The funeral was to be in two days, and Harry was taken to Malfoy manor for now, he was in no shape for school. Even if he was willing to go home, they knew it was a bad idea, Cornelius had not given up. He still wanted to have a public memorial service, and had announced a statue was to be made in his memory, even if not a state funeral. Harry had enough to deal with without being pestered by that man, and with the security of the manor, Harry could be left in peace. Harry was now Lord Potter-Black, though he couldn't claim the titles till he was done school, and was far richer than Lucius.
Remus was at least relieved Sirius had done one thing right, and kept his promise about the will, Remus wishing it hadn't been needed. Lucius or he would have eventually claimed Harry, but Cornelius would have kept a hold of him for as long as possible. Harry would have been a pawn to a man who did not care at all.
Lucius looked at Severus the next morning."I am surprised you have come to stay here."
Severus looked around the room. "I once called it home, I have many wonderful memories with my.... your father here."
Lucius knew why Severus changed terms, he had accused Lucius of being jealous of his bond with Abraxas, when he went to prison. Lucius had known he was right, he was jealous his dad loved the man he thought had attacked Narcissa, and a bit before that. He knew he was unfair and uncalled for, his dad had loved him so much, and Severus had been in need of a dad. Tobias was not a dad, and Abraxas offered him that, as he had always tried to offer Harry. Sirius loved his son and would never have touched him, but he had been an absentee dad, and Lucius did his best to fill the void.
Severus knew his mind. "You worried your dad would not be proud, but he would. He would be proud of the dad you have been to both those boys."
Lucius looked to where the boys were sitting and talking. "I never thought I would take after my dad, but I have never regretted for a moment, helping raise him."
He would have loved to have more kids, but not with Narcissa, and she had not wanted the one she had given him. He had once dreamed of several kids, but with the man standing next to him, and not the woman. Harry had filled a void for his son, Draco had always wanted brothers and sisters, and Harry had been the closest for him. He wondered if he may still be able to have them, he was not too old, and not simply wait for grandchildren to come.
He watched Severus though in the hospital, and now here, Harry not the only reason he had faced being back here in the manor. Severus felt a connection to Harry due to a common childhood, but also because of Remus, who he was always so close to.
Lucius broached the subject. "You care about Remus a lot don't you? More than before?"
Severus turned to look at him. "He is the only living person who never gave up on me. I have no idea how I would have made it without him."
While there was a truth to it, Lucius knew Severus was not entirely honest, either with Lucius or himself, he suspected. He and Remus may have been friends in school, but the years since prison, Severus and Remus seemed to have evolved that relationship. Lucius had known Remus was attracted, he had accused him before, but he had over looked Severus until now. He was not about to lose without a fight, but he knew there was competition, even if Remus did not seem to want to fight.
Lucius put a hand on his arm."I know he needs your help as Harry mourns for his dad, but I am here as well. Sirius was my best friend, and I care about Harry deeply."
Severus snarled. "If he was your best friend, don't use his death to hit on me. Remus has stood with me through it all, I am here for him now."
With that Severus walked into the room to see the boys, and Lucius regretted his words, he knew he should have held his tongue. Severus was right, this was about the death of a man he had relied on for so much in his life, as Sirius relied on him. Remus was not using this to land Severus, he was focussed on his nephew, and on his own pain as well. Lucius knew Remus did not play games, he would lose to Lucius before he played dirty, and Lucius was the one doing the damage to his chances.
He was surprised when Moody came into the manor and he was worried. "What has Cornelius done now?"
Moody looked to where Harry was."He has been inviting reporters to the funeral, he does not plan to allow it to be private."
Lucius was snapped back into what was important, the funeral for Sirius, and making it as easy on Harry as possible. Harry had enough to worry about, he was lost in pain, once again he was an orphan. Remus loved him dearly, and would help him, but Harry did not need to be harassed by the media, or the minister.
Moody sighed. "I have called in a lot of men off the clock, for security. I hope Harry never need know they were there, but I thought you should know of it."
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It seemed Moody had kept to his word, and if any media or politicians were there, none noticed. Harry would have the funeral he asked for, a small ceremony with only family and a few friends, and a small lunch to follow. Harry's dad loved his job, but he had done it to save lives and keep people safe, not to be some hero. Harry knew a statue was to be made, like the one of his parents here in town, but he could not stop it. He would not attend the dedication, or have a press conference, and he would not have to grieve in the public focus either. Today was for him to mourn, and about no one else, even the others invited understood that.
The cemetery Harry had only come to a few times, he knew his dad came once a year, but he had not brought his son. Harry had never known his birth parents, well had no memories, and Lucius had reminded Sirius of that. He took Harry when Harry asked to come, like just before he started school, but not before then.
Remus looked at the three stones."I never thought I would be the last of us. We thought we were invincible when we were in school."
Severus put a hand on his shoulder. "Most of us did back then."
The war was a joke, they had never thought when they started school, that it would ever become a real war. Sirius had always wanted to be an auror, but James had wanted to play quidditch, and with Lily, have three or four children. There were so many people, not simply the marauders, who thought they would die old. Severus missed the war, being in prison, he had not watched them die. Looking at Lily's stone though, he had mourned no less, just years later than the others had.
Lucius had Harry by the arm, Harry was still attempting to keep it together as best as he could, his only break down had been when he died. Harry wanted to be so brave like both of his dads had been, and he seemed to think that meant he could not cry. Remus tried to tell him that even aurors cried, but Harry would not.
Albus spoke."I never thought I would say this about a pack of troublemakers, but the marauders were some of my favourites. It grieves me to bury a second one."
Andromeda placed some flowers down upon the soil. "To me you are not the auror or marauder, but the cousin who used to turn my hair purple."
There was not much religion in their world, and Sirius would not have wanted formal stuffiness, here or at the lunch to follow. They all spoke of their favourite memories of the man who had touched them all, who would be missed by so many. One of the reasons Harry did not need a formal state funeral, not only was about the people he didn't know, but all focus on the auror, and not on the man. Sirius was an auror, but that was his job, not his entire being.
Remus knelt."I promise all three of you, I will take care of Harry. I will make sure he laughs and loves, and one day has some mini marauders. I promise you."
Harry was last."I love you daddy, I hope you are at peace and happy with my mom and father. I miss you daddy."
Arms encircled around him from behind, and without looking Harry knew it was Remus and he rested back in his arms. He knew everyone had tried to keep the stories happy, even Remus had done his best with that, but Harry could not. He still had no tears, but he could not come up with a happy memory, all he saw was his dad in that hospital bed before he died, and picturing the future. Remus always seemed to know him, and reminded Harry this was his dad, and he was to do what he needed.
Lucius looked at the others. "There is a small lunch waiting for us at the manor. I am sure we could all use some food, as we continue with the stories."
Remus helped Harry to his feet. "I know this is hard cub, but we are here, lean on us. You don't need to be strong for us."
Though he held to his Uncle, even after they had apparated to the manor, Harry would not allow any more comfort then that. The one time he had spoke during the funeral, was the only time he had spoken, even as others talked over the meal. To some people laughing and smiling would be wrong at a memorial, but this one was for Sirius, and he would have been upset if they were not. Even Harry said it was to be a celebration of his life, not about his loss, and they would at least attempt that.
Draco noticed some time later and went over to Remus."Have you seen Harry? I have not seen him since the meal."
Remus had left him to speak to Molly, as he swore he was fine. "I am sure he has simply gone for some air. This has been a lot for him to handle."
Though he did not want to worry Draco any more than he was, or the others, Remus knew that he needed to check on his nephew. He knew Harry was too much like both his dads, to do anything drastic, but he knew Harry was in such bad shape. He started looking for his nephew, wishing the manor was not so vast as it was.
Severus found him as he was looking."Don't panic, I am sure we will find him soon. It is like at the hospital. Harry simply needs some space."
Before Remus could respond, Kreacher showed up. "Master Lupin sir be needing to come to house, new master be there, and be very upset."
They were shocked Harry had left the manor, and assumed he had found some floo powder as the bus would be noticed, and Kreacher confirmed that. Remus was losing the fight not to be in a panic, but he had no idea why Harry had left the manor, and not told any one. Severus promised to tell the others, as he went to check on him.
Lucius came into the room when Remus left, and put a calming hand on him. "I am sure they will both be fine."
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Remus was worried, and confused when he walked into the house, not knowing what to expect. He thought his nephew was simply upset, and he had come to his dad's home to be alone, and to feel closer to him, then at the manor of course. He went into panic mode when he smelled smoke though, but he calmed a bit as he knew it was small, but the aroma was not a normal fire. He could tell that it came from the den.
He walked into the room, where he found Harry, who was burning what he realized was stacks of flowers and cards, that must have been there. Harry did not look up at him, and showed no reaction to him being there, until he came over to stop him.
Remus held him. "Cub I know it was painful to hear all those stories about him, and to see all of this. Kreacher could have done this."
Harry tried to pull away from him."I didn't have any place there. They all know him, I didn't. I have no stories. I should have let him have a state funeral."
Remus was reminded Severus told him about the hospital, Harry had been so scared to show his pain, he lashed out instead. Harry was justified, just like he accused his dad of being selfish and choosing work over him, he was now too. Harry had memories he reminded him, why he was in so much pain, why he loved his dad so much.
Harry kept fighting his hands. "Memories? Uncle Luc held me through nightmares, you nursed me through dragon pox, and taught me how to read."
Remus kissed him on the had."He was there with James when you took your first steps. He took you for your wand, was at your first game."
He summoned an album he knew Sirius had, filled with photos of them, even before the adoption. He told Harry about his birth, and though painful, about that Halloween, and how he swore Sirius almost pissed his pants in fear. They lived at the manor for a month, Sirius had been so scared he would screw it up.
Harry was sobbing."I just wanted to be enough for him just once. He was supposed to be here to walk me down the aisle, to hold my kids, he was supposed to........."
Remus held him as Harry's voice trailed off."I know I can never replace him, but I will be there for it all. And I know he will watch over you."
In so many ways, he and Lucius had shared the role of dad, that Sirius was never ready for. If they did not fill the voids, Harry would likely have been more angry at his dad then he was, but it changed nothing. Sirius was dad, for better or worse, and as Harry cried himself to sleep, Remus knew Harry had a painful road ahead of him.
Remus put Harry to bed, Kreacher sent to tell the others. He kissed Harry's head. "I know I am not your dad, but I promise I will help you feel better."