Chapter 30: Summer In The Sun

**Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire**

I yawned and stretched, sticking my toes out from under the bottom of the cover as I opened my eyes. I sat up in the bed, looking around and seeing my childhood bedroom brightening as the sun was rises in my mother's home. I gave my body a final stretch before I climbed out, sliding my feet into my slippers before leaving the room to get some food in my belly. I freed my house-elves after my mother died, but for some reason, the one that helped raise me refused to leave.

She was in the kitchen, already fixing up an omelet for me and I cleared my throat, scaring her to death it seemed. "Oh! Good morning Miss Phoebe! Breakfast is almost ready!" I shook my head and walked over, taking the pan from her tiny hands. "Livy, how many times do I need to tell you that I'm not the master anymore? You are free and can go live your life as you see fit. I only ask that it does not become known that my mother has passed away. Other than that, do whatever your heart wants. I don't need any help with anything." I tossed in some peppers, mushrooms and cheese and glanced at her waiting patiently on me to finish.

I asked her for a plate and rolled it onto the plate in a neat roll and she popped away, taking it to the already set table I was sure. I poured two glasses of orange juice and floated them with an extra plate behind me as I grabbed the other food she had already prepared before I woke up. She was just about to the leave when I sat the food down and stopped her. "You fixed all this food and I cannot eat it all. So you will have breakfast with me, Livy." she went to protest and I held up my hand. "If you refuse to be a free elf and leave as you please….then you will be a guest in this house and have meals with me as any other guest would."

I gave her a smile and sat her down, cutting the omelet in half and placed some of the other food onto the extra plate I brought and slid the orange juice toward her. "Please, eat." I sat beside her and waited for her to take a bite before fixing my own plate. We ate in silence, enjoying the sound of the ocean outside and the jungle behind the house beginning to stir as the sun rose higher into the sky. "Is the Miss worried about what everyone is going to say when they find out your mother is gone?" I shook my head, using my magic to clean the table.

"Livy, she has been gone for years, but we are so far off the path and away from everyone that no one has ever thought about it. No one ever knew her after she fell in love with my father…not even me. She was a completely different person and it was easy to keep up that she was still alive." "What about your mother's family?" "Most are too busy with their lives to worry about the outcast daughter and her cursed child. Others I don't believe care. It's nothing to worry about Livy, just act as though she is still alive and well living her life here." Livy didn't ask anymore questions and just trusted me as I changed and walked out onto the front porch.

To the front of our estate was a perfectly private white sand beach and to the rear was thick jungle that held all types of exotic creatures. There was apparently an old family friend of my mother's that was the son of the famous magizoologist named Newt Scamander that relocated his father's creatures here. They stayed hidden and I don't bother them, instead I walked down to the beach until I was knee deep. I loved the way the water felt against my skin, having missed this weather after being at Hogwarts for so long. I tossed my skirt off and shirt also, having my swim suit on under and dove under the water.

I used the air bubble spell and began to swim around, admiring the sea creatures and fish around me. I went to go swim toward a cave I caught a glimpse of, when a huge bird dove into the water beside my head. It's claws burst my bubble and I held my nose as I surfaced, gasping and coughing. I turned to see the bird take back to the sky and then landed safely on the beach, cocking it's head at me. I noticed the letter on the leg and hurried over, wondering who would be sending me a letter. The bird waited patiently as I removed the letter and called for Livy.

"Could you give this animal a treat and some water before he has to travel back to wherever he came come, please, if you aren't busy." She happily agreed and half-way ushered the bird, a worried look on her face. I opened the letter and saw a familiar writing staring back at me. A huge smile appeared on my face as I read the words he had wrote just for me.

**Letter**

Dearest Phoebe…oh how I am enjoying this beautiful bright sunrise…and yet I feel as though I am lost in the darkness without you with me. As I cannot bring myself to face the world as I am still wanted, I extend my hand for you to join me for the summer until we must part again. Please return with your answer with the bird, he will not leave until he gets a return letter.

PS: You are always in my thoughts and dreams. You are my heart and soul. I love you.

**End Letter**

I held the letter tight in my fingers as I took off into the house, grabbing a parchment to write a response. I paused before my quill hit the paper. What was I going to say? I wanted to see him, to be with him. But I didn't know where he was. And I was needed here to keep up with the ruse that my mother was still alive. I couldn't leave it all to Livy, it was wrong of me. I sighed, chewing my lip and trying to figure out how to tell him that I couldn't join him, even though it was the most difficult thing I've done in a while. I tapped my fingers on the counter for what seemed like hours before it dawned on me.

I quickly drummed out a letter and rush over to the stable that housed our creatures and animals for post. Livy was filling a bowl of water for the bird, as it was munching on the food she had already put out for it. "Livy, please attach this to the bird's leg before it takes off. And I will prepare us a mid-morning snack for helping me out." her ears perked up and she shook her head back and forth. "Oh no miss. Please let me do that. It doesn't bother me." I rolled my eyes and went back to the house, ignoring her pleas as she attached the letter.

I entered the kitchen and grabbed a variety of fruits to fix up a fruit salad. I cut it up and tossed it in a bowl before setting up the table for us as she popped in, saying she sent the bird off with the letter. We ate in silence, but it was nice, not awkward. Livy asked if she could go out for a while and I shook my head, telling her she didn't have to ask my permission to do anything anymore, she was free. She thanked me over and over until I ushered her out, telling her to enjoy her life and come back any time she wanted, that she always had a home here.

I roamed the house for a while, letting memories run through me as I tried to remember anything about my mother being an actual mother. I gave up as I realized that memory was impossible. The sun was high in the sky and I was laying on the beach getting back to my natural dark tan skin like I used to be. I heard a sound and looked up from my spot to see the same bird circling and swooping down toward me again. It landed beside me and stuck out it's leg, which held a ball of paper crumpled so badly and thrown into the holder. I pulled it out and the bird took off, leaving me with the paper in the sun.

I opened and read it, before re-reading and then running into the house. I swung open the door and saw Sirius standing in front of me, dusting off his clothing from the floo network. I couldn't stop myself from running over and throwing myself at him, surprising him. He caught me before we both toppled over onto the floor with a laugh. I kissed him hard, gripping his jacket so tight I thought I would rip it. I pulled away and noticed that he wasn't as thin as before, his face seemed more full now. I brushed his hair from his face and stared into his eyes, seeing the love he held for me in them.

"Now that's a greeting I could get used it." he laughed and pulled us both up, not bothering to finish dusting himself off. His hands traveled around my waist and pulled me tight against his body. I felt my body begin to heat up, desire seeping into me, I hid a moan as I leaned into his kiss. We broke apart and he gave me a devilish grin, like he used to and I rolled my eyes, stepping out of his reach with a sigh. "So I may have rushed over…it seems as I was unable to wait to be with you again." he said and gestured to the soot covered floor. "I don't even care. I'm just so happy that you are alive Sirius!" I paused and held out my hand. "But now that you are here and alive…I would like to see just how alive you are…"