When Harry woke up the next morning the sun hadn't risen yet and the house was still quiet. Remus was asleep next to him and as tempting as it was to wake him for some fun before he started breakfast Harry wanted the man to get some sleep. With everything that had happened the evening before Remus didn't get nearly as much rest as he needed after the moon.

Harry slipped out of his arms and quickly put his pillow in his place. He couldn't help the smile that came to his face when Remus pulled it close to keep Harry's scent with him. Harry grabbed a change of clothes and walked out of the room. He took a quick shower, practicing different techniques to keep his mind clear..

He walked down the stairs and stopped in the drawing room. The dishes from last night were still there; the teapot, cups, plates, three glasses and a half empty bottle of firewhiskey. He used his wand to stack and levitate everything down to the kitchen and started it washing as he made himself some coffee. He stared into the fire and sipped it, his mind replaying the events of the evening before. He didn't understand why he was having such a hard time. He felt like he'd gone through all the different emotions since seeing his father in McGonagall's office.

He shook his head and put his mug down harder than he should have, some coffee spilling over the edge with the force, and walked to the cabinets pulling out the flour, sugar, baking powder, and some spices. He grabbed everything else he needed and just worked. He turned the radio on and got lost in the stirring, folding and kneading that his task required, his lips moved and formed the words to the music as he did so.

Sirius woke up feeling refreshed but confused by the warmth he felt next to him. He blinked a couple times and frowned at the mop of dark hair on his chest. Why was Harry in his room? Why was he cuddled into his side? He didn't hear him and Remus argue, and even if they did they normally went to the kitchen and the study to get some space before talking things over.

"Padfoot?"

"James…" he whispered and hugged the man close. He didn't let up on his grip even when he heard the other man yelp in surprise. "It was real."

"I'm here." Sirius heard James say and he slowly let him go.

SIrius smiled. "Yeah, you are." He just watched him for a few moments before he sniffed the air. "Harry's up."

James opened his mouth but there was a soft knock on the door and Remus poked his head in. "Morning, James. Sirius, can you come here for a second?"

Sirius got up and stretched, his back and joints popping as he did so. He stepped out of the room and shut the door. "What;s going on?"

"Can you wait ten minutes or so before coming down with James? I just want to make sure Harry's all right. He's having some trouble with this."

Sirius frowned but nodded. "I could come down with you if you want, get James situated in the shower then help you with him."

Remus shook his head. "I'll be all right with him. Just...make some extra noise so we know you're coming, okay?"

He frowned. "What's wrong with Harry...and you're hiding from James?"

"Until things settle, yes. Harry is already struggling with this and we don't know how James will react. Right now he's my main priority. And I'll explain it to you later."

"You know James isn't against -"

Remus smiled gently. "We don't know how he'll react. James is one of my best friends, but I will never forgive him for what he did to you. And if he tries that with Harry…" He trailed off. "One day at a time. I'm going to go see what we're dealing with downstairs. Extra noise," Remus said and turned around, walking down that stairs and to the kitchen.

Sirius watched him go and leaned against the wall. He had accepted what had happened between him and James. If Sirius hadn't left his family he probably would have done the same thing. His heart had been broken, shattered really, but Sirius understood. He wasn't going to jump right back into anything with him; he wasn't sure that either he or James wanted that. But James would be different, Sirius knew it.

He shook his head and stepped back into his room and smiled at James. "Want a shower before we go see what Harry cooked up this morning?"

James raised his eyebrow.

"Not together," Sirius said firmly. He walked out and led him to the bathroom.

"Harry cooks?"

Sirius smiled and nodded. "Thank god. Him and Remus take turns. I get delegated to table setting and clean up sometimes. I still can't cook to save my life." He opened the bathroom door for him. "You're welcome to use anything in there. I'll be in my room when you're done."

"Are you sure you don't want to join me?"

"Shower, then food," Sirius said, smirking at him. Once the door shut Sirius walked back to his room and fell onto his bed. He wasn't going to jump back in, but damn James made it hard.

Remus walked into the kitchen and leaned against the table. He looked around at the muffins, scones, biscuits, and assorted breakfast foods that covered the counters. He waved his hand and turned the radio down. "Planning on opening a bakery or…" he trailed off.

"I'm sending stuff off to Ron and Hermione, McGonagall, Mrs. Weasley...it's not all for us," Harry muttered, not turning to face him.

Remus walked over and wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed his neck. "How long have you been stress baking?"

Harry tilted his head to the side and leaned back. "Feeling back to normal?"

"All things considered, going to answer my question?" he said as he moved down his neck.

"Trying to distract me?"

Remus chuckled and ran his fingers along Harry's waistband. "Is it working?"

"Not sure yet." Harry turned around and kissed him. He moaned as Remus backed him against the counter before lifting him onto it.

Harry pulled him between his legs and ran his fingers through Remus's hair as the older man slipped his tongue into Harry's mouth. Harry panted when Remus finally pulled back for air and groaned when instead of kissing him again he could feel lips and teeth moving down his neck.

"What about Sirius and Ja...my dad?"

Remus pulled Harry's shirt to the side and sucked at his collar bone. "Sirius will give us a warning."

"Rem…" he whispered.

Remus hummed and pressed his hand down against Harry's crotch. He smirked when he heard a low moan come from the man in front of him; he moved his hand slowly and was rewarded with Harry's hips bucking up into his hand.

He moaned when Harry grabbed him and pulled their lips together again before he nipped his lower lip and attacked his neck. "Don't start something you can't finish," Harry warned.

Remus chuckled and molded his lips back to Harry's getting caught up in the feel of Harry's body pressed against him.

"Hurry up, James. I'm not saving you any!" Sirius yelled as he stomped down the stairs.

Remus pulled back and looked at Harry, his breath coming out in heavy pants. He looked Harry over, taking in the swollen lips and heaving chest. Remus gave him a sorry look and pulled out his wand.

Harry glared at him. "What are you doing?"

"I love you."

"Remus Lupin!" Sirius started running down the stairs when he heard Harry yell. He slammed the door open and looked around, "What happened?" He stumbled forward when James ran into him from behind.

Remus was hanging onto the edge of the counter, doubled over with laughter. Sirius looked at Harry who was sitting on the counter and soaked from head to toe and had his eyes narrowed at the werewolf.

James started laughing and Sirius smirked at his godson. "All right there, Harry?"

Harry glared at all of them before hopping off the counter and using his wand to dry himself. Sirius watched as the younger man smirked and stepped over to Remus. "You're going to pay for that, Professor Lupin." Harry smiled at Sirius and James. "Help yourselves."

He walked to the refrigerator and put some juice on the table and used his wand to set it with plates. Remus was watching him, his eyes worried. Sirius walked over and clapped him on the shoulder and smiled brightly. "Good luck with that, mate."

Remus looked away from Harry and saw James walk to the table. "I don't know whether to be scared or turned on," he whispered.

Sirius snorted. "I don't know whether to be scared for you or jealous."

"Both," Harry said as he walked past and Sirius started howling as his friend paled. He sat in his chair and smiled sweetly at Remus.

James watched them all before sitting across from Harry and smiling. "You made all this?"

Harry took his eyes off of Remus and Sirius and smiled softly at James. "Yeah, it's sort of my coping mechanism."

"Yeah, this is probably weird for you."

"And that's saying something," Harry muttered. Remus and Sirius came to sit down, grabbing different things to put on their plates. James and Harry did the same, Harry just grabbing a muffin and picking at it.

James watched Harry, unsure of what to say. He looked over at Sirius for help. "Harry, are you going to join us today? We're going to finish filling him in, look through some of the photo albums."

"Oh...I can for a little bit." Harry relaxed slightly as Remus gripped his hand underneath the table. "I promised McGonagall I'd have my lesson plans to her by tonight."

"Merlin, I forgot - "

Harry shook his head. "She said you could have till Friday considering what's going on."

Sirius nodded and looked relieved. Remus narrowed his eyes at his friend. "Have you even started?"

"Well...here's the thing…"

Harry snorted and sipped his coffee and met his dad's gaze from across the table. "They argue like this when you guys were in school?"

'Constantly."

"Hey!" Remus and Sirius yelled at the same time.

James winked at Harry and went back to eating. "So you're a teacher at Hogwarts? You and Pads?"

"Yeah. Sirius has been there for a few years now; not sure how he hasn't been sacked, yet." He smirked and easily dodged the piece of scone that Sirius threw at him. "It'll be my first year. I'm taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts. I'll be helping with flying lessons too. Madame Hooch is planning on retiring soon."

"What did you do before?"

Harry scratched the back of his neck. "I started with training to be an auror. But after everything I just don't think I could go back to all of that. Want to be away from fighting."

"Fighting?"

"We'll explain," Harry said softly.

James nodded and looked over at Sirius and Remus.

Harry watched the three of them silently, Remus and Sirius still arguing about...whatever they had moved onto at this point and James egged them on whenever they slowed down. The youngest man eventually stood and started cleaning up the mess he had made. He was almost done when a shrill whistle sounded behind him.

James smiled while Remus and Sirius glared at him. He cleared his throat. "Can we...get back to talking about what I missed?"

Remus and Sirius glanced at Harry who nodded. "Give me a few minutes to finish up down here and I'll join you in a few minutes. I'll bring up some tea?"

"I'll help you," Sirius offered and got up and grabbed the remaining plates from the table. Remus flashed Sirius and Harry a smile before leading James up. Sirius started the dishes washing and prepared the tea while Harry packaged up some of the goods he made and sent them through the floo. "Come here, Harry."

Harry looked confused but walked over. He laughed when Sirius pulled him into a hug and wrapped his arms around his godfather. He smiled and felt Sirius's arms tighten around him. "You haven't hugged me like this in a while."

"I hug you all the time!"

"Never said you didn't hug me, just hasn't been like this."

Sirius pulled back but left his hands resting on his shoulders. "I'm here, okay. Still here for you."

"I know...you always will be. I don't see you suddenly forgetting about me because he's back."

Harry may have smiled but Sirius didn't fall for it. "That will never happen, Harry." Sirius kept his voice firm, leaning down so they were eye to eye. "Never," he promised.

Harry swallowed and nodded. "Let's get up there before one of them hunts us down." He levitated the tray and walked up the stairs with his godfather behind him.

He set the tray down before moving his chair from the night before closer to where Remus was sitting on the couch. He tucked his feet under himself, rubbing at his knee as it stretched in an odd way. "So what did you guys get to last night?"

"Just the night it happened and where I ended up." Sirius leaned into the corner of the couch.

"They told me you went to live with Lily's sister."

Harry nodded. "I did. We can just leave it at that."

James frowned and looked at Sirius and Remus. "They were good to you, right?"

The youngest of the four men played with his sleeves while he spoke, keeping his hands busy. "They hate everything about magic...I'm sure you knew that. They hated me because of it." Harry kept his eyes on them, shrugging.

Remus and Sirius were watching him intently, along with James. They knew that his Aunt and Uncle hadn't wanted anything to do with his magical side, but Harry never talked about his time with his muggle family. Remus remembered going to pick Harry up and being told that the muggles wouldn't care that he had gone or be disappointed that he'd be coming back.

"I got punished a lot when weird things would happen. I didn't know that it was accidental magic; my hair would grow back after a bad haircut, I'd suddenly be safe if Dudley and his friends were chasing me." Harry smirked suddenly, his eyes lighting up. "Right before I started at Hogwarts I ended up letting a snake loose at the zoo and Dudley ended up stuck in its cage."

The three laughed. "Bet they didn't like that."

"They didn't like that I had dreams about flying motorcycles," he said looking at Sirius and smiling. "I got locked in my cupboard as soon as we got back from the zoo."

The smiles fell away. "Cupboard?"

Harry nodded. "I got moved to a bedroom when my letters started coming. I'd just get locked in there instead."

"Did they ever…"

Harry tilted his head to the side. "Did they ever what?"

"Lay a hand on you?" Sirius asked.

Harry shook his head. "No...I got tossed into my cupboard and bedroom a few times. They never stopped Dudley from having a go. The worst that happened was missing a few meals." He looked at them and shrugged. "It was normal."

"They starved you?" James asked, his voice stony. Sirius gripped the couch so hard that Harry thought his nails might tear into it.

He shrugged again and Remus let out a low growl, his eyes flashing a bright amber. "It's in the past," Harry said firmly, his eyes locking on Remus'. "I'm here, whole and safe. As I got older they ignored me more and more. They were scared of what I could do."

Before any of them could ask him any more questions he started going through his first and second years. James got distracted by the story of how he became seeker and what had happened with Quirrel and Voldemort. Sirius and Remus were stealing glances at each other. They knew bits of Harry's history, most of what they knew took place after the entered his life in his third year, however.

"You killed Quirrell?" Remus asked softly. "Merlin, Harry, you were eleven."

Harry smiled softly. "It was me or him. I didn't know it would happen, I was just trying to get him off me and keep the stone from him."

The two oldest looked remorseful. Harry shifted slightly so he could stroke his fingers along Remus's neck and calm him down.

"At least the rest of your school years were calmer, right?"

Harry snorted. "Hardly." He kept playing with the hair at the nape of Remus's neck as he went over the summer after his first year and the second year at Hogwarts. He made sure to include the good things too, not just to help them relax but sometimes Harry needed the reminder that there had been good times; it wasn't all war and bad dreams.

"So, I know Sirius was in Azkaban," James said, frowning and turned to look at Remus. "But you could have reached out to him."

Remus focused on the fingers scratching at the base of his skull. "I never knew he was in danger. The happenings at Hogwarts were never publicized in a way that hinted at that sort of thing. When I believed Harry to be in danger I made sure to get to the school."

"When was that?"

"When I escaped Azkaban," Sirius said, smiling at Remus. "Everyone thought I was out to kill Harry, finish the work that my supposed Dark Lord had started.

Harry's hand stilled. "Third year was probably one of the best and worst years I spent at school. And I didn't even think I'd make it there. I was sure I was going to be expelled before term even started."

"You got in trouble again? Was it that house elf?"

"Dobby, no. I sort of...well. I blew up Aunt Marge?" Their eyes went wide. "Not like that! She didn't actually explode! It was more like she inflated like a balloon...floated away like one too," he added thoughtfully.

Harry smiled as the three laughed so hard that they were red in the face; James would have fallen off the couch if Sirius hadn't caught him. "That was the first night I saw Sirius."

"Is that why you were sitting there with your trunk. You were running?"

"I thought I was going to get expelled. And if I had stayed the Durselys would have done worse than lock me in my room. You scared the shit out of me that night."

James looked at Sirius. "You never did say how you escaped. You got out and went straight for Harry?"

Sirius looked offended. "Of course I did. He was in danger. I didn't mean to scare him...I was Padfoot and I saw him there. I...may have growled at him. I was trying to get him to go back inside. He fell backwards and summoned the Knight Bus."

Harry smiled. "I spent the rest of my time in Diagon Alley and went to King's Cross from there. I met Remus on the train. He was sleeping in the compartment we sat in."

"Damn dementors woke me up," Remus muttered and Harry snorted.

"I passed out when one got too close. They were searching the train for Sirius. I ah...react badly, really badly to them. Remus cast a patronus and gave me some chocolate." He smiled softly. "Later he taught me how to do it." He smirked when Remus's stomach growled. "Sandwiches okay?" He got up when they nodded. "I'm going to finish my lesson plans while you guys keep talking." He used his wand and a plate appeared.

"Can you come find me in a little bit?" He asked Remus. "I want you to take a look at them before I send them to McGonagall."

Remus nodded. "Sure."

Harry grabbed a sandwich and bound up the stairs, leaving them to finish talking. He walked into the library and shut the door, leaning on it. It went better than he had expected; he was able to smile and laugh with his dad, no panic attacks. Remus had kept him grounded even when the Dursleys came up. It was a start, anyway. Harry smiled to himself and walked over to the table his work was spread out on and finished planning out his lessons for the year.