fire doesn't mean Devlin is going to light the thing and kill himself."
Sirius laughs,
"If you're sure."
"I am. Moony just needs to adapt to having a cub to care for." I pull back slightly to grin at him; "Babysitting Harry was nothing next to this!"
"We need to keep an eye on him, though; I think Lily wants to steal him…" Sirius smirks.
"We'll tell her to adopt her own," I smile happily and drop my head back to his chest.
"We need to get home," Sirius leads me inside. "You and Devlin need to take that wolfsbane."
"Yuck," I reply, causing my Mate to snort with amusement.
"Devlin, home time!" he calls.
"Home!" Devlin jumps down from the sofa immediately.
"Remember your toys," Lily hands him the dog and the train.
He grins at her and runs over to us.
"Thanks for dinner, Molly," I thank the host.
"Oh," she beams at me. "Any time! I know what its like to have children running around. If you ever feel you want a break you just come over here."
"You're too kind," I smile.
"Say hi to Prongs, Harry and Ron when they get in," Sirius adds.
"What do you say to Molly?" I ask Devlin.
"Thank you, Molly!" he tells her instantly.
"Oh, you're welcome!" she beams at him.
We wave goodbye and walk to the road.
"Where's the car?" I ask.
"Oh, the Ministry took it back," Sirius replies.
"How are we getting home?"
"Bus?" he shrugs and holds out his wand arm.
Later, Sirius' POV
"Bye Bus!" Devlin waves.
The kid on board waves back, then the bus is gone.
"You need to buy a car," Moony tells me conversationally as he opens the door. I had forgotten that another one of his pet hates is travelling by Knight Bus.
We both jump out of our skin when we come face to face with Prongs.
"Hey," he grins sheepishly.
"Prongs!" Devlin beams then moves past him into the house.
"Hi. Err… what are you doing here?" I ask.
"Just the last check on the wolfsbane," he shrugs as we all step into the living room. "I used your shower, too. I don't like the ones at the club, and the queue always seems to be enormous at the Burrow…"
I shrug,
"Sure, whatever. Is the wolfsbane ready then? Only, they need to take some tonight."
I look over at Moony, who is watching Devlin.
"Yeah, it's ready. I have left the appropriate size goblets next to each cauldron. Make sure Devlin drinks the full dose, no mater how gross it tastes," Prongs adds.
"We will," Moony murmurs.
"Thanks man," I grin at Prongs.
I gesture to the door and we both walk out. I lead him down into the kitchen.
"I just wanted to thank you again, Prongs. It means a lot to Moony and I that you do this for us," I shrug to indicate my uselessness with words.
"Hey, no problem," he grins back. "You guys are my best friends.
"Hey, are we coming here on the Full Moon?" he asks, after a pause.
"Yeah," I nod. "Why not? Lily and Harry can come too, if they want. We probably won't leave the house. Moony will want reassurance that this is home now, and so will Devlin's alter ego."
"You're not going to give him a nickname too, are you?" Prongs grins.
I laugh,
"Dunno. None are forthcoming at the moment, but we'll see."
"I'd better get back," Prongs shrugs. "I'll probably see you tomorrow."
"Yeah sure," I agree. "Oh, heads up, I think Lily wants another kid."
"Really?" he looks bemused. "We don't even have a house…"
"Since when has something small like that stopped your wife?" I point out. "She'll just use it as an excuse to get your arse into gear."
He snorts,
"Thanks for the heads up, anyway."
I laugh and he Apperates away.
After a minute Moony enters the kitchen carrying a sleepy Devlin.
"I think someone's tired," Moony grins. "We need to drink this stuff, then he can go to bed."
"Drink?" Devlin blinks tiredly.
"Yeah," I smile gently. "Sorry, Devlin, but its good for you."
Moony scoops up his own wolfsbane as swallows it with a grimace,
"Urrgh… that is horrible," he informs me. "You'd think I'd get used to it."
I scoop up Devlin's and hand it to him,
"Drink it all up."
He sips a little and then looks up at us pitifully,
"Don't like it."
"I know," I tell him. "But you have to drink it, I'm sorry."
His bottom lip trembles but he does as he's told.
"Hey, good boy," I pull him into my arms.
"It's instead of having to sleep," Moony tells him gently.
"Because I'm a doggy?" he asks.
I look up at Moony, I didn't know Moony had tried to explain it to him.
"Yeah," Moony agrees. "That's why I take it too."
Devlin nods sleepily,
"Bed now, please."
Later
"You failed to mention that you had taught him manners and about being a werewolf," I murmur sit down on the sofa beside my Mate.
He chuckles,
"He picked it up rather quickly, didn't he? Quicker than you at any rate."
I snort with laughter,
"True. I was older though, and it only took a term."
"It would have been quicker if you weren't so…"
"If I wasn't a jerk?" I offer.
"Well, yeah," he laughs again. "I never thought we'd be like this back then."
"Me neither."
We fall silent.
"Did you give him more blankets?" my Mate murmurs as he snuggles up beside me.
I wrap my arms around him,
"Yeah, I did. I also lit the fire, and put up the guard. I left the door open and the landing light on."
"That's good," Moony manages to squirm onto my lap.
"You really like being cuddled, don't you?"
"You bet," Moony grins.
"I agree with Lily," I tell him.
"Hmm?"
"You are most positively the cutest guy in the entire Universe!"
He laughs, and looks up at me,
"Why, thank you!"
Author Notes:
Hmm… another long chapter, once again written on a whim when I really should be doing other things… Heh heh, never mind!
I know I have Remus think 'He hasn't been out of his cell for over a year' and that Sirius had him in the car and outside before they got home. I'm assuming that Devlin would be a bit to shocked and distracted to really acknowledge the outside world at the time, so the time in the garden is the first time he really notices the sky and so on…
Anyway:
Thanks to everyone who declared that Devlin is a cute name, I will pass on the thanks to the reader who suggested it!
Miss Anonymous hp: Lol, I have an unusual name, so maybe that's why I chose Black instead of Lupin… Cheney is French, so I am assuming it is pronounced Chen-ay, as is Chin, but with an 'e', and then 'a' as is 'a dog'. ;) To be honest, I'm not sure, but that's how I'm saying it!
AffectedMangoO: It is possible, but I haven't heard of it! I am working to keep up the Sirius-Remus fluff; you'll have to tell me if I start to falter… :)
Thanks again to everyone, and I'll try to update again soon!
