Chapter 10: Discoveries

Harry visited Kingsley the next morning while Remus passed a few hours with the Weasley twins at their shop. Harry was wary of leaving Remus home alone while he was still weak, and the twins were more than happy to have Mr. Moony of the marauders visit their shop.

The meeting went well and Harry and Kingsley planned to meet the next week to carry out a sting. If there was one thing the auror couldn't stand it was corruption in his department.

That same morning Sirius Black was taken to St. Mungos suffering from a seriously disfigured hand. The bone-crushing curse had almost missed, but he'd been distracted when another auror was hit and this was the result. It hurt like hell, but it would be a good excuse to see his favorite healer.

A few words to the nurse and said healer was bustling into his room all business. He couldn't help but think how good she looked in her lime healer's robes.

"Sirius! What happened?" she asked, making his heartbeat fast with the smile she gave him.

"Ah, I wasn't paying enough attention, Mione." He said, giving her his best puppy dog eyes.

She laughed. "Don't worry, I'll get that fixed up in no time."

"Nothing like having your own personal healer. I hope we have a house call coming up."

A shock ran through him as she took his hand and waved her wand over it, muttering under her breath as the pain left his hand.

He watched her closely for signs that she might be as flustered as he was by the physical contact but other than a slight blush her face was unreadable.

"There you go." she said, not moving her hand but lowering her wand, "Do try to stay out of trouble, Sirius. We need you around."

"I'll do my best," he said, smiling up at her and brushing her hand as he pulled his own back. "I'd better get back to check on Harry and Remus, I hope they are getting along okay."

Hermione nodded. "I'm sure they've found some common ground," she said vaguely.

Sirius apparated to the edge of the garden and entered the cottage. Ever since Harry was a little boy Sirius had found much amusement out of tackling him in dog form. As Harry had gotten older it had become a routine. Both of them were much more comfortable with him showing affection as a slobbering dog. Without making any noise he became Padfoot and trotted down the hall to find his godson.

He came to the door of Harry's room and was happy to find it open a crack. After all, he was in no shape to turn the knob. Before he could go barreling in, however, he saw something that made him stop in his tracks.

His godson was stretched out in bed, but he was not alone. Instead, he was wrapped up in Remus Lupin's arms. Silently he watched as Harry spoke quietly to Remus.

"I know you're worried," Harry said, taking one of Remus's hands in his, "but I can't stand the thought of somebody hurting you again."

Sirius watched frozen as his friend kissed his godson soundly. "I know Harry, we've just got to be careful. Harry I…" the werewolf hesitated, "I couldn't stand it if anything happened to you either."

The pair on the bed continued to talk quietly, kissing and holding each other and Sirius could only thank Merlin that they both remained fully clothed. He had certainly not seen this coming.

Suddenly Harry sat up. "We better go out the living room and look busy, Sirius should be home soon."

Remus nodded. "Good idea, I wouldn't want him to find out just yet." Neither man noticed the large black dog creeping quietly away from the door.

Sirius decided that he needed a few minutes before he faced his godson and his best friend. He couldn't help but think that all this shock wasn't good for him, maybe he'd ask Healer Granger for a private consultation. No, he wasn't quite ready for that, although he supposed under the circumstances Harry would have a hard time objecting. He sighed as he realized that little piece of truth had to work both ways.

In the last little while he had been feeling his age in some ways. He was tired of casual dates with vapid witches who only read Witch Weekly. Since Hermione had graduated from Hogwarts she had spent a lot of time at the cottage where they had often engaged in rather heated discussions of everything from potions theory to medi-magical ethics. He couldn't help but notice that the little girl with the bushy hair had grown into a beautiful and successful young woman. He knew there was something special there, and he was willing to take things slowly if he had to.

If he was honest with himself he knew that if it was okay for him to pursue a relationship with Hermione then he couldn't object to Remus pursuing a relationship with Harry. It could be worse. He knew Harry had a thing for older men, at least it wasn't Snape he had taken up with. He knew despite the werewolf's long absence that Remus was a good man and he would never intentionally hurt Harry.

Plan A, the one where he stormed the cottage and let his over-protectiveness take over, was out. Hitting Remus certainly wouldn't help the situation. Besides, he wouldn't dare explain that injury to Hermione, he'd be too ashamed.

Plan B was an option. In this plan he greeted Harry and Remus, sat them down and told them that he knew about their relationship.

He was leaning towards plan C. This was where he pretended to just get home and then spend the coming weeks torturing the two of them in any way possible. Yes, plan C it was, after all he couldn't help but be a bit hurt they didn't tell him in the first place.

Sirius took a deep breath and slipped around the front of the house. Changing into Padfoot once again he barreled through the door and landed on top of Harry who was reading on the couch.

"Sirius! Uggh dog breath, get off." Harry said, but gave him a scratch behind the ears anyhow.

Sirius changed back, and lounged on the floor. Time for Plan C. "So, what have you two been up to while I've been away? I hope you've been getting along okay."

"Oh, um, we've mostly been talking quidditch and Remus has been telling me about your most embarrassing moments." Harry said with a blush, while Remus carefully studied the upholstery.

Bingo! Sirius thought. "Did he tell you how embarrassed I was when I caught him in the quidditch shed with Fabian Prewitt?"

Remus started to choke on his tea, while Harry just raised an eyebrow. "No, he left that out. I can see I'm going to have to hear some of your stories as well."

Sirius smiled. "You know Harry, I think this is the happiest I've seen you in a while." Sirius was glad that was the truth. Harry did seem content.

Harry just shrugged, so Sirius continued.

"I never realized how lonely you must be while I'm away. Not any more. I'm going to make it my mission to find you a man. You know, there is a young guy in one of the other squads. I'm sure he plays for your team. I'll invite him over to dinner this week!" Sirius said, jumping up and snapping his fingers for emphasis as if he had just had the greatest idea ever.

He would definitely have to see the look on Harry's face in the pensive again later. It was priceless.

The young man began to sputter, "Ohh, um, no, that's okay Sirius. I'm really not looking right now."

Sirius shrugged, "Okay, whatever. Maybe we can have Hermione over instead?"

Harry looked at his godfather suspiciously, there was something strange going on, he just wasn't sure what.