CHAPTER 5

Daddy's home

"Settle Down Boys" Hermione warned her nephew and her son, as they went rocketing Past her. When Harry Had come home the night before The house had been filed with such relief and joy. James had stood there for a moment like a tough little solider And Harry had stood staring back. Then Harry had gotten down on his knees, eye level with his son and clasped him to his chest in a fierce hug. Both had wept, witch had brought tears to everyone else's eyes. The haunted and unhappy little boy of the past week had disappeared to be replaced by this exuberant and shining little tyke. In other words he Nephew seemed to have returned to his normal self.

"Aunt Hermy Da said he's going to take me pixie hunting! Can Remus come too… Please, Please, Please." Hermione frowned although hunting and caging pixies was a rather tame past time, a pixie in a nasty mood could Harm a small child. It was a game usually played by older children. She knew James had been wanting to pixie hunt for years, the decree had been not till he was much older. So what Had changed? Well that was a rather dense question, Harry had changed. Perhaps he felt guilty still and wanted to make up for his breakdown. Hermione sighed. Although she didn’t much like the idea of her own son squirming about in fields catching aggravated pixies, she didn’t relish the sulking and tantrum that would fallow if she said no.

"Is your Dad Going with you, Remus?" She patted down his tousled mane of russet Brown hair, which seemed to be lightning every day. Her Precious little boy was such a perfect mix of her and Ron who wouldn’t love him. He Had Ron's eyes, sense of humor and streak of extreme loyalty. He had a mix of both their Hair creating a rich red brown, and her brains which pleased her. Remus could be happy one minute on a wild Adventure with James, and equally happy curled up with a book. Maybe his name, although a sentiment gifted because not only had Lupin aided Bill in his time of greatest need he had also saved both their lives, was perfectly placed. Not only did they slightly resemble each other they had much the same attitudes. Who knew if you put seemingly reluctant bravery with book smarts you got Remus.

"Na, dads still at work, He wont be home in time. Can I go Please Mum!" Remus and James stared up at her with wide eyes brimming with hopefulness. Little boys would be the death of her she just knew it. "Alright, but you stay right with Harry And do exactly as he says!" She didn’t know why she bothered, both boys had let out a whoop of joy and were already half way out of the room. "I wanna come to I wanna come To." A voice piped from the door way, Lillian stood there hands on her small hips a tapping one foot. Sometimes Hermione wondered where her Daughter had sprung from although only three she was already a handful.

Oh she recognized here or there traits from her and Ron. She had Ron's, stubbornness and his pride, and his pension for getting into trouble, and she definitely had Hermione's willingness to learn. She also had inherited her childhood arrogance, feeling that knowledge made her superior some how over others. Where her Bold, competitive, and rash nature had come from she didn’t know. In short she knew her daughter to simply be sugar and spice and all that was nice. Unfortunately she also had a bucket load frog and snails and puppy dog tails to match. Thank the lord she wasn’t one of those mothers, who dressed their daughters in all sorts of frilly outfits and such. Lillian would never stand for it.

"No Lillian, this can be dangerous and your to young" Hermione said firmly, even though she knew it would do little good. Lillian's little mouth pinched and she shook her head stubbornly. "Is not! Pixies are not Scary, a baby could catch um!" She admonished crossing her arms in a fierce position. Hermione would have laughed at any other time. "Remus, mums right, Lian, you could get hurt." Remus said advised softly. His pet name for Lillian from day one, having been unable to pronounce her name for the longest time had been Lian. Remus protected and loved his little sister, no matter how much she exasperated him. Unfortunately for this big brother, she didn’t fell she needed his protection.

"I can do anything you can do Remus, even if I am a girl!" Lillian scowled at her brother stomping one tiny foot. Remus frowned and looked beseechingly up at his mother. Hermione sighed, as much as she teased Ron their daughter had him wrapped around her pinky she truly wasn’t any better. "Be careful please"

Their was a scurry of excitement, laughter and childish giggling. As the three children pelted out the door way, nearly Hitting Tonks on her way in. She smiled fondly at the children before turning to Hermione. Today her hair was a playful pink and it hung nearly to her shoulders in wild waves. Her smile was bright even though she held a squirming, and temperamental Sirius in her arms. He kicked at her grumpily and sucked harshly on his fingers. Where Lillian as a three year old was all brass and bravery Sirius was, well different. He tried to keep up with his brother and even Lillian but he failed more often then not.

Hermione sighed, Had Harry even thought to invite Sirius along? So was the curse of the younger sibling Daddies first was usually Daddy's Favorite. "so James roped Remus into coming along I see?" Tonks asked nonchantely placing an increasingly grumpy Sirius on the ground where his moody kicking could do much less harm to her stomach. Hermione smiled and nodded, opened her mouth to speak when Sirius let out a squall. "Where JAMES! I WANT JAMES!" Tonks placed a comforting hand on the little boys head, only to have him loll sideways onto the floor to avoid her touch.

"he'll be back Sirius, Pixie hunting can be dangerous." Tonks consoled. Sirius glared at her seeing it for the thin excuse it was. "I want papa" He whimper softly. Both women's heart broke for the little boy, they were concentrating on his troubles so much, both were startled when Harry spoke. "hey there little guy, what's all the tears about" Sirius blinked away tears staring up at his father from the floor. "you love James" He whispered again.

Harry bent down to kneel beside his Son. He brushed aside his tangle of red Hair, and spoke softly. "yes I do love James, but never more then you Sirius. James is my first born something you can never be true, but you’re my second my youngest my little guy. Something he can never be. And I do want you with us. I love you Sirius, even when you cant see me, or no where I am. Even if I do things that confuse or hurt you…I don’t mean to do them. I never wanted to hurt you. I love you and I want to have this day with you. No one loves you more then I do. Remember that"

Sirius curled his tiny arms around his fathers neck snuggling as close to him as possible. Their was something so sad about Harry in that moment, it was in the way he touched things. Yesterday he had walked through the house touching things as if this would be his last time to do so. He had held onto Ginny like he expected her to disappear. And just now he spoke as if this were the last few moments he had to convey his love to his son. Even if I do things that confuse or hurt you… he spoke as if he knew that he was about to wound his children.

Hermione shivered.

"You had best be satisfied Mrs. Lupin! You had just Best. I cant belive I'm giving up the story of the century. What that devilish peace of dirt Gregory wouldn’t give to be in my place" Ginny found it too hard not to burst into laughter at the young reporters ire as the folded laundry. Well as she and Luna folded laundry, with expertise flicks of her wand she had cloths zooming around in neat piles. Tonks had never been much of a homemaker. She was simply there for the company.

"Thanks for inviting me over Ginny, by the way. You saved my bacon. I would have had to stay with the Jenkins." Luna shuddered as if the very thought left her with unpleasant chills. In the corner Tonks stifled a giggle with a delicate cough. Ginny just grinned. "are you kidding, anything for you Luna, after all you did for us? Housing you is the least we could do after ll…" Ginny found herself cutoff as a loud thump sounded above them and peals of childish laughter rang out through the house. The thumping continued, and admits the children's excited voices she could hear Harry's. His name whispered like a caress in her mind, her husband was her life line. He was everything, she couldn’t bring herself to relive the pain the absolute terror she'd felt when she watched him raise a wand to their son.

She shivered slightly, and pushed the image from her mind. If anyone deserved at least one mental break down it was Harry. He was so lost at times, so distant she tried her best to reach him but he pulled away. As if he had become afraid to touch her. But this weak, he had loved her with everything in him. In the day he nearly assaulted her with touches, with endearments gifts and kisses, at night he was raw untamed emotion. She blushed slightly at the memories, Her husband acted as if this last week was all he was ever going to have of her. Well he could just stuff that, cause Ginny wasn’t going anywhere. And neither was Luna, her brother had been loose and fancy free for far to long. And judging by Fred' odd behavior around Luna that was sure to end. Besides it was funny to watch them dance around each other.

"Fred I was just thinking about you!" Luna exclaimed in delight as Fred came skittering through the door way. His color was high and his red hair wild from what looked like a wrestling match. "really" the word burst out so needy and hopeful that Tonks was once again suffering a coughing fit, and Ginny didn’t bother to hide her Grin. Fred stiffened and set his Jaw in a hard line. "I mean we need to barrow some socks, I had Ron's team on the ropes but he freed James and harry by pelting enchanted oven mitts at us. I need ammunition" He said it like he was on some important mission all seriousness. Ginny laughed at him. Luna's eyes went wide with wonder.

"What are you playing?" She asked staring up at him, moving closer to him. Fred was obviously uncomfortable with him being so close he edged backwards. "This isnt a game Woman this is serious, their killing my team mates up there! Hurry" He commanded like a leading officer. Luna snapped to attention a playful gleam in her eyes. "yes sir, lieutenant Lovegood reporting for Duty, or should I be lieutenant Weasly, girls weren't allowed in the eleven armies unless they were married so I guess I'm stuck as your wife." She beamed up at him as if she'd just announced he was St john Fred visibly gulped, backing away slightly. "yeah um whatever come on bring socks"

Ginny and Tonks waited till they were out of the room a basket full of socks whizzing along behind them before giving into snickers and giggles. "the poor Boy" Tonks sighed into her hands, Ginny tossed her a grin. "it makes me wonder does she even realize what she's doing, it would be scary If she did" And with that saucy grin, Ginny beckoned for Tonks to fallow her. "lets go help our husbands in the sock war, it sounds as if the kids are wining.

This was war, two sides two targets. Each army had a king, the king must be protected at all costs, and he was a man on a mission. Fred ducked for his life as a sock enchanted to have rave beady evil looking eyes charged him from across the room. When it failed to hit him, he turned to the other side of the battlefield, better known as the living room. George grinned over at him, holding a lifeless sock already putting a living charm on it. Fred cast out around him for a weapon but Remus had already grabbed the nearest oven mitt and was diving in behind a couch. "Theirs no escape for you brother, no escape!" George taunted. Fred grinned at him, there was only one thing for him to do. "Accio George" There was a sharp yelp of surprise, as his twin was jerked off his feet and went zooming towards Fred. Before George could slam into him, Fred dived to the floor so that George hit the back end of an easy chair and lay sprawled on the ground.

"that’s probably the one hundredth time you've fallen for that" Fred Grinned saucily. George smiled rubbing his arms. "Actually you feel for the trick" George said pointing to something behind Fred. Fred whirled around only to find it was to late. Ron stood several feet behind him grinning like a she demon. The monster of all socks was heading his way. It Had been enchanted to have evil glowing eyes, spindly ropy arms and a set of tiny razor teeth. Teeth that would give the mother load of all Pinches once it hit you. So this was the end, how had it come to this…

"FRED NO!" he turned his head, his body moving as if in slow motion. Their was a blur of movement all he could make out was a streak of shining blonde hair. Luna. She was diving towards him arms stretched out like a bat ready to take the blow for him. He couldn’t let her he just couldn’t, but it was already too late. She was in front of him and the sock of death hit her square in the chest. She tetterd un evenly on her feet, Fred reached out to catch her Had the sock actually hurt her? It was just supposed to pinch. She collapsed against him, and unready for dead weight the both went toppling to the ground in a tangle of arms and legs. She was on top of him those silver Grey eyes pools that he was becoming certain he wouldn’t mind drowning in.

Tonks was creeping behind enemy lines unseen The enemy king thought he was well hidden, but Sirius's red hair stuck out like a beacon from among the dust of the couch. She giggled softly, this really was a lot of fun. Playing with the kids wasn’t as overrated as most adults seemed to think . With A flick of her wand she had a sock in her hand ready to go in for the kill. When suddenly she was being jerked backwards from behind. She let out a cry of surprise, untill she recognized those warm hands. She turnd to face her husband who smiled a teasing smile at her.

"I'm afraid I cant let you assassinate my king, not even for you" He smiled down at her. Their was a familiar glint in his eyes, and she smiled back. "what if I Traded you something?" She asked, a purr of suggestion in her voice. Remus laughed at her, he let a hand touch her cheek. "I have a little more honor then that, my kings life for a kiss you insult me!" Sirius poked his head out from beneath the shelter. "Don’t trade me for a KISS!" he pleaded, then dived back under the couch as a sock narrowly missed his head. Tonks burst into laughter, Remus grinned down at her. From behind Remus Tonks could see Ginny sneaking up, Tonks grinned and tossed Remus a promising look.

"Then I suppose I'll just have to give you one for free." She didn’t wait for his permission, not that she thought he wouldn’t give it. She kissed him, pouring every playful and loving touch they'd ever had into one single kiss. She loved, him he was wonderful special and she intended to show him. There was also the upside of his distraction from Ginny pelting a sock of death at her son. Who let out an outraged "HEY THANKS A LOT UNCLE REMUS NOW I GOT KILLDED!" Remus Jerked away from her in surprise. The little boy stood there hands on hips glaring at him in reproach. Remus colored slightly and Tonks found herself once again laughing for Joy. Ginny laughed, "poor Remus Betrayed with a kiss" He turned to her a smile on his face, "Judas!" he teased. She blew him a kiss.

Now that Sirius had been "killed" and the battle won, any sock already in the air fell lifeless. James and Remus where in a wrestling match on the floor, James wacking poor Remus with a pair of long johns. And Remus armed with and oven mitt, they looked up and sighed in disappointment. George was by a chair coming out of a fight with Bill and harry was ceasing combat the Fluer who had been Guarding Lillian king of their army. And Fred was currently…what were they doing? Tonks pressed a hand to her mouth, holding back laughter, which she knew was a loosing battle.

His eyes she decided where like chocolate, she loved chocolate. Any boy with chocolate eyes was worth keeping around. He was also warm, she could feel his body heat and that made her think of melting chocolate on a hot summer day. "Fred?" she questioned softly. She had no idea how long they'd lay like this draped over each other. But his hands where in her hair and it gave her the most wonderfully warm feeling to have them there. He was looking at her as if she was the chocolate and he was a little kid and he was drawing her closer and….Their was a face in the window.

She jumped up a and flew at it with a shriek. She jerked open the window in anger. "Gregory JENKINS YOU LOUSY NO GOOD TRAITOR! HOW DARE YOU" She raised her wand and sent a Twisty leg Hex at his retreating Back.

"LUNA STOP!" But it was too late he let out a cry of surprise as his legs folded in on themselves and began to twirl and twist as if to their own music. "AND I ABSOULTY REFUSE TO MERRY YOU!" She slammed the window shut and turned to see every one staring at her. Fred gapped at her opened mouthed. "What?"