Chapter Eighteen

AN: Hello! I'm so sorry this is late, I've been doing some ground work on my fics and this one got away from me a bit. Anyway, let me know what you think! More to come.

Sirius padded lightly across the bedroom floor, skirting his abandoned jeans and shirt, left on the golden boards from the night before. He was careful to give the garland that wound across the chest at the end of the bed a wide berth. The rich almond and coconut smells of the hawthorn and gorse he had decorated the flat with made him smile, but the idea of getting any part of his naked skin too close to the wicked thorns was not a pleasing one.

The night had been perfect. They went out for dinner, Remus let him pay, they had drunk wine and laid on the roof to watch the stars. Sirius had cast a series of complex meteorological charms to push back the light pollution that reduced London's skies to burnt orange in the night and let the crystal starlight press through. They went to bed and spent hours entwined in the sheets.

A perfect Beltane night.

Except he still hadn't told Moony.

Sirius had hoped the words would come to him in the weeks that passed since he asked Lily to accompany him. He leant against the bathroom tiles under the shower and sighed. It just had to be done, and damn the words.

Remus was blearily rubbing his face and trying to look awake when Sirius returned with tea and toast for him. He rescued his own mug of strong, black coffee as he handed Remus the tray.

'Mo – orning' Remus yawned.

'Morning, love.'

Sirius folded onto the foot of the bed, drawing his knees up and leaning against the foot board.

'I'm going out with Lily this morning, I wondered if you want to come with me to theirs?'

Remus frowned at him around his 'kiss the prefect' mug, 'What are you two up to?'

Sirius swallowed a mouthful of too hot coffee, 'She's doing me a favour.'

Remus always knew. He put his mug down on the bedside table, 'Tell me everything Padfoot.'

Sirius rubbed his face with his hand, 'We're meeting Pollux and Arcturus.' He caught Remus' gaze, 'Pollux told me at the Wizengamot, they want to talk. To discuss the future of the family, and my part in it.'

'And you are taking Lily?' There was a hint of venom in Remus' voice now, and Sirius felt another stab of guilt.

'Yes.'

'Why?'

'Because she doesn't know the whole of it, and you or James would be as angry and likely to start a fight as I am. Because my first instinct will be to protect her, rather than blow up the old cunts. Because – '

'Because you want to hear what they have to say.' Remus cut him off flatly. 'This is what you meant by, if you were clever neither of us would have to work ever again.'

Sirius could feel Remus coming to conclusions and the conversation getting away from him, like the floor was tilting out from under his feet. He threw himself forward, mindful of his coffee and not throwing it all over the bed and caught Remus' hand. He tugged on it to make Remus look at him.

'I do want to hear what they have to say, because I'm curious and they are desperate. Because without reinstating me, the family dies with them.' Remus tried to look away and Sirius tugged his wrist again, 'But if you say now that you don't want me to go. I'll floo Arcturus and cancel. Tell them as far as they are concerned, I changed my name to Potter six and a half years ago and they can all go hang.'

He meant it, every single word. He always did.

Remus was watching him, the old, hard and icy expression in his eyes from when they thought each other the spy, from when Sirius sent Snape to the Willow, from every time Sirius had proven that he was the monstrous Pure-Blood he fought so hard not to be. It was all Sirius could do to hold that eye contact, hold his mind wide open if Remus wanted to look and see how much he meant it.

Remus looked down at his toast, 'What happens to us?'

Sirius didn't play coy, he knew what Remus meant, 'Any deal they want to make has to include you.'

'Sirius, you know they won't accept that. These are the men that married your parents.'

'True. But I'm already out.' Remus snorted a laugh, 'Ha ha, yes. Very funny. I meant of the family, but yeah also that. And I figure if you agree to marry me before I'm reinstated there's shit all they can do about it.'

That stopped him laughing.

'What?'

'Marry me.'

'Sirius…'

'Marry me, right now.'

Remus rolled his eyes, exasperated but smiling, 'I can't marry you right now. You don't have a dress, or rings, or… a church. We can't even get married in a church.'

Sirius laughed then, 'Your Muggle churches with your daft rules. No, we'll do all that stuff later. Lily would kill me if I denied her the chance to be at our wedding. Weddings and marriage aren't the same thing.'

'Merlin's Beard that's probably the most profound and adult thing you have ever said.'

Sirius waggled his eyebrows, 'I think you'll find the most adult thing I have ever – mrphd! Remus shoved a slice of toast into his mouth.

He bit off a piece and handed the rest of the slice back, 'Anyway. Marry me. I know how to do it.'

'This is one of those Ancient and Noble things isn't it?'

Sirius nodded, sitting up and folding his legs, 'A Handfasting. It lasts as long as we choose, a year and a day, three years, nine years or forever.'

'What happens when the time is up?' Remus was looking curious now, in spite of himself, Sirius thought.

'We can do it again.' He smiled, winningly.

Remus glanced down to where their hands still touched on the bed, 'What would it mean, Sirius?'

'That as far as Magical law is concerned, we are married. That no magic in all the world can part us before it's done. Neither of us can be coerced into marrying anyone else or doing anything to hurt the other that we don't want to.'

'Why have you never mentioned this before?'

'Because I didn't think.' He grinned, these words were the only words he had ever said that mattered, nothing in his whole life had been more important than right now and these words, and finally he had the right ones.

'This isn't about my family Rem. I love you. I want you, I have done since we were kids. I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you before I even knew I was into men, or anyone, frankly.'

Sirius brough Remus' hand to his lips and kissed, 'Remus John "Moony" Lupin. Please will you marry me?'

Sirius stepped out of the fireplace at the Potters' first, moving quickly to the side and brushing the soot off the open black robes he wore.

'Merlin-fuck!' James' startled shout came from the sitting room doorway, and Sirius jerked his head up, reaching for the wand tucked neatly into his jacket pocket. The he realised James was staring at him.

Remus stepped out of the fireplace and took in James' expression, 'Ah, yes. I know.'

Sirius looked from one to the other, 'What?'

James crossed the room and caught his wrist. Sirius allowed himself to be towed out into the grand entrance hall and stood in front of the ornate, wall height, gilded mirror. He hadn't looked in the mirror before they left. He'd been avoiding them in general since Azkaban. He knew now why James had sworn.

He wore another pristine, extortionately expensive suit. The obsidian black material was cut slim and accentuated his height. The shirt was grey, the tie was black to match the waistcoat and suit. The robes made his shoulders broader, his hair had grown out a little, but not enough to tie back.

He'd always been told he looked like his father, had seen it in his own face sometimes. Today it was like looking at a portrait with tiny, deliberate mistakes. There was something in the height of his cheekbones, and the way the flesh beneath hadn't fully filled out since Azkaban that screamed Walburga, but there was no denying who he was.

He caught Remus' eye in the reflection for a moment and the relief that followed his nod nearly made him vomit there and then.

Sirius' reflection grinned at James, 'Not too shabby, eh?'

James grinned back, 'That's ruined it, perfect.'

'Is Lils ready?'

'No.' She called from the grand stairs, 'I need to go change.'

Sirius turned and smiled, 'I think you look lovely.'

She wore a navy-blue dress, with a little Peter Pan collar and a high waisted, short circle skirt that flared as she ran down the last turn of the stairs. She had paired it with high brown leather boots and a belted coat. She had pulled the top part of her hair back, the deep red curls bright against the dress.

'I'm underdressed, next to you.'

James kissed her cheek, 'You're beautiful.'

Lily batted him away, 'Remus, will you keep an eye on Harry. And James.'

'Of course. And if Sirius becomes too difficult just leave him there.'

Sirius pushed the way Remus' words stung away, it was a joke, and he knew not a one of them would leave him in the hands of his family.

When they kissed goodbye, Remus pushed his hands into Sirius' hair and raked his nails over his scalp. Sirius bit his lip in return, possessively. And then he was back in the swirling flames of the floo.

They were waiting. In a private room, upstairs in the Three Broomsticks. Sirius followed closely behind Rosmerta, replying to her polite enquiries to his health with single words and tight smiles. He would feel badly for that later, but he'd make it up to her another time.

Lily reached forward and brushed her fingers against his back as they stood in front of the oaken door, it was all the courage he needed. Sirius ducked through the doorway and faced them.

Of the two, Sirius had always preferred Arcturus Black, his father's father. The eighty-two-year-old looked worn, like washed parchment and sat with his bony hands folded in his lap by the fire. It wasn't really cold enough for it, but the fire crackled merrily away nonetheless. Sirius took in the way his grandfather's hair had finally given way to grey, tied neatly at the base of his neck with emerald green ribbon. It was Arcturus side he inherited his tallness from, but he could tell now that age had taken its toll and his grandfather would be almost a full head shorter.

Pollux looked much as he did at the trail, though Sirius' memories were still hazy, the potions he had been fed clouding his mind forever on those moments. Pollux was distinctly shorter that Sirius, easily seen as he stood both hands clasped atop his cane, though Sirius very much doubted he needed to lean on it.

Both men's eyes were still sharp as they turned to Sirius and Lily, even as Pollux's lips twisted in a sneer and Sirius summoned his voice.

'Bonjour,' He nodded to Arcturus, 'and kalimera.' He exchanged glares with Pollux, 'We will conduct this interview in English, for Mrs. Potter's sake.'

Sirius gestured to Lily, 'Mrs. Lily Potter, these are Arcturus Black and Pollux Black,' He indicated each man in turn, 'My grandfathers. In my and my brother's absence technically the running of the family returns to Arcturus and my mother, but we are given to believe she is unwell, so her father comes to parle with us.'

With this, Sirius swept into a chair, seemingly at random, but leaving the chair next to him for Lily as the closest one to the door. Just in case.

'It is a pleasure to see you again Mrs. Potter, though I am confused as to your being here?' Pollux was frowning.

Lily sat easily next to Sirius, 'I wish I could return the sentiment, Mr. Black. I am here at Sirius' behest, to support him and ensure there is no foul play.'

'Your Mudblood insults us, Sirius.'

Sirius felt the snarl start and his hand begin to drift towards his wand when Arcturus finally spoke.

'That is enough, Pollux.' Arcturus leant forwards and waved to the sealed bottle of the house mead on the table. It uncorked itself and poured the honey coloured liquid into four tumblers.

'Sirius is entitled to bring anyone he wishes.' Another flick of his fingers and the glasses with their sunlight drams floated to their hands, 'I presume he chose Mrs. Potter for several reasons, not least because it would goad you.'

Sirius sipped the mead, it was spiced and warm and probably more alcoholic than was safe, 'This is delightful.'

'Mmm, an old favourite.'

'Can we get on with this?' Pollux was ignoring the hovering glass and Sirius was almost completely certain that was why Lily accepted hers and tasted it.

Sirius took another mouthful, relishing the burn of the alcohol. He hadn't really drunk except for a few glasses of wine last night since he had been pardoned.

'Yes, let's.' Arcturus nodded, 'Sirius you know why we have asked you to meet with us.'

'You think I might help you save your sorry family from extinction.'

'Our family, Sirius. It is yours too.'

Lily crossed her legs in the way that made James stare and – in normal circumstances – made Sirius grin, she was in her Head Girl, all powerful authority mode and he loved her for it. She held Arcturus gaze as she spoke.

'Sirius was disowned, publicly, loudly and violently.'

'Mmm, yes. But such things can easily be undone.'

'How?'

Arcturus arched a greying eyebrow, 'I am given to understand that you are a remarkably bright witch, you must be aware that situations can change.'

'I do, but I was under the impression that Sirius being disowned was permanent.'

Sirius shook his head minutely and Pollux caught it, 'Sirius understands.'

'I do, but I want to hear you say it.'

Pollux sighed dramatically, 'Inheritance passes down the male line of our family. With Regulus facing a life sentence in Azkaban the only person we could transfer inheritance of the family line to is Sirius. While he lives there are no options, his female relatives would be simply… overlooked by the magic that runs through all our veins.'

Sirius chuckled mirthlessly, 'So the options are to reinstate me, or murder Regulus and me just to hope it will pass to Bellatrix. But you can't be certain,' He waved a hand at Arcturus, 'You have a daughter, which means it might jump to the Prewetts. Or it could skip to the Malfoys, don't Narcissa and Lucius have a son?' He took another sip of mead, 'You need me.'

Pollux threw a copy of the Prophet down and Sirius recognised the photograph of himself and a blurry Remus who was trying to push Sirius out of the border.

'We need an heir who knows his place. You were barely out of Azkaban before they caught you galivanting with yet another man.'

'There are certain expectations of you Sirius.' Arcturus began.

But Sirius was laughing. He threw his head back and laughed, long and hard until all three of them stared at him.

'Let's get a few things settled,' He said when the echoes of his laughter died away, 'I am not my father. I will not be married off to someone of your choosing. If, IF, I agree to this, then yes, I will do my duty and ensure the Black family continues. But under my own terms and making all my own decisions. Est-ce absolument clair?'

Arcturus and Pollux exchanged a long look, and Sirius wondered just how many of his family got by on Legilimency for everything. Sirius reached into his robes and pulled out his tobacco, rolling swiftly and was pleased to discover his hands did not shake. He lit it using a click of his fingers, even though he preferred a match, just for the effect.

'Must you? A foul habit.' Pollux sneered, breaking his gaze away from Arcturus.

'One of the many things I inherited from my father.' Sirius smirked back.

'We are not here to spar,' Arcturus interrupted, 'We would be willing to agree to these conditions Sirius, yes. Will you agree to returning to the family?'

'I have further conditions, and I want them all agreed in writing.'

'You may have my oath.'

Sirius nodded to Lily, 'We'll have it in writing, and an Unbreakable Vow, or Sirius and I will leave now.'

She was so firm, so well put together. Sirius could have kissed her.

'Fine.' Pollux cracked first, 'Do you have a list of your terms?'

'I do.'