Chapter Twenty-Three - The Wait

Harry felt ashamed

Here he was, lying in bed, day after day. Sirius and Remus never left his side, alternating their shifts to ensure he was never alone. He spent most of his time sleeping, and during the fleeting moments he was awake, he just started at the wooden ceiling above the bed he had found himself in since he first regained consciousness.

Sometimes, tears would flow. He had no idea for what reason. They were just there. Sirius would stop his endless talking to lie down next to him. Remus would continue reading aloud, only showing that he had noticed by heating up his untouched cold tea again.

Harry was so thankful for both of them.

Finally, after a week, he felt like responding again. He had woken up feeling much more clear and bright, as if the strange cloud in his head had disappeared. He started registering more of the room than just the ceiling, and the company around him became something he looked forward to. An urge of talking, standing up, helping out, running and jumping. Sirius soon took him for a tour around the house, talking excitedly about all the little knick knacks he had picked up throughout his life, most of it being from rock bands or festivals. And every day Remus would wait for them in the kitchen, meal prepared or hot chocolate at the ready.

That was how Harry found out he was at the Lupin/Black cottage.

"I think I told you in one of my letters last year!" Sirius exclaimed rather excitedly, while Remus would cough out a "... ehum by accident Pad, could you have any less tact". And Sirius bumped Remus hard in his arm.

"So yeah Harry, I admit, a bit more tact would have been good. But as I was saying before I was rudely interrupted-" he gave Remus a dead stare "-Moony and I were actually together from sixth year and onwards. The war changed everyone mind you, but we bought this cute little house the moment we graduated. The Wolfs Den! Or at least that's my name for it." He grinned at Remus proudly, who just shook his head tiresomely.

Harry had no idea what Sirius expected him to say but he was more than happy to just see his father's two best friends interact so casually. It looked adorable, for a lack of a better word.

Remus shoved Sirius in his chair before Sirius could start jumping around again doing whatever it was to get rid of his energy. "What Sirius is trying to say Harry, is that the two of us were together before- well, you know. We are currently working through the difficulties and emotional traumas we have both sustained from the war, but are happy we can do it together."

A small silence ensued as Remus continued "What I am trying to say is that I know what it is like in the muggle world and how they feel towards homosexuals, so if you have any questions, please feel free to do ask them."

"Oh yeah that's right, I remember Lils tell us about the stereotypes and discriminations they have going on there. It's almost like my family, ey Moons" and he broke free from Remus's hold on him and the chair, and started walking around the kitchen, randomly throwing stuff in a pan that hopefully no one had to eat tonight.

Harry, amused by the situation he suddenly found himself in, just smiled at Remus "Are you guys asking me if I'm okay with you two being together? Because honestly, I love you guys, so whatever right?" He shrugged.

The sound of a pan falling on the ground was heard after Harry was lifted up with Padfoot's strong arms. "We love you too, Pup, never forget that" he whispered.

"See I told you Moony, the son of James and Lily, would never be a great bigot ey" he let go of Harry, kissed a silent smiling teary Remus on the cheek and sat down.

Harry made dinner that night, for Sirius' 'stew', was nowhere close to being edible.

Even Sirius himself admitted so.

Finally feeling like he had the energy to do something, making dinner for Sirius and Remus gave him the greatest satisfaction. They ate it outside, in the garden, on a picnic blanket under a tree. It was almost as peaceful as it was at the lake.

To make things even better, Dumbledore had decided that Remus and Sirius could keep Harry in their cottage for the time being. This did not happen without a lot of threats from Sirius, and luckily more reasonable arguments from Remus. The main argument being that no one except for them, Snape, and Harry's parents had known about the existence of the cottage in the first place (Snape only knowing it because Remus had forced him into a friendship third year. Needlessly said, Harry was shocked). Which is when Dumbledore forcefully admitted that indeed they were right and Harry's safety would be alright for the time being. Still ignoring all the threats Sirius had made for sending Harry to anyone but him.

While the recovery was still painfully slow, Harry started exploring the house more and stupidly enough found the letters from Draco that had been send during his unconscious days.

He felt horrible, afraid he had lost any possibility of talking to Malfoy, and just plain guilty. What made it even stranger was that truly only Draco had written. Why in Merlin's name had Ron and Hermione still not written him, did he mean that little to them? Had he really been so distant before the summer started that they didn't feel like talking to him anymore?

Perhaps he would discuss this with Sirius or Remus later this week, they should know what to do right? In the meantime, Harry felt forced to send Draco a letter immediately, hoping it was not yet too late. Sirius and Remus were at Sirius' mind healer this afternoon anyway. Perhaps he could try make them treacle tart afterwards?

While the treacle tart was still not to Harry's liking that evening, the three of them once again enjoyed their dinner in the garden. Sirius talking about his ridiculous childhood stories (only the fun bits) and even starting to contemplate inviting Narcissa and Andromeda over for tea soon. Remus decided that they should wait till Sirius would have his mind in order before inviting over the whole sophisticated 'normal' side of the Black family. Harry, in the mean, time just drilled Sirius about Draco's mom, having had no idea she was forced in an unhappy marriage with Lucius Malfoy. He even learned that Narcissa had been sending Sirius letters the moment she heard of his escape asking about his wellbeing and the Black family's estates and influence. A whole system had apparently been set up between Sirius and Narcissa to make sure their letters would not fall into the wrong hands, Harry found it too complicated to really understand.

The evening was spent with stories about his parents and his grandparents and their lives. Which is how Harry started dreaming about the place Sirius had to run to when he was sixteen, where his father had proposed to his mom. Even where Remus had pushed Sirius in a muddy pool after James had dived in to find Remus's so called 'very important ring he lost'. Apparently still the worst prank Remus had ever pulled if they were to believe James, whose 'trust' had been broken "for all eternity" that day. The place where his grandparents had built a home.

- Potter Manor.

It existed. When Harry asked about it, his two guardians looked at him dumbfounded. They had completely forgotten Harry had never seen the place and immediately resolved in bringing him there as soon as possible and set up the place for them to live. It was like their second home for them. While Harry had wanted to go immediately, Remus had shaken his head and apologised. "You have to heal first Harry." But Harry didn't care.

It would be worth the wait.