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 3: Therapy
Harry very carefully held Hermione back for a second while Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Ron went ahead at the market. He'd recently learned that because the town of Ottery St. Catchpole had such a large magical population, there were actually two markets, one on top of the other as it were. Of course, muggles couldn't see the magical market, but they were in roughly the same place, run by the same witch with her muggle husband.
The magical market was very similar to the muggle one in what sorts of food it carried, but there were also products for making household potions and some of the magical world's special cuisine like butterbeer, pumpkin juice, and fire whiskey.
Generally, Harry would have opted to stay at The Burrow to wait for Sirius, but after what he'd overheard the night before, he had to talk to one his friends as soon as possible.
"What is it, Harry?" Hermione asked with concern. Her eyes flicked to his scar and Harry had to smile. There was no chance of it ever giving him trouble again, but obviously Hermione had gotten into the habit.
"When Sirius and Remus were talking last night I heard something and I wanted to ask you about it," he answered.
"What did you hear?"
Harry glanced up ahead at the Weasleys and dropped his voice a little more. "I heard them kissing," he whispered.
Hermione blinked a few times in surprise and then a knowing smile fell across her face as if she weren't really surprised at all. "How do you know that's what it was?" she asked.
Harry rolled his eyes. "Trust me."
"Well I suppose it's been awhile since they've been alone together," she mused quietly. "It's only natural."
"Are they going to be in trouble with other wizards?" he asked her, pretending to smell some apples so that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't wonder why they'd fallen behind.
Hermione shook her head. "The Magical world accepts a lot of things that muggles don't. Remember?"
"They don't accept Werewolves," he pointed out.
Hermione shook her head. "Well homosexuality is different. I don't think it's very common, but no one's going to ostracize them," she assured him. "From what I can tell it just isn't something that people make a big deal about. It is what it is."
Harry nodded with relief. "Thanks, I was a little worried. You know how muggles can be about that sort of thing."
"Don't mention it," she replied with a smile. "Harry, did you ask me because of what I know or because my parents are muggles?" she asked with a little concern in her voice. Harry thought it was a strange question coming from Hermione because if there was anyone who was comfortable with being muggle-born, it was Hermione.
"Both," he replied honestly. "I didn't want to ask Ron if that was going to make him and the others hate them, and well you know everything about everything." He grinned, hoping she'd taken the compliment. He was about to ask her if everything was alright with her, but they were being beckoned.
"Come along!" Mrs. Weasley called to them from the vegetable cart. "I just need some flour and sugar for Aethra's cake and then we'll be off."
Harry and Hermione hurried to catch up.
They managed to get back to the burrow before Sirius arrived.
"Harry! Guess What!" Aethra said the moment he stepped out of the fireplace.
Harry laughed a little at her enthusiasm. "What?"
"My other daddy's coming today!" she exclaimed excitedly.
"I heard," he replied with a smile.
Remus was watching from the kitchen, a cup of tea in his hand and a smile on his face. "You're going to wear yourself out, Aethra," he warned her lovingly.
"How much longer?" she asked him, bouncing up and down on her tiptoes.
"Probably an hour or so," he answered.
Molly chuckled as she, Ginny, and Hermione started to put away the groceries. "Oh, its so nice to have a little one about again. I do hope Bill and Fleur won't take too long to make me a grandmother."
Aethra followed them into the kitchen to help if she could. Aethra liked to help do little chores like that, and she seemed to think that degnoming the garden was the magical world's greatest past-time. But then, she wasn't the one who actually had to handle the things. She just found them hiding for the others.
Before Harry could suggest to Ron that they play a game of chess, Arthur apparated into the room with a broad grin.
"Guess who I found applying for a job at the Ministry," he said.
Before anyone could respond, Sirius apparated beside him.
"The Ministry?" Remus asked skeptically.
Sirius shrugged. "Gotta make an honest living somehow."
"Don't worry, Remus," Arthur said as he took his robe off and hung it up. "I told him that I know of someone else who would like to hire him."
Remus shrugged. "I don't care where the old dog works."
Sirius laughed. "He won't tell me who it is, though."
Arthur just smiled with a twinkle in his eye. "There'll be one more for lunch, Molly!" he called over to the kitchen.
Sirius and Remus, meanwhile, were engaged in a sort of non-verbal communication. Finally, Remus nodded, put down his tea cup, and called over his shoulder. "Aethra, come here, sweetheart."
Aethra was at his side in a flash, grinning up at him with adoration.
"Aethra," he said, picking her up. "I'd like you to meet someone." He started across the room towards Sirius, and Sirius moved to meet him in the middle. Harry realized that everyone else had conspicuously quieted and retreated to the far side of the kitchen. He thought that maybe he should join them, but a brief look from Sirius told him to stay put. It was a family moment, but Ron and Hermione were right – he was part of that family.
Aethra suddenly seemed to be very shy, snuggling into Remus.
Sirius smiled warmly at her. "I got your card, Aethra," he said in a soft, gentle tone.
She smiled a little. "Do you feel better?" she asked hopefully.
Sirius nodded. "Much." He held out his arms to her, offering to hold her, and Harry held his breath.
Aethra only hesitated a moment, long enough, Harry noticed, for Remus to bounce her in a reassuring way, before she leaned over and reached for Sirius.
"That's my girl!" Sirius said with a broad smile across his face. He tossed her up into the air a little before holding her the way Remus had.
Aethra giggled while she was in the air and wasted no time in snuggling up to Sirius the way she had with Remus. "We fit too, Daddy," she said, turning to Remus.
"I'm so glad," Remus replied with a smile.
"Fit?" Harry asked curiously.
"Like a puzzle!" Aethra answered.
Harry still wasn't sure he understood, but he knew it made Aethra happy so he smiled back at her.
Sirius looked at him, then Remus, and then back down at Aethra. "So are we going to call ourselves the Black-Lupin family or the Lupin-Black family?" he asked mischievously.
Remus rolled his eyes. "Harry already has a perfectly good last name and Aethra's already used to Lupin," he pointed out.
"Yes, but I'm more. . ." but Sirius didn't finish his sentence. He took one look at Harry and stopped.
Harry laughed. "I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything last night," he said. "But I kinda caught you for a few seconds. But it's okay. I'm glad for you." He thought that sounded really dumb, but he didn't have anything better to say.
Sirius smiled. "Thanks," he replied, reaching over to tousle Harry's hair.
"Lunch is served!" Molly announced, stepping into the room for a moment.
"Yay! I'm hungry!" Aethra announced, wiggling down out of Sirius's arms.
"Aethra, walk," Remus reminded her firmly before she had a chance to run. She'd sprinted down the stairs earlier that morning only to land flat on her face at the bottom.
As everyone gathered around the Weasley's kitchen table Professor McGonagall arrived at the back door. "Good afternoon!" she said pleasantly.
Harry was finding that he like the non-school version of the professor more and more. It was too bad she'd be back to her old self in September, but then he realized he wouldn't be seeing her much if she ever found someone to teach Transfiguration. The old Professor McGonagall didn't seem so bad all of a sudden.
"Good afternoon," everyone replied.
Sirius erupted into laughter. "Hogwarts? Arthur, are you serious?"
Harry realized that the other job offer Arthur had spoken of would be coming from Professor McGonagall.
"And why not, Mr. Black?" she asked sternly. Harry could tell by the expression on her face that she was teasing with her student reference.
Sirius composed himself as he watched Remus help Aethra get settled between them. "I just don't know what you would want me to do," he answered honestly.
"Transfiguration," McGonagall replied. "Once you're a registered animagus, of course."
Remus turned to Sirius smiling. "I think it's a great idea," he said.
"What's an animagus?" Aethra asked curiously.
Remus gently put a finger to her lips, though. "I'll explain it later."
Hermione was smiling from ear to ear. "I think it's a wonderful idea too."
Sirius looked at everyone around the room and then shrugged in defeat. "Well I'm certainly not in a position to argue with anyone, am I?" he replied.
McGonagall smiled with relief. "Thank goodness that's settled."
Lunch was blissfully casual. Aethra interrupted the adult conversation occasionally, but Remus or Sirius always hushed her immediately. Harry was both glad and impressed to see that they seemed so comfortable as parents. When they were through eating, Harry, Ron, and Ginny practiced cleaning up with magic. Hermione could have done it in her sleep so she gave suggestions on which charms to use.
When they went to join the adults in the sitting room, Harry realized that everyone's attention was on Aethra and Remus who were having a battle of wills regarding a nap.
"I'm not tired," Aethra complained with a frown.
Remus nodded. "Then you can just lay down and rest for a bit," he agreed.
"I'll rest down here," she suggested, though it came out sounding like a declaration.
Harry thought Sirius could probably end the whole thing with a stern look since he generally looked more formidable than Remus, but he didn't make any move to interfere.
"No," Remus insisted. "I said it was time for a nap. That means in your bed."
Aethra looked at him steadily, an impressive pout developing, but she didn't say anything for several long moments. "Fine," she finally decided angrily with an emphatic stomp and then took off up the stairs in a huff.
Once they heard the bedroom door shut, Remus looked over at Arthur and Molly. "Do I let her go off like that or follow her?"
They just smirked and shook their heads.
Sirius laughed. "I'll find you a book, Remus."
"Oh, and I suppose you know the answer?" Remus challenged him.
"The answer is whatever you want it to be," Sirius replied. "If you find that behavior acceptable, you let it go. If you don't, you follow and correct."
Remus sighed and stood up. "You could help, you know."
Sirius shook his head. "If I rescue you, she won't mind you when I'm not around."
Now Harry understood. He also resented the way his life had worked out more and more. He should have been raised with Sirius. He would have been a great substitute dad.
Remus wasn't gone more than a couple of seconds and when he came back he was laughing. "She was already passed out on top of the covers," he reported. "So much for not being tired."
Arthur and Professor McGonagall soon returned to their respective jobs, Sirius and Remus excused themselves to take a walk, Molly went about her usual housekeeping schedule, Hermione and Ginny buried themselves in books, and Ron absorbed himself with the quidditch section of The Daily Prophet. It was clear to Harry that he'd have to fly solo for the afternoon. So, he headed up to the room he shared with Ron with the intent to just stretch out and relax.
Sirius and Remus were holding hands as they walked around the outskirts of the Weasley's property. For a long time, they didn't say anything. It was nice to just be in the same space. After one lap, though, Sirius's thoughts started to pop out of his mouth.
"James is probably having a good laugh right now," he said, shaking his head.
Remus looked over at him with a smile. "Why?"
"Me as a Hogwarts professor. Who would have ever thought?"
Remus laughed. "Yes, I suppose it is rather far fetched." He sobered and stopped walking, forcing Sirius to stop as well. "Really, Sirius, if you don't want to teach, you don't have to."
Sirius shook his head. "I was just musing out loud. I'm finding that I really do like being around kids. They give me an excuse to be a little crazy."
"As long as its something you want," Remus agreed as he started walking again.
"Have you looked at places to live?" Sirius asked. "I'm sure Molly doesn't mind you staying here, but you can't share a room with Aethra forever."
Remus laughed. "Obviously not. I've made arrangements with Minerva to stay in the castle," he explained. "But if. . ."
"If what?" Sirius asked.
Remus sighed with mild frustration. "Sirius, what is it that we're doing? Are we playing around? Are we agreeing to share Aethra, play around on the side, but keep separate quarters? You were right last night. It is complicated, but if I don't know what's going on soon, I think I'm going to go mad!"
Sirius laughed before leaning in to kiss Remus softly. "Relax. I thought about that last night," he replied. "I thought my question about the family name had made my feelings clear."
Remus was silent for a moment. "I guess I hadn't heard it that way."
"I see no reason why we don't call a duck and duck and admit that we're a proper little family," Sirius said. "Two parents and two kids."
"I don't know how Harry will like being referred to as a kid. He's legally of age, you know," Remus pointed out.
Sirius nodded. "I know. He's pining for Ginny, though. I'm obliged by my promise to James to help the . . . young man out."
Remus laughed. "Good luck. Harry's just as stubborn as James."
Sirius grinned mischievously. "Then it's a good thing I knew how to handle James, isn't it?"
"At least I will have plenty of entertainment," Remus replied, shaking his head.
They walked along in silence for another spell before Sirius spoke again. "So is there space in your arrangements for me?" he asked hopefully.
Remus smiled. "Of course. But now I'm wondering. . ."
"Wondering what?"
"Well the apartment in the castle is only a sitting room, three bedrooms, and a lavatory. There wouldn't be any way for us to prepare a meal as a family. But then," he said as he sat down on the stone wall that marked the edge of the Weasley property, "is that sort of thing really necessary?"
Sirius sat down next to him. "Where is Aethra going to eat anyway?"
Remus shrugged. "I honestly hadn't thought of that. I suppose we could make a part of the sitting room an eating area and simply let the elves do the cooking."
Sirius frowned. "It's going to be an odd way for Aethra to grow up."
"Yes," Remus replied quietly, trying to think of a solution. "I did look at a two story cottage in Hogsmead the other day."
"Live outside the castle?" Sirius asked.
"Hagrid does," Remus pointed out.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "He's still on the grounds."
"If I was needed at the tower, I could always floo over."
Sirius nodded slightly. "We still come back to the subject of dinner. Teachers, especially the heads usually eat in the dining hall."
"Trelawney doesn't," Remus replied.
Sirius laughed. "She's not flying with a fully twigged broom," he replied.
Remus smirked. It wasn't polite to laugh, but it was funny.
"And she isn't the head of any house," Sirius continued.
Remus sighed and shook his head. "Well it's an odd situation. We're going to have to be a little flexible," he decided. "What if I eat with the students three nights a week and eat with you and Aethra four nights a week?" he suggested.
"Now that's an idea," Sirius agreed. "Of course, there's always the sticky subject of detentions."
Remus shook his head. "I already worked that out," he explained. "I plan on assigning detentions all on the same day. There might be a whole bunch of kids in one session, but I wouldn't be much of a parent if I left her with some sort of nanny every evening."
"So you could have detentions on Monday, and I could do it on Tuesday," Sirius mused.
Remus nodded. "If push comes to shove, we can always assign the detentions to other faculty members."
"Not Filch." Sirius replied firmly.
Remus shook his head. "No. Of course not."
Sirius grinned at Remus as he hopped up off the wall. "What are we waiting for? Let's go buy the place!"
Remus laughed. "Now?"
"Sure!" Sirius replied. "We'll be back before tea."
Remus couldn't help but smile broadly. He thought they were being a bit impulsive, but he let himself be caught up in Sirius's excitement. "Alright."
"I'll race you back," Sirius offered.
"How old are we?" Remus asked, still laughing.
Sirius shrugged. "I don't know about you, but right now, I'm feeling about eighteen. Being with you, having this family with you . . . I feel like life is starting over!"
Remus smiled lovingly up at him. He stood up and stepped into Sirius's body, planting his lips on the other man's. He could feel Sirius redirect his energy into kissing Remus.
Slowly, they parted. They were both smiling broadly, undeniably ecstatic.
"Alright," Remus agreed. "Let's go."
The former owner of the cottage waved his wand around and muttered a reversal spell. "Alright, gentlemen, all of my protective charms have been removed," he said with a smile. "It was a pleasure doing business with you."
Sirius shook his hand firmly. "Thanks for making the deal so quickly. We're kind of anxious to get settled in."
The other wizard nodded knowingly. "Of course. If you have any problems, just send me an owl! Cheerio!"
Remus saw him out and then turned to Sirius who was standing in the foyer. "You know, Sirius," he said as they leisurely walked arm in arm through the empty house. "I was thinking that we should hold off on actually moving in for a few days."
Sirius nodded. "I was thinking about that too. Do you have any idea of where you'll go?"
Remus laughed derisively. "The Shrieking Shack is still available," he pointed out.
Sirius wasn't amused. "I want to come with you."
Remus shook his head, though. "No. I want you to stay with Aethra. The only parental figure she ever knew died a week ago and she hasn't been separated from me at night since then. If you're with her, I think it will be easier for her."
Sirius sighed. He understood Remus's point, but he felt a very strong need to be with Remus that month. He couldn't explain why. "She'll have Molly, Arthur, Harry, and the other kids," he replied.
"Sirius, please don't fight me on this," Remus pleaded.
"You're taking the potion, right?" Sirius asked dubiously.
Remus nodded. "And Molly just bought the ingredients to start a new batch for future months."
Sirius sighed. "We'll see," he finally said.
"Sirius . . ." Remus started, but Sirius cut him off.
"I said we'll see!" Sirius realized immediately how harsh he had sounded, but he couldn't help it. His need to be with Remus when Remus needed a friend the most was like a compulsion.
Remus just stared at him for a long moment and then he nodded. "Alright," he agreed. "We'll see how Aethra is doing the day before."
"Agreed."
Remus put Sirius's arms around his body and looked up at him with big, loving eyes. "I love you Padfoot. Even if you are a stubborn old dog."
Sirius smiled at him and squeezed him tight. "I love you too, Mooney."
They slowly began kissing and Sirius realized that he wouldn't be able to control himself any longer. His hands began running up and down Remus's back, pulling him as close as possible.
Remus returned the affection by squeezing Sirius's arms fiercely.
Sirius's heartbeat quickened and he became frantic to feel Remus against his skin. He pushed Remus's robes off his shoulders and let Remus do the same to his. All the time, they remained connected, savoring each other through their kiss. They parted breathless for a moment so that Sirius could pull his shirt up over his head. Remus took the moment to rip his shirt open. Buttons went everywhere.
As soon as they were both bare-chested, they moved hastily to the floor. Remus lay flat on his back, and Sirius propped himself up on one arm, hovering over his devastatingly handsome lover as they kissed. Sirius lingered on Remus's mouth for a long while before slowly moving along his jaw to his ear and neck.
"Oh. . ." Remus breathed. "It's been so long."
"Too long," Sirius replied with Remus's earlobe in his mouth.
Remus started to unbutton Sirius's pants. "You know, Aethra was never conceived," he said breathlessly.
The thought alone drove Sirius to greater arousal. He pulled back, kneeling next to Remus. "Every child should be conceived in love," he agreed.
Their hunger for each other grew exponentially. Neither of them could get their shoes and pants off fast enough. Once they were finally naked, kneeling in front of one another, they stared into each other's eyes for a long eternal moment. Sirius had no idea how long they stayed like that. It felt both very long and momentary at the same time.
Remus smirked lovingly at him, conjured a handful of fire, and threw it into the nearby fireplace.
Sirius smiled and moved in on Remus with passion. In a one fluid movement, Remus was on his back again, but this time Sirius had his legs up over his head. "I'm going to make love to you," he said softly as they rubbed against each other.
Remus nodded. "I'm ready and I want you so badly."
Sirius knew that since it had been years, he would have to be gentle, so he took his time to make sure Remus was ready physically and not just emotionally. It was fun to tease him a little, and he ended up making them both explode once before Sirius was ready to move in.
"Come on, Sirius," Remus said as he lay writhing before the fire. "Don't toy anymore."
Sirius shook his head. "No. No more toying. You're ready now." As gently as he possibly could he pushed himself into Remus and they both let out a pleasurable moan.
"I swear, if you ever leave me again. . ." Remus said. There were tears at the corners of his eyes and Sirius knew that it was both pain and relief that caused them.
"Never again," Sirius promised as he leaned down on top of Remus and began moving in and out. His abs rubbed against Remus as he held his body in a pushup over Remus.
Remus squeezed his arms again as he moaned. "Your strength."
Sirius tried to smile back, though he knew that the pleasure he was feeling made his face look more pained than pleasured. "You inspire me," he answered.
They didn't exchange another word as their love making intensified, gaining speed. Before too long, he saw the look on Remus's face that told him a momentary shift to paradise was coming. "Cum with me, Remus," he begged. "Let our souls be one."
Then it happened. Sirius didn't know if it was the same with everyone or if it would be the same for him with every partner or if he was just weird, but every time he and Remus had ever truly made love, it felt to him like he was drowning in a whirlpool of liquid ecstasy. It was as if he might drown, but he didn't care, and he was sure that his soul was entwined with Remus's for awhile. It almost felt like he was inside Remus, and Remus was in him. What surprised him, though, was that in those moments of bliss, he saw their daughter and he knew Pearl had given them the greatest gift they would ever receive.
Remus lay with his head on Sirius's chest in front of the fire in their new home thinking about absolutely nothing. It was so nice to be able to do that for once. He was still catching his breath even though they'd been cuddling for close to twenty minutes. The first thing that brought him out of his stupor was the chill he felt as his sweat dried on his bare skin. "Do you want to give the place a name or just call it by its address?" he asked with a little bit of slurring. He had to laugh at himself for that. It was as if he was drunk on happiness.
Sirius stroked his back slowly. "If you can think of a good name, I'm all up for that," he replied.
"The Doghouse," Remus said with a laugh.
Sirius laughed too and helped Remus to sit up.
"I guess we can think of a name later," Remus said with a happy sigh. "We should probably be getting back. Molly's going to start worrying."
"Yeah," Sirius agreed. "I'll probably come back here to sleep tonight."
Remus had figured as much. "You'll need a bed," he pointed out.
"I'll get one from Grimmauld Place," Sirius replied.
As they were getting up and putting their clothes back on, there was a tapping at the window. Remus looked to see an owl on the window sill.
"It's Pig," Sirius said, walking over and opening the window. He took the letter that she was carrying and opened it.
Remus walked over and read over his shoulder.
Sirius and Remus,
Harry's been taken to St. Mungo's. He wouldn't wake up for tea. We tried the floo, but that house isn't on the network now. Come as soon as you can.
Sincerely,
Hermione
"What could have happened to him?" Remus wondered as he pulled his robe on.
Sirius shook his head. "I don't know. You ready?"
Remus nodded. "You go on to the hospital. I'll apparate to The Burrow, check on Aethra, and get a new shirt. I'll meet you there shortly."
Sirius nodded, but he looked grave. "Love you," he said as he approached. He kissed Remus on the cheek and then disappeared with a soft pop.
Remus turned back to Pig. "Thanks," he said. "We don't have any food here," he explained. "You can go to the Hogwarts owlery or meet me back at the Burrow."
Pig bobbed his head up and down, turned around, and flew back out of the window.
Remus closed the window, cast a few protection and privacy charms around the house, and then disapparated to The Burrow.
"Oh, Sirius, thank goodness you're here. He's just beginning to come around," Molly said as Sirius walked into the hospital ward where Harry had been taken.
"What happened?" he asked as he looked Harry over. He wasn't visibly hurt, but his hair was matted as if he'd been sweating a lot.
Molly sat back down and held Harry's hand lovingly. "We tried to wake him up for tea, but he was burning up with a fever and he wouldn't wake up for anything! He seemed fine when he went up there after lunch." She was shaking her head, fretting, and Sirius put a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sure he'll be alright," he said. "Thank you for looking after him. It took longer than I expected at the cottage."
Molly shook her head. "Oh you know I'd do anything for this boy. He's like. . ." and she trailed off. Molly had spent three years at odds with one of her sons and just when Percy had come around, she'd lost Fred. Sirius knew that she saw Harry as a seventh son so the possibility, even if it was remote, of losing him was probably pushing her to her emotional limit.
Harry whimpered a little in his sleep, before curling into a ball.
"They had a healer in here to try some legilimency on him," Molly explained.
Sirius frowned. He didn't like the idea of Harry's mind being invaded without Harry's permission, especially given all the horrors he'd lived through. "What were they looking for?"
Molly shrugged. "They said that when someone won't wake up, it's sometimes because their mind is absorbed with something else."
"Ah," Sirius replied as he sat down at Harry's feet.
"Knock, knock!" came a low voice from the door.
Sirius turned and stood up as a healer walked in. He didn't look very cheerful and that worried Sirius. "I'm Eric Baldur," he said extending a hand to Sirius. "Call me Eric."
"Sirius Black. I'm Harry's godfather," he replied shaking the healer's hand.
Eric Baldur nodded. "A pleasure. I have examined the information that was procured from Harry earlier and I can state without a doubt that Harry is suffering from a rather severe bout of emotional trauma. Has anything monumental happened to him recently?"
Molly and Sirius were about to answer when he held up his hand.
"Other than defeating the Dark Lord," he added with an appreciative smile. "That alone could traumatize the greatest of wizards, but has anything else happened?"
Molly and Sirius looked at each other.
"It's been a busy week or so," Molly answered. "We've had a new arrival at the house."
"And he and I were only reunited yesterday, but I thought that would be something for him to be happy about, not traumatized," Sirius explained.
Eric frowned. "For a young man whose experienced what Harry has, that doesn't sound like enough to cause this sort of reaction. Well, I will be able to figure it out once I've talked to him. For the moment, we're going to remove the most disturbing thoughts from his mind so that he can wake up. The nurse said that his fever has dropped. That's always a good sign."
All Sirius could do was nod. He tried to think if James would do anything else, but Sirius was pretty sure that he'd nod too.
As Eric pulled out his wand, the nurse walked in with a pensieve. Sirius watched as Eric touched the tip of his wand to Harry's mind and extracted a long silver strand. "I thought that you could only do that to yourself," Sirius said quietly.
"Healers can too," Eric answered as he pulled out several more.
Soon there was a shimmering sea of silver in the pensieve and Harry's eyes fluttered open.
"Oh, Harry," Molly said in a motherly tone. "Are you alright?"
"Where am I?" Harry asked, clearly confused and disoriented.
"You're at St. Mungo's, young man," Eric said. "I'm Healer Eric Baldur. You can call me Eric."
Harry just nodded. "What happened?"
"Worked yourself up into quite a state," Eric replied. "Scared this nice lady half to death I think."
Harry looked at Molly and blushed. "Sorry." Then he looked up at Sirius. "Sorry," he said again. "I. . ."
Molly and Sirius both shook their heads.
"Harry, do you know what this is?" Eric asked, gesturing to the pensieve.
"Sure," Harry replied.
Eric nodded. "I've taken a few of your memories out because they were giving you quite a bit of difficulty. Do you remember what you were dreaming about?"
Harry winced and closed his eyes tightly. "Sort of," he replied. "It's fuzzier now."
"Good," Eric said. "It should be. Can you remember what made you start thinking about those things?"
Harry looked up at Sirius and then over at Molly. It seemed that he was embarrassed.
Sirius shook his head. "It's okay, Harry," he said gently.
Harry sighed and looked over at Eric. "I guess I was jealous."
"Jealous?" Eric repeated. "Of what?"
"Aethra. Ron and Ginny. Hermione." Harry mumbled each of the names with guilt, and Sirius felt such pity for the kid that he wanted to pull him into a hug and never let go, but it wasn't possible at that moment.
Eric nodded. "And why were you jealous of them?"
Harry sighed, laying his head back on the pillow. "It didn't start like that," he said. "At first, I was just trying to imagine what it would have been like to have parents like they did, but then I started to get upset because it was just a wondering and there was no way to ever know."
"Can I assume that these individuals are other young people or children?" Eric asked Molly and Sirius. They both nodded.
"Harry," Sirius said. "You're loved just as much as they are."
Molly nodded emphatically. "You're like my seventh son, Harry! Please understand that."
Harry sighed. "It's not the same," he muttered. "I know it's stupid, but I'm telling you, it's different. And now. . ." He trailed off, clearly feeling vulnerable and miserable.
"Now what, Harry?" Sirius asked. He didn't want Harry to have to bare his soul to the world, but if his troubles were making him physically ill, they had to deal with them.
"You're back and Voldemort's dead and everything, but now it's too late. I'm too old."
Eric nodded. "Harry, why don't you have something to eat, chocolate perhaps, while I talk to Mrs. Weasley and Mr. Black?"
Sirius stood up and started for the door. Molly reluctantly followed. Once they were in the hallway, Eric's demeanor got even more serious. "I don't know how much that young man has told you about his muggle life, but it wasn't a good one, even by their standards."
Molly sighed. "We knew he was mistreated, but he wouldn't give us any details and Dumbledore said that he had to spend time there over summer holidays. He insisted it was for his own safety."
Eric nodded. "I won't judge Albus Dumbledore's decisions. He knew far more than I do about the situation and I will presume that he chose the lesser of two evils. At any rate, you should know that Harry suffered through ten long years of physical and emotional abuse. The fact that he's turned out so good is a wonder."
Sirius's heart broke. If Lily knew what her sister had put Harry through. . . "So what can we do for him?" he asked.
"Have you ever heard of the Regresso Transfiguration?" Eric asked.
They both shook their heads.
"It's a type of transfiguration that will physically and emotionally alter the subject so that they literally regress into an earlier age," he explained. "All of their mental abilities like reading, writing, and memory will be functioning, but they will have the appearance and emotional maturity of a younger person."
"Is it permanent?" Sirius asked.
Eric shook his head. "Not usually. There is a potion that can be taken before the transfiguration to make it permanent, but I have never actually heard of anyone taking the therapy that far."
"This is a therapy?" Molly asked skeptically.
Eric nodded. "The idea is that Harry will replace bad childhood memories by creating good ones."
Sirius nodded. In general, it didn't sound like a bad idea. "How long will it last?"
"The longest it will last is two weeks," Eric explained. "If the subject's subconscious decides that it is tired of the transfiguration, however, it can end sooner."
Molly smiled. "So he'll be alright in a few weeks at most?" she asked hopefully.
Sirius shook his head. "No, Molly, I think that this will be an ongoing therapeutic activity for Harry."
"Exactly," Eric agreed. "The magic required to perform the transfiguration on oneself is attainable for Harry if he's passed his O.W.L.'s. Using the transfiguration will be like taking medicine. He can use it when he needs it, but he will continue to live out his normal activities."
Sirius thought of a complication. "I'm not so sure that he's going to volunteer to 'burden' us," he said. "Of course, I don't think any of us would consider it a burden, but Harry can be a little self-sacrificing at times."
Eric laughed. "Clearly. In that case, I can teach you the transfiguration so that you can impose it on him if necessary. Of course, I don't recommend abusing the power, because it may not foster trust between the two of you."
"Obviously," Sirius agreed.
"Now, who will be looking after him?" Eric asked the two of them.
"I will," Sirius answered before Molly could open her mouth. He turned to her and smiled appreciatively. "You've raised seven, Molly. Actually, seven and a half counting Harry considering how much time he's spent with you. Lily, James, Remus, and I are all inexplicably grateful, but Harry is my responsibility. I've waited a very long time to have this opportunity."
Molly smiled with understanding at him and nodded. "Agreed, but you will call if you two need some time alone. We'll be happy to look after Harry just as readily as we'll look after Aethra." Even though he and Remus hadn't made any official announcements about the nature of their relationship, Molly seemed to have picked up on it quite quickly. No double Arthur would have too.
Sirius smiled and hugged her, relieved that their differences from Gimmauld Place seemed to have disappeared. "Agreed."
"Now with that settled, I should warn you, Mr. Black, that it is entirely possible that Harry will push limits and break rules. Based on what I observed of his childhood, he will be searching out stability and security within a loving environment. It is essential that you not command him back to normal in those instances. You must deal with them as you would if Harry were really that age."
"He can be commanded back to normalcy?" Sirius asked.
"Oh yes!" Eric exclaimed. "I forgot to mention that, didn't I? Well, there is a safe word that you and Harry will agree upon. In the event of an emergency where it is absolutely necessary for him to be an adult, you will command him with that word to return to normal."
"I understand," Sirius replied.
Eric smiled. "Now then, let's go in and see if we can't get young Mr. Potter to learn a little new magic."
Remus and Aethra were reading a story in the sitting room the following morning when Sirius and Harry apparated back to The Burrow. Remus had gone to the hospital the previous night, and Sirius had filled him in on the healer's plan.
"Harry!" Aethra squealed as she slid off of Remus's lap. "You were really sick! I saw you. You looked like a ghost!"
Harry smiled weakly. "Sorry if I scared you," he replied.
Aethra shook her head. "It's okay. I'm glad you came to my party."
Sirius chuckled. "Why don't we let Harry sit down?" he suggested.
"Still tired?" Remus asked him as he put the book down.
Harry nodded. "I was okay until we apparated." He looked up at Sirius sheepishly. "Guess I should have listened to you, huh?"
Sirius didn't say anything. He just smiled knowingly. He turned to Remus and Aethra. "Harry has agreed to come live at our house for the rest of the summer."
Aethra grinned and clapped her hands. "Yay!"
Harry smiled at her. "You don't mind?"
"I like having a big brother," Aethra said as she shook her head.
Sirius smiled. "Why don't you take your big brother upstairs and tuck him in for a nap?" he suggested.
"What?" Harry asked in surprised. "I'm still big."
Sirius nodded. "But you just exhausted yourself with the apparition. Unless you want to sleep through the party, I suggest a little nap."
Harry frowned, but he didn't argue.
Remus watched, grinning, as Aethra led him up the stairs. "Has he managed the transfiguration yet?" he asked once they were out of sight.
"Yes," Sirius replied. "The healer also showed him how to specify the age he goes back to, and we tested the safeword."
"I see. Any idea when he'll use it?" Remus asked.
Sirius shook his head. "I would expect it won't be until the party's over."
Remus nodded. "Alright. Well I've already sent Kressy and Kreacher to Grimmauld Place and Pearl's house to start moving usable pieces of furniture to the new house. You can veto anything you don't want later and we'll replace it. There won't be much from Pearl's, though. Everything was pretty much destroyed. Molly's donated some of Ginny's old clothes, though, and Ginny's given Aethra a few toys, so her room won't be completely bare when she arrives. "
"Good," Sirius replied. "The sooner we get those two home and settled, the better."
Aethra was watching him as he sat down on his bed. He felt a little weird with an audience, but he also felt proud that Aethra thought of him as her brother. He was certainly starting to see her as a sister.
"Thanks for walking me up, Aethra," he said.
She grinned at him for a moment, but then her face looked sad and a little frightened. "You're not going to die, are you?"
Harry laughed. "No," he answered. "I'm okay. Just super tired."
Aethra looked visibly relieved. "Want me to read you a story?"
Harry smiled. "I didn't know you can read."
"Sure I can!" she replied with an excited smile.
"Okay," he agreed. "I'll get under the covers. You go get a book."
Aethra nodded and hurried out of the room. Harry took his shoes and jeans off before climbing into the bed. He might have resented Sirius's suggestion that he needed a nap, but when he was honest with himself, he didn't mind one. "I got one!" she announced as she ran back in.
"What's it about?" he asked as she walked over to him.
"A princess and a frog," she answered as she sat down next to him.
Harry soon found out that Aethra's idea of reading consisted of explaining the pictures. He didn't really mind, though, because she was cute and her antics took his mind off of the new therapy he had learned at St. Mungo's. He'd agreed to try it for the sakes of Sirius and Molly, but he wasn't too eager to humiliate himself like that.
"Hey, Aethra?" he asked when she finally finished.
"Huh?"
"Um. . .can I ask you a question?"
Aethra nodded.
"When you lived with your Aunt Pearl, did you ever get into trouble?" he asked.
Aethra frowned, but she nodded again.
Harry licked his lips, trying not to feel dumb for asking a five-year-old his question. Still, before he could go through with his therapy, he needed to know some things about magical families. "How did you get punished when you got in trouble?"
Aethra frowned. "Aunt Pearl gave me spankings," she answered.
Harry nodded. He had expected that might be possible, but since none of the teachers at Hogwarts spanked students, he couldn't be certain. "Thanks," he said. "I was just curious."
Aethra nodded and swung her legs off the edge of the bed a few times. "Want me to lay with you while you go to sleep?" she offered.
Harry smiled. He almost laughed. She was trying so hard. "Sure," he agreed. He lifted the blankets up and let her crawl in next to him. Just as he expected, she was asleep before he was. He laid there for quite awhile trying to make up his mind about the transfiguration. He couldn't deny that it sounded wonderful to get a second chance at being part of a happy family where there was someone to hug you whenever you wanted or take you out for treats on occasion. He also couldn't deny that he was scared to death of making Sirius or Remus mad. At least he still had time to think about it. Sirius promised not to make him do it until after Aethra's party. If he was lucky, he could get an extension until after the full moon. After all, he was pretty sure that Remus and Sirius were going to need Harry's help for that one.