The four are having a late lunch, the silence only broken by cutlery scraping the plates. The four are stressing. Lyall and Hope are stressing due from the full moon that is going to happen later that night. Sirius is stressing about being cast out, Sirius over the years tested his family but he never thought it would come to this. He was their first, their beloved Grim. He naively thought he would be loved unconditionally, even though they complained about his behavior he didn't think they had it in them to disown their first born son.
Ramona is stressing about how upset Sirius is. She wants to cuddle him and just kiss him silly to make him feel better but with her parents watchful eyes on her, she didn't think they will approve of such behaviour.
"You can't stay here Black, especially since the full moon is occurring later tonight," announces Lyall.
Sirius barks out a laugh, "I won't be staying tonight, Padfoot will be. Moony likes me so I'll be alright."
"Moony," says Hope confused.
Clapping his hands excitedly Sirius then starts telling the story of finding out Ramona's secret and wanting to help. How much they trained to be an animagus. Lyall debated back and forth on this with Sirius and in the end Lyall demanded one good reason why he shouldn't inform Dumbledore of their illegal deeds.
"Because Ramona is so much better with her friends, because if you cared for your daughter at all you would see the good in her."
Lyall and Hope are not sure what to make of Sirius, Lyall is convinced there is madness in the Black family after all.
Ramona is taken aside by her father for a private conversation, "Your friend seems a little unhinged and I don't think it's a good idea for him to be with your Wolf form."
Ramona chuckles nervously, "He isn't unhinged, he showed you the memories to convince you."
Lyall sighs, "If something happens Ramona? What then?"
"It will work out."
It has to work out.
Moony sniffs around annoyed about no trees, no hunt, no fun. Sniffing Moony smells a threat and wishes to attack this threat. man. Moony charges towards the man but gets stopped by something and she can't move forward. Moony starts snarling, angry at being stopped. Next to man is Padfoot. Moony howls upset, why is Padfoot friend of man. Man bad.
Padfoot runs towards Moony, what stopped Moony going forward doesn't stop Padfoot. Padfoot licks Moonys snout and starts chasing his tail. Moony growls angrily and nods her head towards man asking for explanation. Padfoot whines and yelps. friend of Moony.
Moony growls and slowly makes her way to man. man, friend? Moony instincts to kill and hunt man threat is strong but Padfoot is trusted pack member. The most trusted. The scent of the man is over powerfully ... evil.
Moony tries to touch man with her snout but a force is still stopping her get close. Moony looks into the eyes of man and sees fear, Moony turns her head to the side confused, Man afraid? Man bad, man attack, man danger. Man not usually afraid. Padfoot barks to get Moony's attention, Moony nods to man and turns to Padfoot again wanting to play.
When the rays of light hit Lyall's eyes he sighs for the night is finally over and Ramona will be coming back. Lyall turns to the wolf and already he sees the hair of the wolf rescinding. Not long until his daughter comes back to him. The night was successful, no one was hurt, Padfoot helped the Wolf and Lyall doesn't know what to think of it all. Lyall is excellent at defense but he has never attempted to be a animagus.
Ramona groans and stretches, to try and get rid of pain. When Ramona opens her eyes she notices her father is looking at her. Lyall quickly passes Ramona a hot chocolate, after a sip she smiles. Lyall is confused, Ramona is smiling? Over something he did. It's a sad state of affairs if a smile from his own daughter surprises him, so Lyall determinedly thinks things need to change and perhaps becoming an animagus may help.
When the three return back to the house Sirius and Ramona are joking around laughing and genuinely having a good time.
The rest of the summer is filled with noises, pranks, some screaming. When it's almost time for Ramona to return to Hogwarts Lyall and Hope are slightly surprised to find that they will miss their daughter. They are pleased though that they didn't have to financially provide for Sirius, his uncle had given him some galleons, so Sirius was able to buy his school supplies.
When trunks are placed Hope gives Ramona a hug goodbye and leans in to whisper, "Do you know that boy loves you?"