Author's Note:

I know everyone is mostly under quarantine now. I wanted to drop one chapter to help you all get through it, but then I'm back to my once a week scheduling and this chapter well… I cried while writing it.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and be safe. Wash your hands. Keep social distancing. Be safe.

My posting schedule: Once a week.

Thanks to Dusk for her amazing editing skills.

As always, thank you very much for reading and please, please review!

Your reviews give me life! They give me inspiration! And they make me want to keep writing for more than just myself! Thank you for all of your continued support!

CHAPTER TWO-HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWO:

Theo laughed when Finn pushed him back onto the comfortable gold sofa in his living room and covered his body with his. Finn had picked him up at the train station and then Apparated him directly home to Norfolk, kissing him the whole way. He tangled his fingers in his boyfriend's messy blond hair as he kissed him.

"I'm so happy that you're here."

Finn kissed him again. "Me too. You have me until tomorrow."

"Perfect."

He tugged his lips back to his, laughing when Finn dragged his stubbled cheek over his neck.

"So, what shall we do with our evening alone?" Finn asked him.

Theo stared up into those impossibly green eyes and smiled slowly. "I have a few naughty ideas."

Finn chuckled and dropped a kiss to Theo's chin. "Oh, absolutely, but I was thinking something a little less naughty before we head up to bed." He smiled. "Maybe we can have a meal together while you tell me more about Blaise and Draco."

Theo frowned. "I don't know what more I can tell you about them. I'm worried about both of them, and what's going to happen next."

Finn nodded. "I know you are, which is why we should talk about it. What can I do to help? How can we protect them?"

Theo reached up to cup his boyfriend's face. "You're amazing and I love you."

"How can I help, mo grá?"

Theo sighed. "I don't know if we can, Finn. With me… my father is my only real family and getting out from under his control involved taking the money and running and now that he's dead… I have the ability to protect myself."

"I've added fae protection to your home."

"Worrywart."

Finn's gaze was serious as he stared at him. "As much protection as possible, I don't want anyone to hurt you ever again."

Theo couldn't help but smile at that. He loved that this man wanted to take care of him. It made his heart feel like it could burst he was so happy. But then he thought about his friends and the worry returned.

"As I was saying, I got away from him and his control, but Blaise… he's the last Zabini and his mother is… well, to put it delicately, she's a bit of a slag. She's known as the Black Widow. She uses men to get what she wants, money and prestige, and she marries them and they end up dead and she gets everything. Blaise has his father's fortune and he's in control of that, there's no question. She gave up the rights when she married the second time, let alone the fifth time. But she's his mother and while he is still not seventeen, she has some control and say over what he says and does. He loves her and in her cold way, she loves him, too - but mostly when it's convenient for her."

"So, he can leave?"

Theo nodded. "In theory, I think he could, but it's about deciding to take that step. He's working on some plans I think. But Draco… I'm worried about him, Finn. His life is a lot more difficult."

Finn kissed his forehead. "He is your brother in all but blood, I understand this."

"His parents were my parents. His dad was always so good to me; his mother is my godmother and was always there for me. She still tries to write when she can, but it's dangerous if anyone found out. I cut my father off, cut him out, and his oldest friend was Draco's grandfather and the two of them have known the Dark Lord since they went to Hogwarts together. Abraxas is… dangerous, and he has control over Uncle Lucius to a great extent. He's in the thick of the Death Eaters and I don't think he can get out."

"And you think Draco will follow in his father's footsteps?"

Theo hesitated. "Draco's not a bad bloke. He's an arse, completely, and a right git most of the time, but if you've made it in with him, he'd give you the shirt off his back in a heartbeat if you needed it. But he's set in his ways. Family is the most important thing to him and with his father so deeply involved… Auntie Cissa and Uncle Lucius are so in love. I don't know… I don't know what he's going to do. I just know that as long as he's with his parents, he's in danger."

"You said that he had an aunt?"

Theo nodded. "Yeah, she's on Dumbledore's side. She's offered him safety before but… she's married to a Muggleborn and Draco and I were raised believing that anyone who isn't pureblood is beneath us. I've learned how wrong that thinking is on many levels and I know that he's on the fence about it himself, but… he doesn't know his aunt and uncle, not really. They've tried to bridge the gap, but he's stubborn. I don't know, Finn. I just don't know. I can't contact him. It's too dangerous for me… if they find out where I am…"

Finn leaned down and captured Theo's lips again, kissing him deeply. "I will keep you safe, mo grá, I promise."

Theo only smiled and tugged his boyfriend down for another long kiss just as Kiki cleared her throat.

"Master Theo, Lord Zabini is at the gate, Sir."

Theo's eyebrow rose in surprise. "Oh, well let him in." He glanced at Finn in apology. "I'm sorry."

Finn shook his head. "He is your friend. Of course he is welcome."

Theo kissed him again and again until —

"Should have known I was interrupting."

Theo reluctantly tore his lips away from Finn and smiled at Blaise. "Hey."

Blaise smirked at him. "You two are adorable."

Theo and Finn sat up, making themselves comfortable on the couch. "So, everything okay, Blaise?"

Blaise let out a huge sigh. "I have no idea."

"Why aren't you in Italy?"

"Mum never showed up at the station. Lia came, but she said Bellarosa is in Croatia."

"So, what — you're not going home?"

Blaise shrugged. "Oh, I'm going, I'm just... working on my plan."

Theo raised an eyebrow. "Blaise, you're the Baron of Sardinia. Your mother remarrying means she lost the title of Baroness, no matter how often she still uses it. She's been married four times since your father died."

Blaise nodded. "I know. But I'm not seventeen until December eighteenth, Theo. A lot could happen between then and now."

Finn sat forward. "Not if you protect yourself. Theo has told me of you and Draco's torn allegiances and how he must distance himself from you both this summer for the safety of all. I do not see this. If you want protection, there are people willing to give it to you."

"I'm aware of that," Blaise said dryly. "Mama wants me to join the Death Eaters, to be part of her schemes, but she's not forcing it upon me. Problem is, she's my only family outside of you and Draco. Draco's about to find himself inside of a shit storm so going to him is out of the question."

"What do you know?"

Blaise swallowed. "The Dark Lord is staying at Wiltshire. For how long I don't know, but having him occupy his home is not going to be a good step towards anything good. We both know what his grandfather is like."

Theo paled. "Uncle Lucius and Auntie Cissa will protect him."

Blaise shrugged. "They'll try, but Draco's a stubborn SOB himself. We both know it." He took a deep breath. "Theo... I'm going back to Italy to ward the villa and take control of my assets. Mama stays at the manor in Rome most of the time and hasn't stepped foot in the Zabini villa in Sicily in years - it's my safe zone, I know that. I just wanted you to know my plan."

"Let me get Smith here," Theo began. "The lawyer that helped me, he can help you figure it out."

Blaise shook his head. "I've figured it out. I just have to lay low and make it until school starts up again. I'll send word when I can. I think I'm going to spend the summer travelling, get away from it all. If my mother tries to contact you on my behalf, you won't know where I am. Mama is a lot of things, but easily distracted is the big one and if I'm not around, I don't think she'll come looking to try to get me to join her cause."

Theo nodded as Blaise stood up and he did the same, pulling his friend into his arms. "You can stay here, Blaise. I'll protect you."

Blaise grinned and hugged him tight before he let go. "You protect yourself. I'll send word."

"Blaise!"

Blaise turned to look back at him before Theo spoke.

"Have a great trip."

He grinned at him. "I plan to. Finn, keep him safe."

Finn nodded as they watched Blaise leave. Theo let out a sigh and Finn pulled him into his arms. "He will be all right. He's working out his plan. Your friends are good men. They're making the right choices."

Theo shook his head. "Maybe, but Finn... if Blaise is right and the Dark Lord has moved into Wiltshire Manor, that puts Draco in one hell of a precarious position."

Finn kissed Theo's forehead. "You must hope he makes the right choice for him."

Theo hugged Finn tightly, his cheek resting against his boyfriend's shoulder. "I need to do something to help."

"What can you do?"

Theo shook his head before he pulled back, his eyes wide. "I know just the thing!"

And Finn only watched as he ran to the desk and pulled out a piece of parchment.

~ ASC ~

Harry stood on the platform, his arms wrapped tightly around Remus. He made no effort to remove himself from his father's arms. Tears prickled his eyes, but he didn't think that he had any tears left to cry for the most important man in his life.

He had been crying for days. It hadn't lessened the pain or helped in any way.

"Harry," a soft voice said from behind him. He recognized it instantly, but he didn't move from Remus' arms. Her small hand touched the small of his back. "If you need anything…"

"Thank you, Ginny," Remus said, smiling at her. He pushed back a little, his eyes meeting Harry's bloodshot ones. "For now we're going home."

"I don't have a home, Uncle Moony," Harry mumbled, tears spilling over his lashes as Ginny made her way over to her mother and father. "He was my home and… it's my fault. It's my fault that he's dead."

"No," Remus insisted, holding onto his shoulders tightly. "It is not your fault. Sirius knew the risks, Harry, as did I, and sometimes those risks become a reality."

Harry trembled. "He shouldn't have… if I hadn't been so stupid!"

"Harry!" Remus exclaimed, his eyes flashing in anger. "You were not stupid. We've talked about this. He wouldn't want you blaming yourself. He died to protect you!"

Harry simply glared at Remus and pulled himself away from his father. "That's the catch, isn't it?" He stormed off towards the archway, turning when he saw Zee and sighed when she curled into his arms. He could rest his head on the top of hers since she was so short.

"I don't want to hear you say you don't have a home ever again, Harry James," Zee murmured against him. "I'm your home, we're each other's home."

Harry hugged her tighter. "I'm sorry. I… I miss him."

Zee looked up at him, tugging his face down to kiss his cheek. "Me too. Let's go home. Mama and Papa are there waiting for us."

He turned back to look at Remus and he nodded. "I'm going to pick up Nymphadora in Shoreditch and we'll meet you at the cottage."

Harry nodded and linked his arm through Zee's. "The funeral?"

"On Tuesday," she told him. "Remus and I have taken care of it, Harry. We're going to bury him in the graveyard with your parents. We… we thought that he would like that."

He only nodded and let her lead him off to the Apparition point. He dragged his trunk behind him up the drive, the sight of the cottage forming a lump in his throat. How could Sirius not be inside? He followed Zee through the front door but stopped when he saw Sirius' leather jacket thrown over the bannister leading up the stairs. He touched it with his fingers.

"I couldn't bear to hang it up, not just yet," Zee said from behind him.

Harry swallowed as Misha stood up from the sofa. He let the man engulf him in a hug, but didn't speak.

"Sorcha's made dinner in the kitchen. Ve vill eat, da? Ve vill eat and ve vill talk about our plans for the summer."

Kreacher appeared to take Harry's trunk upstairs along with Hedwig's cage, startling Harry. He glanced at Zee in surprise and she shrugged.

"He keeps appearing to do things around the house. I woke up this morning and he'd made breakfast. I don't... you're his owner now, Harry."

He nodded glumly. "I'll talk to him."

He followed Misha and Zee into the kitchen where Sorcha had laid out dinner, but he ate mechanically. All of them did, and there wasn't much conversation. Zee explained that the funeral would be in two days. Harry could only nod.

By the time the day of the funeral arrived, Harry still felt like he was in a daze. He dressed in his Hogwarts robes, being the only black robes he owned that fit him, and met Zee at the bottom of the stairs. She was wearing black leather pants, a black short sleeved v-neck top and a black jacket with white cuffs. Her tall black boots added three inches to her height, but she still had to stand on her toes to kiss his cheek.

"We can do this, sweetie. You and me."

Harry nodded and linked his arm through hers. They met Remus and Tonks at the old churchyard in Godric's Hollow. Remus immediately put his arm around Harry as Zee held his other arm and Tonks kissed his cheek.

Then he was led to the front where Sirius was laid out in an oak casket. He looked like he was sleeping. His hair, coiffed just perfectly around his face, the dark stubble with just a hint of gray peeking through. Someone had cleaned him up, hidden the injuries that had caved in his chest... cleaned up the blood. Harry found himself staring at the tiny silver hoop in his ear, unable to look away.

Remus was standing next to him and he watched his father lean in and kiss Sirius' forehead. "Rest, my friend. Harry's in good hands. I'll take care of them. All of them."

He squeezed Harry's shoulder; Harry stared back down at Sirius as Remus moved away. Then he felt a small hand find his and he gripped it tightly, her floral scent calmed him as he kept his his eyes on the man in the casket.

Harry watched Zee press her lips to Sirius', wiping away a stray tear before she stood up and moved over to where Remus and Tonks were sitting. He let out a slow breath before he tentatively reached out to touch the hands folded over his father's chest.

The icy coldness of them brought a lump to his throat. This was only a shell.

Ginny's hand clutched his tighter and he only nodded as she led him over to where Zee, Remus, and Tonks were. He took a seat, feeling like he couldn't breathe, like ice was taking over his body. Then Remus' arm draped over his shoulders and he felt warmer, he felt calmer.

It seemed like hours that they sat there, watching people approach the casket, but it was only a short time before a small man moved up to the front.

"Today we are here to lay to rest Lord Sirius Orion Black, or as he liked to be called, the White Sheep of the Black Family. He was a good man, with a good heart. He had a good sense of humour and always was there for a laugh. He was a son, father, brother, lover, and friend. He leaves behind a son in his godson Harry Potter and a fiancée in Miss Zahira Zacarias. He will be greatly missed, by not only family and friends, but by the Wizengamot, where he served as a savvy member. We will remember him."

The man said some more things, but Harry didn't comprehend them. Then they were standing and Ginny was holding his hand again as the casket was levitated forward in their walking procession down the little path to the cemetery. Harry's eyes stared at the names of his parents' graves and then he turned to watch the casket lower into the ground. The sound of the earth hitting the wood caused a sobbing sound to escape from Zee; Harry looked over to see Misha holding her close.

Then it was over.

People were coming up to them one by one to offer their condolences. Harry found himself nodding and saying thank you, but not really comprehending the words or movements. They had kept the funeral small, only close family and friends and a few key Wizengamot members including Minister Bones and Miranda Jameson. Althea and Xander came to pay their respects along with Apollo and Medea; Harry just stared into space.

As the last people left them alone, he stared at the carved headstone. The smooth white marble matched the one of his parents next to it and as Harry read the words, grief tore through him again.

In Loving Memory

Sirius Orion "Padfoot" Black

b. 3 November 1959

d. 18 June 1996

"Touch my tears with your lips, touch my world with your fingertips,

And we can have forever."

This star we will miss forever.

The lyrics to the Queen song fit. He had chosen them himself when Remus asked for a quote suggestion, but seeing them engraved in the marble was too much, and he didn't bother wiping the tears that rolled down his cheeks. Then Zee was urging him along, telling him that they were going back to Shoreditch for food and drinks where Ted and Andy were opening their home.

He and Ginny stood there holding hands for another ten minutes before Harry nodded and they left the graveyard. They met Remus at the edge of the cemetery to Apparate to the Tonks' residence.

The moment he arrived, Harry shuffled himself to a chair in the corner of the living room and didn't move until Ginny brought him a plate of food. She made herself comfortable on his lap, the plate resting on her knees as she held up a cracker with a slice of cheese and turkey on it.

"Open."

Harry did as she instructed and chewed methodically. He swallowed before he answered. "I'm not hungry."

Ginny nodded. "I know. Open."

He cleaned the plate before Ginny put her arms around him.

"This is nice. Sirius would have liked this, all these people here to say nice things about him."

Harry snorted a little at that before he caught himself. "Yeah, yeah he would."

She traced his bottom lip with her finger. "It's okay to laugh, Harry. He would want you to. You have to remember all the good times with him, all the laughs and the great memories. To honour his life."

"His life shouldn't be over yet," he told her.

Ginny's chocolate eyes meant his. "His life wasn't meaningless, so don't let his death be." When he didn't answer she rested her head over his heart. "I remember this one afternoon when I was little, you and Ron had kicked me out of the treehouse. I stomped back into the cottage yelling that boys were stupid and Sirius only laughed and told me he was a boy so he wasn't sure what I expected him to say. I crawled into his lap and told him since he wasn't a stupid boy, but a stupid man, he had to tell me a love story."

Harry's fingers played with the tresses of her long red hair absently. "He doesn't know any love stories."

"That's what he told me," she said with a smile. "But I told him that I didn't believe him and he told me one anyway. A love story about a bloke named Star and his two best friends, Jim and Lilah, and how they fell in love. Now I know it was about your parents, but back then, I just thought he had made it up."

"Of course he named himself Star," Harry muttered.

Ginny chuckled against him. "You said that's why he picked out the cathedral star ring for Zee."

"Yeah... and now he'll never get to marry her."

Ginny tilted her head up to kiss his chin. "But he gave her you. You're both going to miss him more than life, Harry, but he left you each other."

He nodded. He had, but it didn't make the pain of losing him any easier to bear.

Ginny rested her cheek against his heart again before she spoke. "I'm going to miss those ridiculous howlers he used to send you, where he would try to lecture you, but you could tell that he was just proud of his little Marauder."

Harry grinned at that. "Remember when Ron and I flew the car to Hogwarts? He was so proud."

"Or when you answered the mirror when we were snogging and he just knew exactly what he'd interrupted."

"He always has the right timing, doesn't he? I mean, he had…"

Ginny smiled. "He really loved showing me all the photos of you as a kid, the ones wearing dresses… the naked baby ones were the best."

"Uncalled for," he told her.

She smiled. "I love the one of you as a baby, tugging on his lip, trying to wake him up. It's a gorgeous photo and it's lovely to see it hanging in the hall. You loved each other from the beginning. When you think of Sirius, what do you think of?"

He was quiet for a moment. "Home. Safety. Laughter."

Ginny didn't say anything; she just continued to rest her cheek against his heart. It was only a few moments before Harry spoke up again.

"One time, Neville and I built an entire fort out of cheese, bread, and fruit… Uncle Siri told us it was fantastic, but that he wasn't making lunch so we had to eat our way out of it."

She grinned. "That sounds fun."

"When he gave me the treehouse… dancing in the living room to his classic rock songs… the pranks. Merlin, when I dyed his hair white I thought he would kill me."

Ginny laughed. "He liked to be dramatic."

"Always. Just knowing he's always there, I mean was…"

Harry swallowed the lump in his throat and hugged Ginny, not speaking. He looked up when Zee approached him and offered her a small smile when she sat next to him.

"How are you holding up, sweetie?"

Harry shrugged. "Okay, I guess."

"We're just talking about Sirius," Ginny told her. "How did you first meet him?"

Zee smiled, her eyes lighting up in laughter. "Oh, well, Lady Godiva pounced on him and he petrified her. You see, I'd just moved in next door a few weeks earlier and decided to go for a walk with Lady G. She caught the scent of something and took off. When I chased her down, I found a ridiculously attractive man, shirtless in black worm denim and sunglasses, who had petrified my panther. I yelled at him."

Harry grinned. "I don't think I ever knew that. How exactly you met, that is."

She nodded. "We argued and I told him to let Lady G go, he called me brainless and we argued again and then I saw his motorbike. I drooled a little over the bike and went home. After I got over my annoyance, I realized that I had an incredibly sexy neighbour who worked on bikes while his son was at school, and I was intrigued, thought maybe I should try to get to know him a little. But work became crazy and it was a few weeks later before I ventured off on another walk and this time he was holding a baby and standing in front of a beautiful woman, in case Lady Godiva decided to pounce, and I remember thinking — damn, he's married."

Ginny laughed. "Who was the woman?"

"Althea. She'd come over for a visit and brought Niko and Nilo. I saw him working on the bikes again a little bit later and I came over to ask him about the bikes, I thought even though he's married, he might be able to help me with my bike if I be nice to him and well, I found out he wasn't married and we hit it off."

"So you went on a date?" Ginny asked her. "Who asked who out first?"

Zee blushed. "Actually, we shagged and then ate leftovers. Sirius and I never really went on any dates. We got to know each other for a week or two and then I left for work. I came back just before Christmas for a few days and he told me all about Harry. We just... we hit it off. There was this instant connection that I can't explain."

"Then I made him break up with you," Harry muttered.

Zee reached out to squeeze his hand. "You were jealous. It was kind of cute and once I realized that Sirius had been an arse to make Harry happy, I think I started falling for him for real. I let myself see it as more than just a fling."

Harry stared at her. "After... after Bellatrix... he said that I was the best thing he ever did and that he loved me and that he loved you. It was his last words: Tell Zee that I love her."

Tears welled up in Zee's eyes and she put her hand over her mouth. She shook her head at them and hurried off. Harry exchanged a look with Ginny as Tonks moved to sit with them.

"Hey, did you two see where Zee went? Mum wants to make sure that she eats something."

Harry shook his head. "I think that she was getting sick actually."

"Sick! Ooh, right. I'll go check on her."

Harry stared at Ginny. "What was that about?"

Ginny shook her head. "I'm not sure."

Remus took Tonks' vacated seat. "Did you eat something, Little Prongs?"

"Ginny made sure."

"Good," he said. "Harry, Sirius' estate lawyer wants to talk to us now. Are you up for that?"

Harry wasn't sure if he was up for it, but he knew that it had to be done. "I guess so, yeah."

"Ted's giving us the kitchen to talk."

Ginny stood up, tugging Harry to his feet and standing on her toes to kiss him softly. "I'll be here when you get back."

He nodded and followed Remus into the kitchen. A man in plum dress robes with a rather obnoxious red and blue striped tie sat at the table. It was only a few moments before Zee and Tonks came in along with McGonagall.

"Are you okay?" Harry asked Zee, moving to help her to a seat.

Zee squeezed his hand gratefully. "I'm fine, sweetie, thanks."

"Are you sick?"

Zee smiled at him. "I'm okay, I promise."

"If everyone is here, I'd like to get started," the lawyer said, turning Harry's attention away from his mother.

Everyone sat around the table and waited.

The man unrolled the parchment in front of him and cleared his throat.

"Lord Sirius Orion Black updated his will in July of 1995. The only person not present today is Draco Malfoy, who has already signed the documents pertaining to his inheritance through his father Lucius Malfoy, signed 30th June, 1985. As there have been no changes on that front, his presence is not required today to hear the estate reading."

The man turned the will to show the signatures and then pulled out an orb from his bag. He tapped his wand on the ball three times and a life-sized image of Sirius appeared in the room.

"Is this thing working?" Sirius demanded.

"Just speak your will, Lord Black."

Sirius sighed dramatically. "So much work, I mean honestly, none of you are even going to see this. All right," he said slowly, puffing out his chest as he spoke. "I will speak my will — ooh I like that."

"Lord Black —"

"— Yeah, yeah, I'm going," he muttered, clearing his throat again "I, Sirius Orion Black, the White Sheep of the Black Family, a Marauder, the one true star, and greatest and sexiest man to ever walk this earth, has unfortunately died. I say 'unfortunately' because I know that all of you are going to miss me — as you should — but you should also know that what I expect of you now is that you must all make sacrifices to me every full moon at midnight — just kidding. Mostly. But I wouldn't mind a pint or two being raised in my name."

He winked and Harry couldn't help but smile seeing his father before him, so full of life, so alive. It was like he was right here, in the room with them. He almost swore he could smell him, forest and leather.

"All funny business aside, I delegated and divided the Black Estate a long time ago. I didn't want the title of Falmouth then, and frankly, I still don't want it now — which is why I promised that it would be bestowed upon my second cousin, Draco Lucius Malfoy, unless my little swimmers made a good run and Zee's up the duff. Then sorry mate, my child gets that right! Scary thought, me reproducing, but I suppose Harry turned out all right, so it wouldn't be too awful of a thought." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Let's keep that between us, shall we? I don't think I'm ready to tell Zee that I want a baby yet."

"Lord Black, this isn't meant to me a monologue," the lawyer interrupted in the background.

Sirius waved him off in the background and rolled his eyes. "Lawyers, they take the fun out of everything." He clasped his hands together and then grinned. "As I was saying, Draco gets the title permitting I haven't reproduced, otherwise the properties and gold he was promised are still his, no matter what. Now, onto Remus — my best mate, my brother at heart, my co-parent of Harry over the years, the Moomy to my Dadfoot, I bequeath you ten percent of all of my wealth — don't argue with me. You deserve it. Wolf John Wolf has full rights to every percent. To Minnie, the one true love of my life. You were the mother I never knew I needed, my friend, my confidant, and my advisor. You were more to me than just an old professor, and I know that I'm the son you always wanted. Don't cry too hard for me, Minnie. You made my life brighter. I wish that I'd had you and Fee around when I was a little kid, I think I would have liked having real mums. You taught me how to stand up for myself, how to stand for what I believe in, and most of all, you taught me how to choose my own family. Minnie, I leave you the ruby and gold ring that belonged to my grandfather, and my stocks in Quality Quidditch Supplies. Don't shed too many tears over me, Minnie — who am I kidding? Your life will never be the same without me!"

McGonagall snorted and Harry turned to see her mopping her eyes with a handkerchief. "That snarky prat," she murmured.

"I know that you probably just called me a snarky prat or a sassy git, but we both know that I'm telling the truth, Minnie," Sirius continued. He gave a winning smile as if he was thinking about something before he spoke. "Remember the first time I proposed to you to get out of detention? You're the best, Minnie, and I expect you to let Nyx guard you and keep you safe. Now, moving on down my list. Andy, Ted, you two have been family over the years and I know that with everything that happened, Andy wants nothing of the Black fortune. I respected her wishes, to an extent, by giving it over to your daughter a few years back. You however, are also being left ten percent of the Black wealth. You deserve it. Leave it to your daughter if you insist or give it to charity, but it's yours. To Zahira Zelena Zacarias, my Zee, the woman who finally tamed me. I love you, and I'm sorry to leave you, but I hope that I went out in a blaze of glory. You ask about my conscience and I offer you my soul. You ask if I'll grow to be a wise man, well, I ask if I'll grow old. You ask me if I've known love, and what it's like to sing songs in the rain, well, I've seen love come and I've seen it shot down, I've seen it die in vain. Shot down in a blaze of glory, take me now, but know the truth, 'cause I'm going down in a blaze of glory… well, I hope I went out that way. Just tell me one thing — my hair still looks fantastic, right?"

Zee let out a tiny gasped sob and Tonks squeezed her hand.

"And don't mock the Bon Jovi, babe, I know that you were thinking the same damn thing. Zee, I know that you don't need or want anything from me, but I leave you Black Cottage and all that entails, along with my savings vault at Gringotts. It's for you. Use it wisely. Fuck that, be irresponsible and spend it all on those damn Jimmy Choos you love so damn much. I love you and I just want you to be happy. Take care of our boy. He loves you, too. You made me a better man, Zee, and I hope that you know how much you mean to me. I love you. When we make love it's understood it's more than a touch or a word we say. Only in dreams could it be this way, when you love someone. Yeah, really love someone. I know it's right, from the moment I wake up till deep in the night. There's nowhere on earth that I'd rather be than holding you, tenderly. I've been waiting for a girl like you," he recited softly.

Zee was crying openly now, her fist in her mouth as Tonks rubbed her back in small circles. Harry reached out to take her arm and she held him tightly by her side.

Sirius was quiet for a long moment before he continued. "If I could write the words like Foreigner does I would, but I don't always have the words, so I quote song lyrics instead. I love you, Zahira. Always." His hand reached up to fiddle with the silver hoop in his ear as he cleared his throat. "To Nymphadora Andromeda Mary-Ellen Tonks Lupin... you have my best mate, what more do you want from me? Just kidding, you've already inherited what belongs to you. Use it well. And finally, to Harry James Potter, my godson, the son of my heart, my child, my little Prongslet — Merlin, how I love you."

Harry swallowed at those words, his grip tightening on Zee's arm as he stared up at the image of Sirius and tried not to let the tears fall.

"The moment your father placed you in my arms, I was in love. I had never held anything so small and so precious. I knew that I would protect you with my life, that I would fight for you. I planned on being the cool uncle, the one who snuck you Firewhiskey, the one to help you get girls, and the one to help you get out of trouble, but well, we both know that didn't quite happen. I hope that I still managed to be a little bit of a cool uncle even though I had to be a father too. I'm sorry that I had to leave you, Harry. You know that I didn't choose to. I would never choose to leave you. Being asked to be your godfather was the proudest moment of my life. Getting the chance to be your dad, was the most rewarding thing that I ever could have imagined. You're the best of Jamie and Lily, the best of Moony and I, and I know that he would agree with me when I say that you're the greatest gift to us. I love you. I love you more than anything. You are my world and you and me, we make a pretty damn good team. You, me, and Moony, we're a family and even though I had to leave you, we will always be a family."

A tear escaped and Harry ignored it, his eyes on the image of his father and his heart beating extra hard in his chest. Remus' arm tugged him closer as Harry held onto Zee on the other side of him.

"We made Zee part of our family and Merlin, she's special, isn't she? Has to be to put up with us. Take care of her, Prongslet. You made her your mum and she needs you just as much as you need her. I want you and Uncle Moony to look out for each other, for Zee, and for Tonks. Be a family and do that for me, for each other. Well, I guess I have to move onto the official estate stuff as this lawyer bloke is giving me the stink eye."

"It's not a stink eye," the voice said in the background.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "It's my last will and testament, I should be able to ramble as much as I damn well want to. What, I can't swear now either? Fucking hell. Er, right, we'll fix that later." He cleared his throat again and grinned. "Harry, we talked about this already, and if I get my butt in gear this summer, we'll have already done everything involving your title and estates, so this shouldn't come as a shock to you. But you have twenty percent of my estate, Number Twelve is yours, and I guess by default, Kreacher is too. He'll do what you say, Harry, he's come a long way and is a good elf. Treat him right. I love you, kid. Don't ever forget that. Don't ever forget that I would never leave you by choice. Remember: Love you forever and forever, love you with all my heart. Love you whenever we're together, love you when we're apart. And when at last I find you, your song will fill the air. Sing it loud so I can hear you, make it easy to be near you. For the things you do endear me to you, you know, I will. I'll always be with you, Harry. Always… oh, and one more thing, if I have any white hair when you bury me, I'm coming back to haunt your arse! Are we clear?"

There was a low mumbling and Sirius rolled his eyes.

"Apparently that's not appropriate will language, pfft! Whatever! None of you will probably see this anyway. Will reading over and all that. Peace."

Sirius snapped his fingers and the image of Sirius vanished into the air.

The lawyer cleared his throat. "I have the formal parchments to be signed here to those who were named in the will. If there are any questions I'd be happy to answer them."

Zee turned in Harry's arms, tears streaming down her cheeks and Harry held her close, nodding as he blinked back his own tears. It had felt so real, like he had been there in the room with them.

He met his father's tear-filled gaze and and he knew that it had been real. Sirius had given the final word in typical Sirius fashion, leaving them with his dramatics and his smile. But after everything, it had finally sunk in.

Sirius was gone.

It was time for them to pick up the pieces and do what was next. Harry just wasn't sure how to do that yet. But he knew one thing with absolute certainty — he wouldn't be doing it alone.

Harry kissed Zee's cheek when she pulled back and she smiled at him.

He still had a family and a home and Sirius had given him that. Sirius had given him everything — a second chance for both of them.

And they'd lived it well.

End Author's Notes:

Writing the words of this last chapter, it felt like the end of ASC, but I can assure you — it's not. It is however, the end of Sirius Black. I cried while I wrote his death. I agonized over doing it, but it was something that I knew I would do from the moment I started this story. As I mentioned in the author's note of 219, I wrote his death back in November of 2018 — I knew it was coming! Writing it as a fake-out back in third year was almost practice for my grief. I know that some of you may have stopped reading this story by now in anger, and that's your choice, but as I say in every chapter, I write for myself first. Having you all read it is absolutely incredible and I am honoured each week to see you all read it, to hear your thoughts and your comments. Sirius Black has always been my favourite character in the Potter universe and I love him and I'm sad to see him go, but remember, there are ways that he won't be gone forever — we have memories that will come back, along with something else I plan on doing. And he left us a little something — twins. But he is one hundred percent, dead. Try not to use any dolls with too much likeness of me when you stab them with needles, I do want to finish this story, even though Sirius is gone.

But this in part would end part seven if this were a series.

Part I — Chapters 1-49: Harry's first year with his dads

Part II — Chapters 50-61: Harry growing up with a family, ages 7-11

Part III — Chapters 62-73: First year

Part IV — Chapters 74-105: Second year

Part V — Chapters 106-143: Third year

Part VI — Chapters 144-179: Fourth year

Part VII — Chapters 180-222: Fifth year

Part VIII — Chapters 223-present: Sixth year

However, I am too committed now to stop it here and start a new one so it will go on as one long epic novel for those who are kind enough to keep reading it.

I don't own the lyrics used above those belong to Queen, Bon Jov, Foreigner, and the Beatles. Thank you as always and please review!