Chapter five: Surprise!

He came back to himself with a start. At some point Ron had found him and joined him silently on the floor. Harry had slipped sideways as the night wore on and was resting against Ron's shoulder, his forehead tucked into the crook of Ron's warm neck. Ron was asleep, his light snores ruffling Harry's hair, and his presence and support were worth more to Harry than all the gold in Gringotts. Ron had put up with his temper last year - which seemed to have survived the summer intact - and had fought beside him at the Ministry. Harry knew he could never repay the debts he owed his friend, and wondered what Ron would think if he knew Harry felt that he owed Ron something.

Ron snorted in his sleep and shifted, giving Harry the opportunity to sit up. It was dim in here, whatever the walls and ceiling were made of was extremely grimy and sunlight only came through in random pinpricks. There was something large sitting in the centre of the room, and Harry counted himself lucky that he hadn't run into it last night in his blind dash across the room.

"Harry?" Ron's voice was thick with sleep and he grunted an acknowledgement, sitting up properly and rubbing grimy hands over his face. Ron squinted at him in the dim light and then laughed.

"You look all streaky!" he exclaimed and Harry grinned back before launching himself at his friend and doing his best to rub his dirty hands all over Ron. The red head yelled and wrestled with him, both teens rolling over and over each other as they tried to get the upper hand. By the time they came to a stop they were covered in dust, giggling and snorting madly. Ron ruffled his hands through Harry's hair one last time and got off the smaller teen, reaching down to pull his friend upright.

"I guess you heard," Harry sighed when he caught Ron watching him closely. The Gryffindor nodded and stuck his hands in his pockets, his eyes not leaving Harry's face.

"I'm such an idiot, Ron," Harry sighed, "How could I say that to them?"

"We didn't hear the details, just the yelling. Mum came storming up to tell someone off - it wasn't real clear whom, and you streaked past like a blur. Your dad came thundering out moments later and collided with her. By the time the dust had settled you were upstairs somewhere and Mum was shrieking in shock. Sirius came out of his room and there was a huge row right there on the landing," Ron shook his head, "I didn't wait around to hear all the details, I thought I'd be better off looking for you."

"Thanks," Harry sighed, "It… it means a lot that you would…"

He trailed off and Ron nodded, grinning lightly at him. They weren't much for emotional talks - that was Hermione's area of expertise - but both teens knew without saying that they'd be there for each other, no matter what.

"I just lost it Ron," Harry scuffed a toe through the dust, "I said some pretty rotten things to them, and then ran away. I mean, I'm really happy they're alive, and that Sirius and Remus have them back but… all my life my parents have been strangers to me, people that I got told stories about. Now they're right here, where they can see me, and I don't know what to do."

"Why do you have to do anything? Look, I can't imagine what its like, but Harry, you don't have to impress them. Mum and Dad love us all no matter what - even Percy. That's what parents do, you know?" Ron patted Harry's shoulder, raising a cloud of dust and they laughed, the mood broken. Harry sneezed and turned; looking for the trap door he'd entered by.

"Come on, before we choke on this stuff," he muttered and together they hauled the door up and climbed through. He let Ron go first down the stairs, content to let his friend take the lead, and marvelled that he'd climbed through the two-storey attic with all of its interesting - and no doubt forbidden - boxes without noticing. They were soon back in the main area and had just rounded the corner when Mrs Weasley stepped out of the room she and her husband shared.

"Goodness!" she exclaimed and Harry muffled a laugh. They were both grey with dust, and had several finger smears on their faces and necks where they'd wrestled with each other. His glasses were positively filthy and he was contemplating getting into the shower with them still on, just to get them clean. She pulled her wand out and moments later they were dust free, skin tingling where the charm had cleaned it too. Harry's glasses had even been polished.

"Ron, I need a word with you. Go and have a shower, Harry," Molly beckoned her youngest son to follow her, and Harry hurried to get clean clothes and a towel. He was in and out of the bathroom quickly, and Ginny brushed past him on her way in as he headed for his shared room. Ron stood up as he entered and dumped his dirty clothes in the basket.

"Ginny's in there," Harry smiled when Ron groaned and threw himself back onto his bed theatrically, moaning about not having any hot water for his shower. Harry shrugged and declined a chess game to go look in on Sirius.

His godfather's door was closed, and he tapped on it softly before opening it and slipping inside. If Sirius was still asleep then Harry didn't want to disturb him, and if he were awake then they'd have a nice talk. The curtains were half open, and Harry peered at the bed, unable to figure out what he was seeing. There was a movement and he gasped as the two men kissing on the bed came clearly into focus. They jolted apart and Harry gaped at his godfather and Remus.

There was a moment of silence, during which the two older men blushed and looked at each other with worry. Harry saw fear in the eyes that met his and realised that what he said next would either make or break his relationship with these two.

"You're in love?" it was half question, half statement, and Sirius nodded, gripping Remus hand tightly. The werewolf had been half lying on top of him, indulging him in an early morning kiss when Harry walked in without knocking properly. His former professor sat up now, not breaking the grip their hands had on each other.

"Yes we are," Remus said quietly, "Very much so."

Harry felt a smile crawl all over his face, and he let instinct guide him. In moments he was hugging them both, mumbling words of approval and being hugged back. He'd worried that they were so alone, and had been for so long. Both men needed someone who understood their past, who would know their secrets without needing to pry and ask. That they'd found it in each other was perfect - neither man would have to learn to share his friend with someone else.

"I'll knock louder next time, and count to ten," he teased as he pulled back. Sirius laughed and slapped at him lightly while Remus smiled and relaxed.

"Don't get cheeky Cub," Sirius warned, "All I have to do is tell the twins I saw you looking at Ginny…"

"I'll be good," Harry promised hastily, "Promise!"

"Leave him alone Snuffles," Remus chided, and Sirius pouted like a small child. Harry sat on the edge of the bed and took his godfathers free hand in his. There was colour in his face and a twinkle in his eyes that had been missing ever since he escaped Azkaban. If that was what loving his friend did then Harry was not going to say or do anything that might jeopardise the relationship.

"Thanks, Moony," he smiled at the werewolf, and was granted one of Remus' shy smiles back.

"I knew it - you're ganging up on me," Snuffles whimpered pathetically and Harry winked at his co-conspirator happily. Remus winked back and Sirius squeezed Harry's hand to get his attention.

"Are you alright, Cub? We heard the row," his godfather looked at him closely and Harry sighed. He had a feeling he'd let these two down by reacting so poorly. After all, they had lived with the Potters long before Harry had, and knew exactly what he was missing. He should have at least tried to be more mature about welcoming his parents back to life, but at the same time a part of him was whining that he was still a teenager - why did he have to do all the work. It was so confusing!

"I don't know what to think," he confessed, "It's all too much. I'm so happy that they're alive, and at the same time so angry they didn't tell me. At least with them here, you'll be able to clear your name Snuffles."

"I don't think they'll be going out in public, Cub," Sirius said gently, "But that's ok, I can wait a while. Harry… we wanted to tell you…."

"Dumbledore had a block up for all the owls," Harry interrupted, "I know why you didn't. It's ok, really. I just wish I hadn't been such an ass yesterday."

"It will take a bit of adjustment from you all," Remus spoke up, "James and Lily have to get used to the idea that the baby they held in their arms is no longer around. It must be hard for them too."

"I guess," Harry hadn't thought of that, and made up his mind to be a little more patient. He'd apologise when he saw them next, and they could all take it from there. Sirius tugged him into a hug, and Harry felt Remus join it as well. He'd only had a few hugs in his life, but he knew this one was special - it spoke of safety and protection. He smiled when they let go and got up.

"I'm going downstairs," he headed for the door, "I'll see you both later?"

He was waved out the door, and closed it quietly behind him. As he headed downstairs to the kitchen he reflected that he couldn't take many more surprises this week.

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