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

A/N: Wow, thank you so much for the reviews and loyalty. No, I haven't given up on this plot. Yes, Harry will come to his senses. Please bear in mind that Harry is A) a child in this fic, and therefore going to make some growing pains mistakes. Happens to the best of us. B) Harry will be showing more snake-like qualities and will make-up with Hermione. After all, this is as much about their pairing as it is about S/S. Luna will be a friend going forward. Please continue supporting me with reviews—I really appreciate them.

Ch. XLIX: Speaking and Listening

Sirius looked at his godson with blurry eyes before he looked down. He wanted to remain but knew he needed to give him some privacy with the maternal figure.

Merlin's beard. The wizard swore. How horrific to receive love from a beast over your own kind. I'm surprised how adjusted he is considering I'd hate humanity even without Azkaban.

Blinking back tears and noted Séraphine was weeping into her fist. Sirius immediately placed his arm around her shoulder and led her away from their intrusion on the child's heartwrenching reunion.

Together, with no real purpose in mind, the witch and wizard followed their feet toward Séraphine's former bedroom.

Closing the door, Sirius took a deep breath.

I can't believe I was a pro at this. He thought, bewildered. Now, he just felt uncomfortable.

Séraphine scowled, trying to get a grip on herself when she felt Sirius' lead her away. She blinked at familiar surroundings. Sirius remained at her side, but pulled her into his arms.

"I know," he whispered. "I'm ashamed and shocked to my core regarding Harry's mistreatment." Swallowing thickly, he looked into her tearstained face. "And, I am ashamed at my behavior toward you as of late, Séraphine."

The witch sniffled, and tried to look away. However, the wizard lightly caught her chin.
"I'm going to be apologizing a lot," he told her sadly. "Please, be patient with me. For, I know I'm not the best parent." Sirius shrugged helplessly. "We'll work together regarding Our Child."

Séraphine gaped at him.

Sirius chuckled.

"Well, he is." Sirius emphasized. "And, choupette*?" Séraphine's eyes widened, hearing her native tongue. « I'm deeply flattered and humbled by your soul bond. I just hope we can move slowly…for as attracted as I am to my wife…I need time. Please? »

« Of course. » Séraphine murmured, blushing, her mind racing at the sudden openness from her husband.

Sirius found himself blushing as well. Like a damned teenager. They both looked at each other furtively before chuckling slightly.

The wizard knew he would be doing a lot of groveling. Maybe I do need a Mind Healer. He admitted to himself as he saw her eye alight. I can't just make all these bloody mistakes. Can't keep bloody apologizing.

There are deep fears in Sirius Orion Black. Chief among them are being good enough for anyone to take him on. Well, not just anyone. He realized. I'm broken. His hand stroked her satin cheek of its own accord. But please, don't let me break this beautiful woman before me. He prayed in his heart. The witch tilted her cheek into his hand and looked at him with amazed hazel eyes.

Oh, he was feeling like a lovesick fool now. For once, he wished he never ribbed James on getting his 'feelings,' early or dismissing them now he understood.

They stood there silently regarding each other's intensity as something between them began to knit.

Harry choked on his tears. The superseded image of Sparkles' womanly form felt more solid.

Sniffling, the boy blushed brightly as Sparkles smiled tenderly at him. Nervously, the boy remained where he was seated on her lap, feeling like he was young and small again.

Sparkles snuggled into Harry, who sighed in relief. She felt like she did when he was a child. Her skin smooth on one side but rough otherwise. It always settled him to know she really was real and not some figment of his imagination like he was beginning to believe.

« Why do you hide your magnificent eyes from the world, hatchling? » The Snake Warrior queried.

« Because…I can't have them in either the Wizarding World or the Muggle World. » Harry muttered in answer.

« You should be proud of who you are and your greatness. » Sparkles gently chided.

« The only opinions that matter are yours, your family, and those worthy of your friendship. »

Harry hung his head.

« I think I've ruined friends. » Harry mumbled. He was not sure he was ready to address the 'family,' component of her statement.

Sparkles eyed him thoughtfully and Harry spilled.

She nodded and agreed with Harry's perspective but informed in much the same vein as Kreacher to hurry up and make-up with one Hermione Jean Granger, lest he be out of friends.

Meanwhile, a certain brunette witch was anxiously awaiting her mother's response. Thankfully, Hedwig did come to deliver her letter even though the proud avian pecked Hermione's hand in admonishment before taking to the skies.

Hermione sighed as she remained in the library with the window open to let in the last rays of sunshine. She retreated to her favorite perch since dealing with the fiasco she had with Harry and all the public opinion involved.

It's just like primary school all over again. She thought dejectedly.

Hedwig surprised her with a soft hoot and Hermione quickly gave her a piece of bacon she saved. The snowy owl brushed her wingtip against the girl's ear before heading to the owlery.

Recognizing her mother's penmanship, she eagerly tore it. Reading quickly, her face fell.

Dearest Hermione Darling,

Unfortunately, Harry is correct in his assessment. From what you've told me about him he wouldn't like your behavior. I think he acted in a gentlemanly manner by leaving and not antagonizing you. It was very sweet of him to be there for Luna. It sounds to me she is just a lonely little girl. Sound familiar?

Personally, I'm surprised at you, sweetheart. It's very similar to when you were at primary school. You liked discussing things like science and Newton and no one else did. Bear in mind, Hermione, that you're new to this world. This Luna is not. She is from this world. Perhaps, there is something to be said of learning from her. Now, maybe these are, in fact, imaginary friends of hers. However, I did not rear you to be rude. It doesn't matter how smart or beautiful you are. Rudeness is unacceptable, young lady.

I expect you to swallow your pride and figure out how to patch things up with both Harry and Luna. I can assure you, Hermione, you'll not win any favors from Harry if you don't try with Luna first. He may need to mediate.

Perhaps, something like this to get you started: 'Luna, I'm really sorry for insulting your dad. I wouldn't want someone to do so to mine.'

Write to me when you've apologized.

Love,

Mum.

References:

Choupette: means 'sweetie,' in French. It's also the name of the late mega fashionable Karl Lagerfeld's cat.

S & S relationship: So I confess, this might be a little fast. However, I do want to make them patch things up realistically. Sirius, IMHO, is man enough to discuss his feelings in a passionate and sincere manner. After all, what does he have to really lose after being in Azkaban? He doesn't have his friends to rib him anymore like he was at 22-years-old. He is broken inside but he knows, on an intrinsic level, how special it is to have a soul bond (and I'm a sucker for HEAs). I will be getting out of this fun fleshing out the characters into the rest of the story arc. However, I will label accordingly going forward :-).

British slang: I obviously don't know any. If y'all could send me a good enough link to use it in context, I'd really appreciate it. Or educate me, then definitely PM me! There's only so much on Netflix, people!

French or Parseltongue: I use the French Guillemets («») or quotation marks to indicate if Sirius/Séraphine are speaking in French or if Harry is speaking in Parseltongue. So sorry, but I am not going to do a lot of translation work here. Just pretend we're all magically linguistically inclined.