A/N: I don't own Harry Potter. I do own the characters I made up though. Anyway, on to the story and review please!
Chapter 6: Alphard, 1976
I smiled wide then laughed out loud. Sirius had run away from home. Cheeky little prat. I couldn't have been more proud, and more amused. First me, then Andromeda, now Sirius. The Black family was sure branching out. I stretched and put the letter on the coffee table.
I stood and went to the kitchen to find something to eat. Lately I hadn't been very hungry, but Sirius' cheek brought a growl to my stomach. I chuckled again as I made myself a sandwich. Life was good again.
"I'll have to go visit him at the Potter's." I told myself. I chuckled again. I'd been alone for so long that I was talking to myself. Merlin, I really needed to go visit Sirius.
"I'll go after I eat." I said smacking the top of my finished BLT. I looked down as if I hadn't realized it was there. Smiling again, I picked it up and took a big bite. It was so delicious, I'd almost forgotten.
A half an hour later, I stood on the Potter's front step. I knew Tallulah didn't like me, so hopefully I met someone else at the door. I rang the bell. There were thunderous footsteps and the door opened. I smiled.
"Uncle Alphard!" Sirius cheered. He hugged me tightly.
"Whoa, careful now, don't break me!" I chortled.
"Sorry, I didn't know you were coming over." He said.
"Neither did I, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. Your parents must have said something awful to get you to leave." I said following Sirius into the giant house. Sirius shrugged.
"Not really anything new, I just got sick of Mother pestering me and Father sitting there like nothing was happening." He explained.
"James look who's here!" Sirius shouted up the stairs. James poked his head over the banister.
"Who?" he asked.
"My Uncle Alphard! You know the one who's normal!"
"Cool, I'll be right down!" James disappeared, then came thundering down the spiral staircase.
"Hi, 'm James Potter." He said holding out his hand.
"A pleasure, Alphard Black. The "normal one" apparently." I chuckled shaking his hand.
"Mum and Dad are out right now, but you should stay for dinner. We don't get many guests anymore. Is Remus home?" James asked. Remus lived in the house next door, or Sirius had told me.
"I don't know, I didn't check." Sirius said. James rolled his eyes.
"Honestly, what are you good for?" he asked.
"Eating?" Sirius suggested. I laughed.
"That's my boy." I said rubbing his head.
"Let's go get Remus and his dad, and then we can have a real party!" James said hurrying to the door. I chuckled and shaking my head, followed the two energetic teens. I hadn't had that kind of energy in a long time.
It turned out that Remus and his father lived in a quaint little cottage just off the Potter's land. Sirius knocked enthusiastically and by the time I caught up, Remus's father had opened the door.
"Well, hello Sirius, I didn't know you were coming over this summer." He said.
"He's staying with me, Mr. Lupin. He kind of ran away from home." James explained.
"You didn't," Remus appeared next to his father.
"Yes, I did." Sirius said proudly. Remus laughed.
"I can't believe you." Remus said. He spotted me. "Who's that?"
Sirius looked around. He pulled me forward.
"This is my Uncle Alphard." He introduced. "He's the only other Black who's cool enough to be called family." Sirius said.
"What about Annie?" I asked.
"She doesn't count, she's a Tonks." Sirius dismissed. I laughed.
"Well, it's nice to meet you Alphard. I'm John Lupin." Remus's father said shaking my hand. "And this is my son, Remus." I shook his hand too.
"Sirius tells me you have a wicked fist." I said with a wink.
"He would know from experience." Remus smirked. Sirius blushed.
"We're having a big dinner; do you guys want to join?" James asked.
"Please Dad?" Remus asked immediately. John seemed to ponder. "I don't know, it would mean leaving your room for at least an hour…"
Remus smacked his father's shoulder. "I think I'll live." He said. The other two cheered and the three boys tore off back to Potter Mansion. John and I laughed.
"What I would give to have that kind of energy again." John chuckled.
"Here, here," I agreed. "This may seem blunt, John, but is Remus a werewolf? It's just, Sirius mentioned that was one of the reasons he fought with his parents."
"How did you guess it was Remus?" John asked.
"Well, Sirius said it was one of his friends…not his best friend." I explained. John nodded. "I think it's very brave of your son and his friends. They are an exceptional group of boys."
"Yes, they are." John said quietly.
"So, where's your wife? Or do you not have one because of the war?" I asked.
"No, she divorced me after Remus was bitten. She was a Muggle and she couldn't handle all the stress of Remus having lycanthrope and the death of…well, let's just say it was more than she bargained for." John said quickly.
"Who died?" I asked. John sighed.
"My daughter, Remus is my second. His sister died trying to protect him. It would kill her to know that he was still hurt. She was very protective of him."
"John, could I asked a favor?" I asked. He stopped.
"Sure, what do you need?"
"I don't want to tell Sirius quite yet, but, I'm dying." I said. John's eyebrows rose to his hairline. "I have a disease of the immune system, it's rare, but wizards get it often enough. I have only a couple more months to live. I have a house not far from here. Muddy Meadows, maybe you've heard of it?"
"Yes, it's a little cottage up in the suburbs. I had no idea it was yours." John said surprised.
"Yes, I left it to Sirius in my will, along with most of my gold. If you could just show him where it is once I've died I'd be most appreciative."
"Yes, of course." John said.
"One more thing, I'm giving the other half of my gold to Andromeda. Her address is number 2 Pinewood Dr, London. Could you take her the key when I've passed?"
"Yes, is that all?" john asked.
"My will is in the second drawer of my desk in the study. Here's the key." I handed him the key. He stared dumbfounded.
"Why are you entrusting this all to me?" John asked.
"I know you, I was one of the law enforcement officers that found what was left of your daughter. I asked you, because every now and then you need to voice it. Plus, Sirius said he trusts you." I explained.
"That would explain why you were so familiar." John said a little choked up. "Well, I'll do everything I can for Sirius and Andromeda, you can count on me."
"Thanks," I said.
It was late December. I was curled in front of my fire gazing at a picture, a picture of a girl I hadn't seen in over twenty-five years. I missed her with all my heart. She was probably part of the reason the disease was killing me faster than it should have been. I was eager to see her again.
The wind howled outside and whipped the snow against the windows. I snuggled further into my fleece blankets. I coughed. My chest heaved and I leaned back against the couch. Sometimes I thought I was going to cough up a lung. I had pneumonia on top of everything else. He shivered violently and another coughing fit ensued.
I could barely remember what it was like not to be sick all the time. I picked up a glass of water from the end table beside me and tried to take a sip without spilling it all over me. I didn't succeed because the doorbell rang. Cursing under my breath, I set the glass down and stood slowly to go answer the door.
"Uncle Alphard?" I heard a girl shout.
"I'm coming, hold on." I shouted back hoarsely. I got to the door and unlocked it. It was Andromeda.
"Hey Annie, come on in." I said. Andromeda obeyed, coming in out of the blizzard. I went back to my seat.
"I know your dying and so does Sirius." She said without preamble. I nodded.
"It's hard to hide." I admitted. "Is that why you came?"
"I was afraid that you weren't getting proper care living here all alone. Why don't you come live with Ted and me? We can move Nymphadora into our room temporarily."
"Annie, I don't want to put anything more on your shoulders. Nothing can help me. I'm a sick old man." I said firmly.
"You're not old, Uncle Alphard, just sick." Andromeda said. I shook my head.
"I am old enough. Dear Andromeda, go home to your family. Take care of your daughter, not me." I begged. Andromeda frowned.
"No, I can't just let you die without a fight." She said. I smiled sadly.
"Annie, sweetheart, this disease has no cure. All the Healers have said so. They told me I spent too much time in the Congo, but I didn't listen. Now I'm paying for it. Please, don't worry about me. I've lived a lot longer than I should have." A coughing fit over took me. I grabbed a napkin and covered my face. If she saw, she would definitely tell me to go to St. Mungo's.
"Uncle Alphard! You're coughing up blood! That's serious; you need to see a Healer!" Andromeda urged. I shook my head.
"It just means I'm nearly dead, now go home. You don't need to see me die." I said quietly. Andromeda's eyes filled with tears.
"Don't say that! You can't die! I still need you!" she cried. I cupped her cheek.
"You have Ted and that beautiful daughter, you don't need me anymore. All you need is them and Sirius." I said. The room felt colder. I wrapped the blanket closer to me.
"But…"
"No buts Annie, my time is done. I love you and I love Sirius, but I can't hold on anymore." I whispered.
"I'm staying here. I want to make you comfortable." Andromeda insisted. I nodded, too weak to argue. The door bell rang again. Andromeda went t get it.
"Uncle Alphard," Sirius knelt down beside me.
"Shouldn't you be in school?" I asked.
"I ditched, what else is new?" he chuckled weakly. "You're going to be okay, right?" he asked.
Poor Sirius, he was still so young, young enough to believe that just asking one to get better meant they would be. I shivered violently again and closed my eyes.
"Sirius, I'm not sure he's going to make it through the night." Andromeda whispered. Sirius grabbed my hand.
"No, he has to be okay. You hear me Uncle Alphard, you can't die!" he begged, I could hear the tears choking his words. Andromeda gently pried his hand from mine.
"Sirius, all we can do is make him as comfortable as possible."
"No!" Sirius broke down. I could here him crying and Andromeda's voice comforting him. I opened my eyes.
"Sirius," I croaked. Sirius shot over to me. His eyes were red and puffy and tears were still leaking out of them. "I don't want you to stay. I can't tell Andromeda to go, but you are much too young to be here for this."
"I'm not going anywhere." Sirius said firmly. I sighed, but it turned into a cough. Andromeda immediately took over.
"Go back to school Sirius. I'll come get you tomorrow. Dumbledore will understand. For now, I want you to go back and just wait. I'll write before I come get you." She said in a commanding tone. I knew Sirius would listen to her. He hugged me.
"I love you Uncle Alphard." He whispered.
"I love you too, Sirius," I said. He let go of me. I heard the door open and slam shut a few minutes later. Andromeda hovered over me with a wet cloth.
"It'll be much easier if you just go to sleep Uncle Alphard." She said, her voice cracking. Her face was red too. I touched her hand.
"John Lupin has the key to get to my will. He lives over by the Potters. Go to him before you go to Sirius." I croaked. Andromeda nodded, unable to speak. I smiled and closed my eyes. I don't know how long it took, but when I opened my eyes, it wasn't Andromeda's sweet face I saw, but a girl I had only seen in pieces.
"You're John Lupin's daughter." I said. She nodded.
"How did you know that?" she asked.
"I helped recover what was left of you after the werewolf attack." I explained.
"Oh, do you want to come inside?" she asked pointing to a white marble castle. I nodded. Maybe Gabrielle was there.