Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling. However, I do own OC, non-canon and fictional magic.

A/N: Y'all are the best. I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving. Please review. I write this for us.

Ch. XXXVIII: Meeting of the Minds Part II

Séraphine's visage conveyed a private smile as she nodded, allowing Sirius to hold for a few minutes longer.

Sirius felt odd.

Deep down, the wizard knew he was attracted to Séraphine. However, he reminded himself forcibly she is not his wife.

She isn't merely my accomplice, though, either. He thought flummoxed. Swallowing thickly, he released her and watched her retreating form to prepare for her nightly routine.

Rubbing his temples, Sirius strode toward his bed and nightstand and quickly wrote what he wanted to accomplish in his datebook.

1. Head to the Forbidden Forest with S. and see the Centaurs?
2. Return Harry to Hogwarts
3. See Hermione and Ron
4. Apparate to work
5. Survive first work day

He barked a laugh.

"Sirius?" The pretty witch asked as she brushed her hair while coming to his side.

He showed her what he wrote.

"It just seems so surreal, Séraphine." He told her, sighing. "All of a sudden, I'm almost normal. I have a godson, sending him to Hogwarts to having a job and getting the jitters. I mean, it's not like I haven't had a job before." After all, he was one of Magical London's Finest before everything went to hell.

On the one hand, he did feel silly having a job. He certainly did not need the money and he did not want to take from some young Auror starting out.

Séraphine regarded him seemingly reading his mind.

"Then let's setup a fund for me then," she told him candidly.

"What?" Black brows arched at her confused.

"You know I cannot have my own funds as a Pureblood Lady*," she reminded him steadily. "This way, I can assist you in the Wizengamot more readily than having to go through you. Also," she said her hazel eyes sharpening. "I think we should convert much of it into Muggle money."

Sirius blinked at her.

"That's brilliant." The wizard announced.

She smiled at his praise and set her brush down before frowning slightly.

"What is it?" He asked her quietly.

Hesitating, the witch sighed.

"Please don't laugh at me," she said in a low voice.

Concerned, Sirius' pewter eyes darkened and he carefully approached her with a hand on her shoulders.

"I won't." He said sincerely.

Taking a deep breath, the witch sighed and blushed prettily.

"I've never been in bed with a man before you." She confessed. "I know you're not going to do anything." Séraphine quickly reassured seeing his expression. "And I'm not uncomfortable around you or anything…it's just…well, what side of the bed do I take?"

Of all things to focus on. Sirius had the inappropriate urge to laugh and willed Padfoot to guide him to remain present. It always helped being an Animagus. Padfoot was such a part of his survival and being that it grounded him.

"Which side would you feel comfortable on?" He asked her. Personally, he preferred the side with facing the window. In Azkaban, he had a small postcard of a barred window to see the merciless gray sky and seawater beneath him. He shuddered slightly causing concern.

"I'll take this side." She indicated closest to the doorway. When she was young, her bedroom was closest to the door and she clung to that habit ever since.

Nodding, Sirius gruffly cleared his throat and made his way toward his nightly routine.

He could help his humility and what a vulnerable position Séraphine was in.

And I've seen her naked—by ritual's sake. He thought in askance. And she's honoring me with her presence. Shaking his head slightly as he ignored his blushing appearance in the mirror he made his way to their bed.

Séraphine smiled shyly at him and he returned the gesture.

Crawling into bed with her made him oddly giddy.

What the bloody hell am I? A Hogwarts schoolboy?! Softening, he could not help thinking. Thank Merlin she wasn't further…from her lifetime. He could not even think it and instead forced himself to face her back.

Séraphine turned on her side, blushing madly her own mind wondering why in the world she confessed such a truth to him.

With polite goodnights at hand the two eventually fell asleep curled in around each other.

For the first time in several years, they slept so peacefully it felt like a travesty to awaken to their alarm clock to begin a new day as Husband and Wife.

The next morning went by too quickly for Harry as he was carted off to the Forbidden Forest with his godparents.

At least I got to check-in with Kreacher and Malthus. He thought, shrugging. Still, it does feel rather strange that I'm living with Sirius and Séraphine and they're my godfather and godmother.

The young wizard liked it.

But it doesn't feel like they're truly mine. Harry grimaced as Dobby Apparated them from Grimmauld Place to the Forbidden Forest.

"Thank you, Dobby." Sirius acknowledged the gleeful little House-Elf.

"Just calls Dobby when you's done." Dobby said smiling at the Black family.

"We certainly will." Séraphine readily promised and Harry quickly smiled at his friend as a pop! indicated his departure.

"Right then." Sirius said as the wizards looked her expectantly. Séraphine chuckled and led them toward a thicket and curtseyed before Firenze who bowed from the waist, with his foreleg bent in salute.

Sirius bowed and eyed Harry, who immediately followed suit. Surprised by the formality.

"Good morning to you all." Firenze greeted.

"Good morning," they chorused as Séraphine straightened.

"My name is Serena." She informed Firenze and held out her delicate hand to the towering Centaur.

"A pleasure," he said sincerely.

Sirius' eyes narrowed, feeling a jealous spark he felt had no business being there.

Releasing her hand, the Centaur respectfully inclined his head in the wizard's direction, focused on Harry.

"Hello Harry Potter." He greeted, turning toward the young wizard who smiled shyly up at him.

"Hello Firenze, I hope you're doing well?" Harry asked politely.

A skittish, young Centaur Foal quickly ducked behind a tree.

Séraphine smiled and looked at Firenze who whistled as the blushing Foal made his way before them. His little hand anxiously rubbing at his ring.

The witch carefully approached the Foal and knelt to his level. Her full, emerald-black traveling robes spread about her as she regarded him steadily.

"It's good to see you're feeling better, Lightfoot." She told him kindly. The Foal gaped her.

"You changed." He blurted.

Firenze speared him a meaningful look.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, upset.

"Don't be." Séraphine said gently. "My name is Serena, and my promise still stands." Her eyes softened. "There is someone I'd like you to meet." She turned her head slightly. "Harry?"

Surprised, the boy copied Séraphine and smiled reassuringly.

"Hello," Harry greeted. "My name is Harry, what's yours?"

"Lightfoot." The Foal answered shyly.

"Harry is my godson." Séraphine explained. "I hope the two of you will get to know one another and help each other. There are many dangers for you both and having each other's backs is key."

Both boys looked at her curiously.

"What do you mean?" Harry asked quietly.

"I'm not sure, Harry," she answered him honestly. "But I, Sirius and Firenze are going to find out." Nodding slightly she smiled at them. "Why don't you two explore—not far mind you," she said meaningfully at Harry.

"Yes ma'am." The boy said, nodding quickly. As the elder of the two he was responsible for the Foal's well-being.

Harry's chest puffed at the thought.

Séraphine exchanged knowing looks with Firenze and Sirius.

To everyone's surprise, Harry held out his hand for the Foal. "Want to go to the stream?" He asked.

The Foal looked at Firenze for reassurance before taking Harry's hand and leading him to the stream.

Sirius stared after the boys. As soon as the boys were out of earshot, he could not help commenting.

"That has got to be one for the record."

Firenze and Séraphine agreed before discussing in low tones under a Black Blood Ward against eavesdroppers while keeping a watchful eye on their charges.

"We must develop a communication method, Firenze." Séraphine stated, grimacing as she glanced at the sun through the thick tree canopy. "If we show up or our magic then it'll tip Dumbledore and our enemies off."

The Centaur nodded sharply.

"There have been whispers of treachery throughout the Forest, and the wizards are planning something."

Sirius nodded.

"I suspected as much." He popped his neck. "I'll keep my eyes peeled at the Ministry and Séraphine will at the Wizengamot."

"Thank you." Firenze replied sincerely.

They lowered the Black Blood Ward and watched as a Foal and wizarding child spoke and played.

A bright future indeed. Each adult thought, relaxing a touch.

References:

Pureblood Lady: I'm going old-school here with Séraphine being a Pureblood Lady. I got the impression that Purebloods married well and were entirely at the mercy of their husbands. See Narcissa for example. I suspect with Séraphine being a Potter proxy and carrying clout at the Black seat would make her politically active. Thereby, disengaging from making money as a civil servant. This way, she doesn't have to ask Sirius for money every time (that'd get old to write, sorry folks) and I think it's important to setup a Muggle money fund *hint hint*.