Disclaimer: As always, the HP universe and its canon elements belong to JK Rowling.
Warnings/Author's Notes: Although it won't appear until Chapter 3, this story contains the depiction of corporal punishment and a homosexual relationship. If this bothers you, please read something else. As you may have noticed from Chapter 1, there are parts of this story that go along with canon and parts that do not. This trend will continue throughout the story.
Parings: Sirius/Remus with references to Ron/Hermione and Harry/Ginny
Reviews: Always welcome
Chapter 2: A Reunion
Remus shifted Aethra's weight on his hip and found himself kissing the top her head as he walked slowly from The Burrow's back door to the garden wall. "Isn't it a pretty night, Aethra?" he asked.
Aethra didn't respond. She just wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand.
Remus set her on the stone wall and took out his handkerchief. "Here, let me." He carefully wiped away all the wet from her cheeks and gently dabbed at her eyes. "Do you want to blow your nose?"
Aethra nodded so he gave the handkerchief to her.
Once she'd cleared out her air ways a little bit, he picked her up again, and started pointing out the stars that he could see. Sirius, the eye of Canis Major was easy to spot, but just the thought of him, their child that was in Remus's arms, and the knowledge that Aethra was something they wouldn't be able to share was making him get a little choked up.
"Where'm I going to go now?" she asked suddenly, interrupting his telling of how the Gemini twins came to be.
Remus squeezed her gently and kissed the top of her head again. "You're going to live with me," he answered. He still didn't know where that was going to be, but he had definitely decided to take on the responsibility of rearing his own daughter. It was one thing to shake off the advances of Tonks, especially since Remus considered himself to be gay, but it was something else entirely to turn his back on his own flesh and blood. He wondered if Pearl had somehow known about him and Sirius. That would have explained why she only made one.
"You?" she echoed.
Remus nodded. "If it's okay with you, that is."
Aethra nodded before laying her head on his chest.
"Aethra, did your Aunt Pearl ever tell you about your parents?" he asked, sitting on the wall and settling her on his lap.
Aethra shook her head. "No."
"She never told me about my little girl, either," he replied.
Aethra was still for a moment and then she pulled back to look him in the face.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Aethra Lupin," she replied.
Remus grinned at her. "My name is Remus Lupin. I guess that means that we go together."
"Like a puzzle?" she asked curiously. For once, her voice didn't sound dead.
Remus chuckled. "Exactly like a puzzle. See? You fit right here," he said as he gently pressed her against his chest again.
Aethra snuggled into him. "Where's my mummy?"
Remus sighed. That would be something harder to explain. "Um. . . well, you don't have a mummy," he answered.
Aethra looked up with an expression of confusion.
"You, my little angel, are super special because you had two daddies to help make you." Remus had no desire to explain the birds and the bees to her, let alone the ways Pearl had fudged the laws of nature, but he didn't want Aethra to ever feel ashamed for being different.
"Two?!" she asked. Her eyes got bigger, almost as if he'd promised her two desserts instead of one.
Remus chuckled. "Two," he repeated. "Your other daddy is my very good friend, Sirius Black."
Aethra looked around the garden and then peered into the house.
"No, no, sweetheart, he's not here," he explained. "He's had an accident and I don't know when you'll be able to see him." That wasn't a complete lie. No one new for sure what the veil in the Department of Mysteries was. No one had ever returned that fell into it, but no one had ever escaped Azkaban either.
Aethra frowned a little. "I c'n make him a get well card," she offered.
Remus beamed at her. "That would be very nice," he agreed.
"Is Mrs. Molly cooking?" she asked quietly, peeking over his shoulder.
"Are you hungry?" he replied with a smile. He was pretty sure that hunger was a good sign of trauma recovery, and he wondered why he hadn't thought of giving her a little bit of chocolate from the outset.
Aethra grinned shyly and nodded. "Kressy pushed me out before tea time."
"Kressy?" Remus asked as he stood up, gathering his daughter in his arms.
"Our elf!" she replied with a grin.
"Ah. Well there's always lots to eat here," he said as they stepped into the light that poured out of the house. "We're back!" he called cheerfully into the kitchen.
Remus was the first to admit he was nervous about having to learn the ropes of parenting on his own, but one look at Harry's eyes, Lily's eyes, and he knew that he had to try. Lily would have expected it of him. If Sirius knew that they had a little girl, Sirius would expect of him. If he was honest with himself, he expected it too. After all, how hard could one little girl be?
The next evening, Hermione sat on the stone wall of the Weasley's back garden with Ron and Harry, watching the sun go down. It had been a strange day. Remus seemed like a child learning to ride a bike as he stumbled his way through his first full day as a parent. He usually asked Mrs. Weasley for advice, but she almost always refused to give him specific answers. Kressy, Pearl's house elf, also arrived, but she only stayed long enough to see that Aethra was doing alright. After that, Remus sent her to Hogwarts with the understanding that she was not being punished in the slightest. He just didn't have a use for a house elf.
"Mum said he and Aethra can stay as long as they need to," Ron was saying as Hermione's thoughts returned to the present.
Harry nodded. "I think your mum likes a full house," he suggested.
Hermione laughed. "That's an understatement."
"If Sirius were here. . ." Harry began, but then he cut himself off.
"Do you know what I think?" Hermione asked them, trying to steer the subject away from Harry's godfather if at all possible.
"What?" Ron replied, looking at her lovingly. It was almost as if all those years of his complaining about her ideas had been a cover-up now that he always gave her his full and undivided attention.
"I think they should take a holiday together," Hermione said matter-of-factly.
Harry shook his head. "I doubt Remus can afford that. I mean they're staying here because he's been living in a one room flat for the last few months."
Hermione sighed. She'd forgotten about that. "But it would let them get to know each other," she pointed out.
"Why don't you go with?" Ron asked Harry, elbowing him gently.
"Me?" Harry replied. "Why me?"
"You're part of the family," Hermione said, thinking Ron had made a very good suggestion.
"How do you figure?" Harry asked.
Ron sighed. "Don't you think Remus is sort of like your uncle or something?" he asked.
Harry shrugged, but Hermione could see the look in his eye that admitted Ron was right.
"And suppose Sirius had taken care of you from the beginning," Hermione added, delving into what she knew was dangerous territory. The possible benefits were worth the risk. "That would make Aethra your god-sister."
"I don't know if Remus would just let me take him and Aethra on a holiday, though," Harry replied. "I don't want to strip away all of his pride. I respect him too much."
"Too bad we can't rig a contest or something," Ron said a little gloomily. Hermione, knowing Ron well enough to know that he wasn't really that unscrupulous decided not sound scandalized by his suggestion.
"Any big plans for tomorrow, kids?" asked Mr. Weasley as he walked up behind them.
They turned, shaking their heads. Hermione expected they'd spend the day doing the same thing they'd been doing – Wizard's Chess with a few games of Quidditch and reading.
"Don't know what to do with ourselves when we're not trying to do our own small part in defeating Voldemort," Ron replied. Ever since the final battle, Ron had used the villain's name without hesitation. It was a testament to the fact that the whole nightmare was finally over.
Mr. Weasley laughed. "Would you three mind taking charge of Aethra then?" he asked.
The boys shrugged, but Hermione nodded eagerly. It would be fun to baby-sit with Ron – sort of like practicing. That was assuming that he would ever ask the big question, of course. Hermione couldn't help but worry he was one of those guys that thought there was nothing wrong with never getting married. Hopefully he'd take Bill's example.
"Remus and I are going to Hogsmead to find some suitable housing for him and Aethra. It will be easier if she isn't along, and Molly, despite what she says, doesn't need a child underfoot," Mr. Weasley explained.
"What should we do with her, Dad?" Ron asked.
"Use your imagination," he replied with a wink at Hermione. "I'm sure you three will think of something."
Hermione nodded confidently. "Don't worry, Mr. Weasley. We'll keep her entertained." They could go for a picnic or play hide and seek or put a puzzle together. The possibilities were endless, and hopefully Ron would get to like the whole situation so much that he would be willing to try a version of his own.
Remus glanced at the Shrieking Shack with a little pang of regret as he and Arthur left the two story cottage they'd looked at just outside of Hogsmead, located off the main road, but within view of Hogwarts. There were plenty of cottages in England to choose from, but it seemed to Remus that if he was going to be teaching again he might as well live close to the castle on holidays. Moreover, he wasn't entirely sure that he would be able to have Aethra living at Hogwarts during the school year. While it wasn't common, it also wasn't unheard of for a teacher to live off the school grounds. Maybe it would be better for him to take residence off the grounds – especially when the moon was full.
"Did you like it?" Arthur asked.
Remus nodded. "It's certainly big enough. I don't know what I would do with four bedrooms, though."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "One for you, one for Aethra, one as a study, and one for Harry," he replied.
"It already has a study," Remus pointed out. "And do you really think Harry will want to come and live with us? I mean, he's officially an adult now."
"Of course he will!" Arthur exclaimed confidently. "In many ways he's still a boy, after all, no matter what he's experienced."
Remus had to agree with him on that – for the most part. Harry couldn't quite be considered a boy, but he wasn't quite emotionally mature enough to be an adult either. Sure, he'd learned to master his emotions during crises, and he'd coped with more grief than anyone at any age should have to, but there were still basic emotional milestones that Remus was pretty sure Harry had necessarily breezed right past without stopping to experience. Remus remembered his own experiences at that age and grimaced. He really did need supportive adults around and unfortunately, Remus just didn't feel adequate. Harry needed James or Sirius. They both did.
"Hallo!" called a familiar voice.
Arthur waved to someone behind Remus and he turned to see Hagrid coming towards them.
"Professor McGonagall told me you were to be teachin' again," Hagrid said with a big smile. "Wonderful news I tell ya!"
Remus smiled. "I've missed you too, Hagrid," he replied sincerely. Hagrid knew what it was like to be an outcast. Even if they didn't have too many common interests, they had common ground.
"And I heard 'bout the little one," he continued. "Can't wait to meet her!"
Arthur smiled broadly. "See, Remus? You could live in the castle if you
wanted."
Remus chuckled. "Although I value Hagrid's opinion, I don't know that he speaks for the entire faculty."
"Well o' course you'll be livin' in the castle!" Hagrid replied with a great clap on Remus's back.
"Aethra. . ." Remus began, but Hagrid cut him off.
"Will be the delight of everyone. I. Am. Sure."
Remus laughed. "Or the terror." Honestly, he'd seen no evidence that Aethra would be a behavioral problem, but he'd only spent a day with her. She might have Sirius's serious disregard for rules and if Poppy was right about her temper. . .
Hagrid waved the suggestion off. "Oh I'm sure she won't be any such thing," he said confidently.
Arthur nodded as well. "Try it for a year anyway," he suggested. "You can save up and get something appropriate next summer if the situation doesn't work out."
"What about having a place for Harry to go on holidays?" Remus countered.
Arthur shook his head. "I'm sure he'd be happy to stay at Hogwarts with the two of you and he's always welcome at The Burrow. You all are."
Now Remus was feeling a little uncomfortable. He'd grown to think of the Weasleys as very dear friends over the last couple of years, but being made a part of the family so quickly was a bit dizzying. Still, it would have been rude to refuse Arthur's offer right there so he simply smiled. "The offer is very kind," he replied. "I won't forget it."
Hagrid grinned broadly. "So it's settled? You'll be living in the castle?"
Remus shrugged and let out a resigned sigh. "I suppose we will."
"Well if that's settled, then I don't suppose you will mind me going into work for a bit?" Arthur asked.
Remus shook his head. "Not at all," he replied and turned to Hagrid. "I don't suppose Professor McGonagall is in, is she?" Knowing how much Dumbledore was in and out of the castle during school holidays, he expected that Professor McGonagall's schedule may have been equally taxing. After ally, she was still trying to find a new Transfiguration teacher.
"She is indeed," Hagrid replied to Remus's surprise.
"I'd better go and make arrangements with her then," he said.
"It was good seeing you Hagrid," Arthur said, taking out his wand. "Remus, I'll
see you back at the burrow."
Remus nodded and turned to head up the road to the castle with Hagrid.
"Really Remus, when will you stop calling me Professor McGonagall like a student and call me Minerva like a teacher?" the thin woman asked impatiently as she sat down behind the big head master's, or rather, head mistress's desk.
Remus chuckled self-consciously. "Sorry," he replied. "I suppose its habit."
"Well break it," she said curtly, but Remus knew she wasn't angry. He'd seen her truly angry in the days after James and Lily had been murdered as well as when Voldemort was attacking Hogwarts with the Death Eaters and he didn't want to see her like that ever again. "How was yesterday?" she asked.
He cleared his throat nervously. "Molly is no help what-so-ever," he replied feeling almost as defeated in his new endeavor as he probably sounded.
Minerva nodded. "In other words she's giving you the best help you can get. Good!"
Remus scoffed out loud. "She won't answer any of my questions," he replied a little indignantly.
"And well she shouldn't," Minerva replied firmly. "If you ask her something about the child's health or safety, I imagine she would answer you without hesitation, but you're probably asking her procedural questions, and those answers are the ones you will have to learn for yourself through trial and error. I believe that is how most parents do it."
Remus realized that she was right. Molly had been very informative about what sort of things Aethra should eat and how to make sure the bath water wasn't too hot. "I just don't want to lose credibility while I'm learning," he explained to Minerva helplessly. "What if she takes after Sirius?"
Minerva laughed. "You mean what if she thinks rules are merely suggestions?"
Remus nodded. "I don't know that I can punish her, but if she thinks I'm spineless then she'll know I can't. I learned enough as a teacher to know how perceptive kids are."
"They are," Minerva agreed. "But I recall hearing a tale about you dressing down Mr. Potter, despite what he meant to you personally."
"I had forgotten about that," Remus admitted sheepishly. "Can you talk like that to a child as young as Aethra, though?"
Minerva laughed. "I doubt it would be very effective. Still, you won't know what sort of discipline is best until you have to try it. I won't flat out give you answers any faster than Molly Weasley and I am less qualified to do so in this particular area, but I promise that I will give you whatever other support you need to raise your new daughter, and perhaps we can encourage her to be a bit more Lupin than Black."
Remus shuddered. Except for Sirius, all of the Black family members had gone to Slytherin. What would he ever do with a child destined for Slytherin?! He worried about that thought as Minerva produced several floor plans, each depicting available teachers' apartments in the castle. Seeing as how he was also being named the head of Gryffindor House, it seemed like a good idea to take the apartment closest to Gryffindor Tower. He soon found himself thanking her and moving towards the door when he thought of something he hadn't before. "What about Aethra and school?" he asked, turning around. "She looks to be about the right age for starting primary school."
Minerva looked up. "I'm so glad you remembered that little issue," she answered coolly. "I would suggest you speak with Sir Nicholas. I'm sure that one of the ghosts in the castle could serve as a grammar school tutor."
Remus smiled. "Thank you, Minerva. I will." He walked down the spiral staircase and started down the hall, trying to sort out the to-do list in his head. Should he talk to Sir Nicholas before returning to The Burrow or wait until the school year was a bit closer? After all, it was only the fourth week of June, so there wasn't any rush. If he was honest with himself, he was eager to get back to The Burrow and Aethra. He was wondering how she was doing with Harry, Hermione, and Ron. He was walking down the front stairs of the castle so that he could leave the school grounds and therefore apparate to The Burrow when he heard a somewhat familiar squeaky voice from behind him.
"Master Remus sir!"
Remus turned around to see Kressy trotting towards him carrying what looked like a towel or a rag. He almost wondered if she were carrying some other elf's personal garment, but what she was carrying wasn't dirty enough for that. "Hello, Kressy," he replied.
"Kressy went back, Master Remus sir. Oh everything ruined!" she exclaimed. "Miss Pearl and little Aethra's things. . . . all broken and ruined!"
Remus nodded. When he'd gone with some of the aurors to Black Cherry Lane to investigate the sudden use of the Cruciatus Curse at the address, all he'd found was a mess. The Death Eaters had torn apart the house, ravaging its possessions. He didn't realized it at the time, but they were probably looking for the potion or its recipie. As he thought about it more, he wondered why they had killed Pearl after torturing her. It would have been more productive to make her drink Veritaserm if the pain of the curse didn't make her talk. He was also worried about how they would have found about the potion. It's existence was supposed to be a very well kept secret. "Don't worry Kressy. I'll make sure Aethra gets some more clothes and toys." He wasn't sure how to pay for any, but maybe Molly and Arthur still had some of Ginny's old things.
Kressy smiled and jumped up and down gratefully. "But you must give her this. Mistress Pearl forgot," she squeaked, handing Remus the cloth in her hand.
"What is it?" Remus asked unfolding it. He realized it wasn't a towel but a small, plain lavender blanket with a monogram embroidered on one corner.
"Blanket for Aethra. No more crying with blanket," Kressy squeaked.
"You mean it's her security blanket?" Remus asked, suddenly remembering how important something like that was. Aethra had cried herself to sleep the night before and Remus had been at a complete loss for how to make her feel better. Hopefully, Kressy was right and the blanket would make a big difference.
Kressy nodded. "Yes, Master Remus sir."
Remus ran his finger along the letters of the monogram. A, L, and L. "What does the other L stand for?" he asked Kressy.
"Lily, Master Remus sir."
"Lily," he echoed in a whisper. "Good thinking, Pearl." He looked from the blanket to Kressy. "Is that Aethra's middle name?"
Kressy nodded. "Yes! Pretty name. Pretty baby!"
Remus laughed. "Yes, I imagine she was a pretty baby. Thank you, Kressy."
Kressy just smiled adoringly up at Remus. After a few minutes she started to back up. "Kressy go back to kitchens now," she volunteered.
Remus nodded dumbly as he looked at the blanket in his hands. Had Aethra really been that small? He tried to imagine her in the blanket and what it would have been like to hold her. It didn't take long for his imagination to conjure Sirius's presence in the scene and he immediately felt a stab of pain in his heart. He was upset that Sirius wasn't there to share Aethra with him and he was upset that they'd both missed out on Aethra's infancy and early childhood. He shook his head, before his regret could develop into unjustified anger, and hurried down the rest of the stairs. It was time to get back. Aethra would be very happy to see her blanket, and Remus wanted to see her smile more than anything in the world at that precise moment.
Remus and Aethra were sharing Fred and George's old room. It was just big enough for two beds, a chest of drawers, and a rocking chair. The rocking chair had been Molly's idea, and it proved to be a very good idea. Every night after dinner and her bath, Remus and Aethra cuddled in the rocking chair with her blanket and a book. Then they'd talk a little bit, getting to know one another, before Remus tucked her into bed. It had only been seven days since meeting Aethra, but Remus knew without a doubt that he would have gladly given his life for her.
With her tucked in and asleep, he made his way back down to the sitting room where everyone was talking quietly. He noticed that Harry and Ginny were taking turns staring at each other. Why they didn't just give up the charade and reconnect, Remus couldn't understand, but he wasn't sure how to approach Harry with his advice so he continued to shake his head from the sideline. Maybe Harry just needed a little more time after all that happened with Voldemort.
"I'm going to the market tomorrow, Remus," Molly said with a quill in her hand. "Anything you two need?"
"Uh, yes," he replied. "I have a list of ingredients that I will need to brew a potion."
Molly nodded. "I understand. Just let me know."
Remus smiled gratefully. He still hadn't figured out how to tell Aethra about being gone for a night. Considering it would be a repetitive event, he wondered if he could tell her that he had a business trip or something. Of course, that wouldn't work once he was at Hogwarts. He went back upstairs to get the list.
When he came back down again, Arthur was talking to someone through the floo.
"There's a muggle phone call here at the Ministry for Harry Potter," said the unfamiliar face in the fire. "I tried Grimmauld Place, but the elf over there said to try here."
Harry looked up curiously. "A phone call for me?" he asked.
The head nodded. "If you could floo over here and come to the muggle relations office, we will keep the call on hold."
Harry nodded and slipped his robe on. "I'm on my way." He took some floo powder from the pot on the mantle and after the ministry worker's head vanished from the flames, stepped into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic." There was a roar of green flame and Harry was gone.
With that little bit of excitement over, Hermione excavated herself from Ron's lap and approached Remus with a rolled up piece of parchment. "This came by owl earlier."
Remus smiled up at her. If Aethra turned out a little bit like her, Remus would be a very happy man. "Thank you, Hermione." He unrolled the parchment and smiled, seeing that it was Aethra's official birth certificate. It was signed by Dumbledore and Poppy, and the parents listed were Remus Lupin and Sirius Black. Remus noted the date, realizing that he hadn't actually asked Aethra how old she was. He was assuming that she was four or maybe five.
July the first. . . that would make her. . . "Molly? What day is it?" he asked.
"The twenty-ninth," Molly answered.
Remus choked a little. "Aethra's birthday is in two days. I'm glad I didn't miss it. I wouldn't be much of a father if I missed my daughter's birthday."
"Cool!" Ginny replied with a smile. "It's been ages since we had a little kids' party."
"I don't expect it will be very typical, Gin," Arthur pointed out. "Aethra doesn't have a whole bunch of little friends to invite."
"We'll play with her," Hermione said, smiling at Ginny. "And let her win if we can."
Remus laughed a little. "Don't go all out, girls. Cake and ice cream will be plenty, I'm sure." What he didn't say was that the idea of having a big party without her other father there made him very uncomfortable. They should be trading a camera back and forth while the other one chases her around the yard or presents her with the cake. He knew that Molly and Arthur would help Remus with pictures, and Remus intended to take plenty since he'd already missed the first five years, but without Sirius, something was seriously lacking.
"Of course we'll go all out," Molly replied. "Children's parties are lots of fun."
Remus sighed, knowing he wasn't going to win the argument without being rude and held up his hands in surrender. "Alright," he agreed. "Whatever you ladies want."
There was a rush of green in the fireplace and Harry stepped back out, headed directly for the sofa and collapsed onto it. He looked like he was in shock.
Remus stood up and walked over to him, placing a hand on his back. "Harry? What's wrong?" He couldn't imagine anything worse than Voldemort, but then no one had imagined anything as bad as Voldemort before his rise to power. Still, it would have been nice if the Fates could give them at least a few months to catch their breaths.
Harry looked up and even though he wasn't flushed or trembling, Remus could see his eyes glistening. "Sirius," he answered.
Remus frowned. "What about him?"
Harry swallowed hard and took a deep breath. "Sirius is in America," Harry said slowly. "I don't know how he got there. I had to tell the guy on the phone that he was lost while I was on vacation, but it was someone from the Las Vegas Humane Society. They found a dog with a collar and tags. It's a big, black dog named Snuffles and the number on the tag was the Ministry's muggle contact number."
Everyone was staring at Harry in disbelief including Remus. He could understand why Harry was holding back tears. If it was a joke, it was cruel. If it was real, it was too wonderful to express.
"So what do we do?" Remus asked, allowing himself to belief that it was all true.
Harry took a breath and stood up. "Kingsley was there. He said I can floo to the Nevada Regional Office of the Department of Magic in America. From there, I'll have to arrange muggle transportation."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Remus asked. He wasn't trying to imply that Harry was incapable of taking care of himself, but with Sirius and James gone, he'd been trying to step up to the godfather plate.
Harry looked up at him and smiled. "Thanks, but of all the adventures I've had, this one will probably be pretty tame."
Everyone chuckled. Harry had a point.
Remus nodded. "Okay. When are you going to leave?"
"Immediately. I'm going to go to Gringotts first," Harry answered as he stood up. "I just need to run upstairs and get a knapsack." He looked into Remus's eyes and grinned. "I honestly never. . ."
Remus smiled back at him. "I know, Harry. I know."
Harry didn't wait a moment longer. He was up the stairs in a flash and within twenty minutes had apparated to Diagon Alley. Remus would have loved to go with him, but he was sure that Harry and Sirius should be allowed to reunite first. Besides, he wouldn't have been able to take Aethra along. It was possible Harry would be gone during the full moon, and above all else, Remus needed more time to come up with a revelation plan. Somehow buying Sirius a fire whiskey from the Leaky Cauldron and saying "Congratulations, It's a girl," didn't seem appropriate.
The Regional Office of Magic in Nevada gave Harry some information about traveling in Muggle America and even helped to call him a cab. Having never been to America before, he was completely entranced as he looked out the window of the taxi. It was an oasis of city in the middle of a desert and for the life of him, Harry couldn't figure out what the appeal was. Why had anyone wanted to build a city out there in the middle of no where?
Eventually, the cab dropped him off in front of a large building with the letters LVASPCA written across the top. He paid the driver, shouldered his backpack, and went in.
"Hi!" said a young lady behind the counter. She was wearing medical scrubs with little cartoon cats all over them.
"Hi," Harry replied. "My name is Harry Potter. I believe you have my dog here."
"What's his name?" she asked as she turned to a computer on the reception desk.
"Snuffles," Harry answered. "He's a big black dog. His contact information is international."
The girl smiled and nodded. "Ah yes. He's such a good dog!"
Harry smiled. "I'm glad he hasn't been any trouble." He didn't know what else to say that wouldn't sound weird.
"I'll just go back and get him." She stood up and disappeared through a swinging door.
Harry couldn't believe how anxious he was to see Sirius again, even if it was as Snuffles. Harry assumed Sirius would transform back into a human as soon as they found somewhere safe to do it. He had clothes in his knapsack that Sirius could change into, and then they'd figure out how to get home. If they had to use muggle transportation, Harry had money, but he wanted to get back home quickly and compared to magical transportation planes seemed to take forever.
"Here he is!" the girl called melodically as she followed the familiar black dog through the swinging door. I think he smelled you from his kennel. He's never been this excited just for a walk!"
"Snuffles!" Harry exclaimed happily. It really was him! He realized when he saw the huge, black dog that up until that moment, Harry still expected the whole thing to be a joke or a mistake. It was all real, though. Sirius was a live, healthy, and by the look of his tail, very happy.
Sirius jumped at him, knocking him off his footing and he licked Harry's face all over. It was a little weird when he realized his godfather was kissing his cheek like an overzealous grandmother, but Harry ultimately decided he didn't care.
Harry laughed and wrapped his arms around him. "I'm so glad you're okay!"
"Another family reunited," the girl mused happily.
"Thank you so much," he told her sincerely.
The girl held up a hand. "Don't mention it. He turned himself in. Must have gotten hungry enough."
Harry laughed. "How much do I owe you?"
The girl shook her head. "This one's on the house," she replied. "International courtesy."
"Thanks," Harry replied. He still took a twenty out of his wallet and put it in the donation jar, though. He'd been told that they were a non-profit organization so he wanted to make sure that his thanks was expressed loud and clear. "Come on, Snuffles." He put the leash he'd brought on Sirius and left.
"I don't know where to go so that you can change," he said once they were walking away from the building. "Any ideas?"
Sirius led him down the street to a fast food restaurant. Once they were in the back near the dumpsters, Sirius started pawing at Harry's bag.
"Oh, here," he said and held it out for Sirius to take in his teeth.
Sirius stared pointedly at a security camera.
"Um. . .the disillusion charm should work," Harry suggested, and he realized at that moment that apart from defending himself against evil wizards, he didn't readily know that many every day spells, at least he took him awhile to realize he knew an applicable one. Maybe Hermione was right. A seventh year at Hogwarts wouldn't be such a bad idea.
Sirius's head bobbed up and down.
Harry discreetly pulled out his wand and pointed it at Sirius while muttering the words under his breath. He never had gotten very good at silently casting spells.
Sirius took the moment to change back into a person. He looked exactly the same as he had when he'd fallen into the veil. "Thanks, Harry," he said. "I'm going to duck back here and change real quick."
Harry nodded and walked a few paces away to keep an eye out for muggles.
A few minutes later, Sirius was standing next to him beaming. "Do you have any idea how proud your dad would be? Heck, do you have any idea how proud I am?" he asked grabbing Harry into a big bear hug.
Harry laughed and returned the hug. "Thanks," he replied. "Do you have any idea how glad I am that you're alive?"
Sirius squeezed him tighter. "That makes two of us. So what is your plan for getting home? I'm dying to see everyone. How long has it been? You're quite a bit taller. Must have been awhile then."
Harry grinned at Sirius babbling, but he was a little confused. How did Sirius not know how long he'd been in the veil? "It's been two years," he answered. "And I'm hoping we can floo back from the Nevada Regional Office of Magic."
"Two years," Sirius breathed with a hint of sadness. "Well, there's no need to waste time around this place. We could floo back to Grimmauld Place or wherever you've been staying. Where have you been staying?"
"The Burrow," Harry replied.
Sirius laughed and clapped Harry on the back. "Of course. Molly and Arthur have been so good to you. We could go back there first and then I'll figure out if I even want to bother with the old house."
Harry nodded, understanding the sentiment. He'd spent quite awhile in Grimmauld Place the previous year, but even though Kreacher was in better spirits and it was in better repair than when Sirius had last known the house, Harry hadn't chosen to spend much time there since defeating Voldemort. As long as their was room, he much preferred bunking with Ron at the burrow. "It's getting pretty late in England," he pointed out. Then he thought of Remus and Aethra. Remus might not like being dropped in on without warning. "And Remus. . ."
"Remus is at The Burrow?" Sirius asked with a smile. "Does that mean he's working with Arthur then? Get a job at the Ministry I hope?"
"Uh. . . not exactly," Harry replied. Sirius was so excited and his excitement was infectious. Harry was having a hard time being rational.
Sirius looked down at him. How was he still so much taller than Harry? Wasn't Harry ever going to grow to an actual adult height? "Harry, what's wrong? Is something wrong with Remus?" Sirius asked, worry spreading across his face.
Harry shook his head. "No, no, it's just that. . ." How was he supposed to make everything work out right? "Um. . ."
"Harry. . ." Sirius said in a tone Harry hadn't really heard before, at least not from Sirius. Remus had used it a couple of times when he was scolding Harry, but it was a new experience to hear it from Sirius.
Harry winced, feeling helpless and uncertain. He didn't like that feeling or the memories it brought and he fought to keep it all under control.
Sirius put his hands on Harry's shoulders and shook him gently. "Come on, Harry. Just tell me. Even if it's a secret, it isn't worth getting worked up about."
Harry looked up at him and forced himself to take a long, shuddering breath. At least he didn't start blubbering. He looked at the restaurant and sighed. "Maybe I should tell you over dinner."
Sirius sized him up once more, nodded, and they went inside.
Sirius sat staring at Harry with the feeling that he'd just been run down by an avalanche. Dumbledore was dead, but so was Voldemort. Snape showed his true colors in the end. Sirius and Remus had a daughter?! That last revelation was so unbelievable, but at least he understood why Harry was hesitant about going back to The Burrow and nervous about telling Sirius anything. "Remus is probably worrying himself sick about how I'm going to take it," Sirius finally said and found his throat very dry.
Harry just nodded.
Sirius looked up. "Don't worry, Harry. I'm not angry or anything. I'm surprised mostly."
Harry laughed. "I can't see how you'd feel any different."
"Well I suppose the best way to handle the situation is to face it, eh?" Sirius asked Harry with a sly smile. "What do you say we get back there, then? It's probably the middle of the night, but I guarantee Remus is awake. Maybe we can talk before I meet this daughter of mine."
Harry nodded and started to get up, but then he sat back down. "First, Sirius," he said cautiously. "Will you tell me what happened to you?"
Sirius smiled sympathetically. He'd worried about Harry for so long. He couldn't imagine what it must have been like to finally have an adult that loved him like a son and then have that person disappear. When Harry told him that Dumbledore had died the year before, Sirius's heart went out to Harry even more. The poor kid needed someone reliable. At least there had still been Remus and Sirius was sure Remus had fulfilled his responsibilities as best as he could. "I can tell you what I know," he answered, believing that Harry deserved every ounce of the truth. "When I fell through the veil it was like falling into nothingness. I had no consciousness of my body or any physical needs. There were only my thoughts and my memories. Everything was dark and you couldn't even sense other people around you."
"Was it worse or better than. . ." Harry trailed off.
"Worse," Sirius answered. "It didn't take long to loose a sense of time and so I was completely alone with myself and my thoughts for what seemed like eternity. At least in Azkaban you were not cut off from all other human essences."
Harry seemed a little confused.
"You're still young, Harry, so you may not have really learned yet that people need other people. It's what helps us identify ourselves. Without others, we can not define ourselves, and without definition you can go mad."
"How did you escape?" Harry asked nervously. Maybe he was wondering if Sirius had gone mad or not – even a little.
Sirius shook his head. "I didn't. Whatever was holding me in that dark stasis let go," he answered. "I found myself in a cave with a lot of other witches and wizards outside of this city. Most of them were dead, but I don't know what they died of. I didn't know how to find wizards here so I conjured some muggle money and went to a pet store to get a tag and a collar. Then I turned myself in to their animal people. I knew they'd call the number, which was the Ministry's, and ask for Harry Potter."
Harry smiled. "Clever."
Sirius shrugged. "I didn't exactly have the resources to enchant a broom."
"If you were isolated for the last two years, how did you know about me and Voldemort?" Harry asked.
Sirius shrugged. "I guess it was a bit of an assumption, but while I was trying to maintain my sanity in that abysmal place, I concluded that the prison of the veil must have been a Salazar Slytherin or Voldemort creation. When it suddenly broke, I reasoned that you must have vanquished the Dark Lord and his power."
"Do you think that will make his curse on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position moot too?" Harry asked hopefully.
Sirius shrugged. "I honestly don't know, Harry. I hope so, though. Remus was pretty good at that job."
Harry grinned and nodded.
They were both quiet for a bit and Sirius felt like something was both ending and beginning in that silent span of time. He realized it was time to start doing what he'd promised James and Lily he would. Harry was strong and capable. He'd managed to make it eighteen years without succumbing to the superficial appeals of Dark Magic. Still, Sirius had realized five years ago at the park in Surrey that Harry's emotional development was almost non-existent. Hopefully Harry wouldn't feel so grown up that he wouldn't let Sirius do something in the way of his godfatherly duties.
Sirius let out a long, cleansing breath and stretched his arms out to the sides. "Let's get going," he decided.
Harry nodded and stood up. He opened his knapsack and pulled out a piece of paper with an address on it. "Now we just need a cab."
"There's a telephone outside. Do you know how to use one?" Sirius asked, forgetting for a moment that Harry'd been raised in a muggle home.
Harry nodded. "Sure."
Before long they were standing in front of a fire at the Division Office and a clerk was doling out floo powder to each of them.
"You go first Harry," Sirius said, nodding to the fire.
Harry looked back at him doubtfully.
Sirius smiled encouragingly. "I'm right behind you. I promise."
Harry nodded and took a deep breath. "The Burrow!" he called as he threw down the powder and walked into the green flames.
Sirius hesitated before following him. He was so nervous about seeing Remus. He was so scared about the idea of having a daughter. Harry was more like a nephew and he was a boy. He felt completely ill-equipped to take on an actual child. He liked the idea of having a child with Remus, though. Of course, the last time he and Remus had expressed those sorts of feelings, James and Lily had stepped out of the room to put the infant Harry to bed. They hadn't even talked about such things when the Order of the Phoenix was being run from Grimmauld Place. What if Remus had changed?
"Sir?" the clerk asked politely.
Sirius shook the thoughts from his mind. "Sorry," he replied. He threw down the floo powder, called out his destination, and stepped into the fire.
Remus was sitting in the armchair reading when Harry came through the fire.
"He's right behind me," Harry said quickly. "He made me tell him everything. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to. . ."
Remus smiled and held up a hand. "It's okay, Harry." That's what he said, but inside he was terrified. What if Sirius had forgotten all about them? Simply sharing custody of Aethra was an option of course, but Remus knew he would never be truly happy with that arrangement. He had a vision of himself and Aethra at Hogwarts while Sirius and Harry lived at Grimmauld Place. He didn't realize how much he'd gotten attached to the whole 'one happy family' idea. The long pause before the flames went green again didn't help to reassure him.
Sirius stepped out of the fireplace and shook the soot off the clothes Harry had taken to America. He looked perfectly fine. Remus had expected him to be emaciated and broken like when he'd escaped Azkaban.
"Remus," Sirius breathed with the air of relief.
Remus smiled and realized that his fears had been completely unnecessary. "Sirius."
Harry looked from one to the other and smiled. "Well I'm going to bed," he decreed quietly as he headed for the stairs.
Sirius nodded. "Good idea," he agreed. "I might go over to Grimmauld Place in a bit, but I promise I'll be back tomorrow."
"Okay," Harry agreed with a contented smile on his face. Remus realized he hadn't seen Harry so relaxed in years.
After Harry had gone upstairs, Remus turned to Sirius and felt his stomach flutter with anxiety. He wanted to kiss the man so badly, but he didn't want to make the first move."Do you want some tea?" he asked instead.
Sirius nodded. "Please."
Remus motioned for Sirius to follow him into the kitchen where Remus started to boil a pot of water. "So Harry told you about Aethra?" he asked.
Sirius laughed nervously. "Under torture, I assure you."
"I understand," Remus replied. "I'm sure you were as surprised as I was."
Sirius nodded emphatically. "Who would have thought that Pearl Midgewater would have had the gumption to pull something like that?"
Remus shrugged. "At least it wasn't a Slytherin raising my daughter for the last five years."
"She's five?" Sirius asked.
"She will be tomorrow," Remus answered. "Molly and the girls are planning a little party." He paused. He wanted to make the assumption that Sirius would be there, but just as Remus had needed to make his own decision about Aethra, so did Sirius.
Sirius was quiet as Remus poured the water into two cups. Once Remus sat down, Sirius looked up at him with a loving look in his eyes. "I missed you. You were one of my compass points when I was trapped in those prisons."
Remus smiled lovingly at him. "Then I've been able to return the favor."
"Before, at Grimmauld Place," Sirius said with regret in his voice. "It. . . it just wasn't practical."
Remus nodded. "I was probably too exhausted anyway," he admitted with a knowing laugh. He didn't look in the mirror too often, but when he caught glimpses of himself, he always thought he looked terrible.
Sirius suddenly laughed and then took a sip of tea. "You don't suppose Pearl knew, do you?"
Remus shook his head. "I doubt it. We managed to hide it from James for three years and he was closer to us than anyone else."
Sirius nodded his agreement and looked down at their joined hands. "Things are going to be complicated for a bit," he said.
"What do you mean?" Remus asked. He could think of lots of ways their situation was complicated, but he wanted to know what was on Sirius's mind.
"Well, Harry needs me," Sirius replied. "And this may be the last summer I can really have an impact on him."
Remus nodded. "I think he'll listen to you, though."
"And you have Aethra which is a full time responsibility," Sirius continued.
Remus was a little disturbed that Sirius labeled Aethra as his responsibility and not their responsibility, but he let Sirius continue.
"And damn it, she's my daughter too. I may not know the first thing about raising a child, let alone a girl, but I was willing to figure out Harry and I want to have the chance to know my own flesh and blood," Sirius explained with frustration. He was under control, but Remus knew from experience that Sirius wanted to punch something.
Remus nodded in understanding. "Why don't we worry about the details tomorrow?" he suggested with a sudden urge to be closer to Sirius. "Right now. . ." he trailed off as he moved closer to the other man.
Sirius looked up at him and a little smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He leaned in towards Remus. "Good idea," he whispered.
Their lips met and Remus felt as if he were sucked into a vacuum of pleasure. It had been so long since they'd kissed and even though Remus had imagined it repeatedly over the years, the real thing was so welcome to his senses that he had to put his arms around Sirius to keep from falling over.
Sirius put his arms around Remus too and for a moment broke the connection. "It's like a thirst finally quenched."
Remus smiled and moved in again.
This time they didn't part for what seemed like an eternity. They had the better part of seventeen years to catch up on! Their tongues danced as they got reacquainted, but Remus found that he knew Sirius's mouth like their last kiss had only been the day before. Remus felt Sirius cup his face in his strong hands before running his fingers up and through Remus's hair.
"We can't get carried away," Sirius finally said, pulling away. "Not here."
Remus nodded. "You're right. I can't leave Aethra, though. It's almost four and she's a bit of an early riser."
Sirius shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm not suggesting you leave her. I'll go to Grimmauld Place and get cleaned up. Maybe I'll even get a few hours of sleep. Tomorrow we'll figure this out, both in the long term and the short."
Remus grinned. "Agreed."
Sirius stood up, bringing Remus to his feet as well, and kissed him lovingly a few more times. "You should get some sleep too," he suggested.
"I will," Remus promised as he walked Sirius over to the fireplace.
Sirius dug his hand into the pot of floo powder on the mantle.
"Oh, wait!" Remus exclaimed. "Aethra made you something and I think you should have it before you actually meet her." He ran up the stairs as quietly as he could and ducked into the room he was sharing with Aethra. She was still sound asleep. He kissed her forehead gently before grabbing the get well card she'd made for Sirius. He tucked the blankets around her one more time and then went back downstairs.
"What's this?" Sirius asked as he took it and looked it over.
"I told her that you had an accident and that I didn't know when she'd get to see you," Remus explained.
Sirius grinned, his fingers tracing the drawing their daughter had made for him.
"So she made you a get well card."
"That is so thoughtful," Sirius noted with a serene smile.
Remus nodded his agreement. "So you'll be back later today?"
Sirius nodded. "Probably before lunch, unless Molly doesn't want me coming around." He was obviously remembering how they'd been at odds a lot when the Order was at Grimmauld Place.
"Once she realizes Harry's back she'll demand your presence for your child's sake," Remus said with a chuckle.
Sirius laughed. "Then it will definitely be before lunch."
They exchanged one last, long kiss, and then Sirius stepped into the fireplace.
Once the flames had dissipated, Remus cleaned up the tea and trudged up to bed. He knew that Sirius wouldn't want to live at Grimmauld Place so his mind went back to the cottage in Hogsmead. He could always floo to the Gryffindor common room if he was needed as the Head of House. He fell asleep wondering how Sirius would feel about that arrangement, how Aethra would respond to her other father, and he couldn't help but worry about the full moon that was only four nights away.