The full moon was tonight. Although Sirius and Remus didn't have a strong plan as to what they were really going to do, seeing as Harry was still only just two years old, turning three in a few days, they could not leave him alone for the night. But yet there was no one that Sirius trusted enough to look after Harry during the dark hours, not without himself or Remus being there. And it wasn't like Harry loved the idea of Sirius leaving, still clinging tightly onto the man whenever he could, just in case.
"What about Dumbledore?" Remus asked, sitting at the kitchen table opposite Sirius as they tried finding a suitable babysitter for the night. Harry could be heard and seen from his spot in the living room, playing with his toys on the floor.
"Do you not think he would be busy?" Sirius asked, although finding the thought unsettling, leaving Harry with the headmaster but knowing this was one of the last options. If anyone could protect Harry, it would be that man.
"Couldn't hurt to check," Remus pointed out and Sirius couldn't help but agree, moving to send the man a message. "But Sirius, I am sure I will be fine on my own. I have been surviving these past few years, one more full moon won't hurt…" But the man was cut off from just one look from Sirius, who was glaring at the werewolf.
"Nope. I am finally out of that wretched prison cell and I don't want to feel completely useless, and this I know I can help you with. So no more arguments, I'll send this message to Dumbledore and you will have as good a night as possible."
With no ability to argue, Remus remained silent.
"P'foot…" Harry came stumbling into the kitchen a few seconds later, unshed tears filling his eyes.
"Hey buddy, what's wrong?" Sirius asked, kneeling down so the two of them were them were the same height.
"I hurts" Harry said in a shaky voice, lifting up his arm and show his godfather the reddened skin on his hand.
"Oh baby," Sirus said softly pulling Harry towards him for a hug. "How did you do that?"
"I burn it on the fiwa."
"The fire?" Sirius asked, confused. Although there was a fireplace in the living room, at that moment the wood was not burning seeing as it was too hot due to the sunny weather for that extra heat. There shouldn't have been a way for Harry to burn his hand.
Harry didn't respond, his only gesture was letting tears fall down his face as he continued to hold out his burnt hand to his Godfather. Sirius gave Remus a look and the man went into the living room to investigate whilst Sirius tried to patch up his poor boy.
"Come on then." Sirius said, lifting Harry up and sitting him on top of the table so that he could try and heal the small wound.
Whilst Sirius was playing medic, Remus wandered back in with a confused look on his face, his skin noticeably paler. "The fire, it's lit."
"What?"
"I've put it out now, it was boiling in that room. But the fireplace was lit and crackling quite well."
"How?" At that point both adults looked at the little child sitting, staring at his now sorted hand without a care in the world. Almost simultaneously Remus and Sirius looked up at each other with wide eyes. Although wandless magic did occur throughout the wizarding world, it was only done by people with great skill. Usually, not by two year olds.
"Harry baby," Sirius asked cautiously, "where did that fire come from?" He had bent down so that he was eye-level with the boy. All Harry did was shrug his shoulders and stay silent. Sirius let out a frustrated sigh but was no put down by the boy's response.
"Baby, we just want to know how you got that ouchie." Sirius said pointing to the damaged hand. At that Harry looked up, then bought his hand up for Sirius to see.
"Was fiwa?" Harry said and Sirius nodded.
"We know it was a fire baby," Sirius spoke gently, "but where did the fire come from?" Sirius had changed his tone to a lighter one in hopes to entice an answer out of the boy.
"It-it was just der..." Harry mumbled, "I play! I play, me a fiwa-fiter!" Harry said, suddenly excited. "I play and den real fiwa!"
"Harry, when there's a fire we don't go towards it okay? Fires are hot and we don't want any more ouchies."
"No ouchie!"
"So when you see a fire?"
"No go! Fiwa fiwa!"
"There's a good boy. Now I'm going to bring a few of your toys in here and you can play in the kitchen alright?" Before Harry could respond, Sirius was already heading towards the living room and collecting some of Harry's favourites.
Both Sirius and Remus knew what this meant, that Harry was more powerful than either could really understand. Maybe Dumbledore coming over would be a good idea after all seeing as he was all knowing.
"Sirius…" Remus started once they were both sitting at the kitchen table keeping a careful eye on their little boy.
"I know." Sirius closed his eyes and leant his head back, "I know."
"We have no idea what he can do. We can't just leave him."
"Where on earth did you get the idea that we would leave him?" Sirius asked astounded, the thought had never even crossed his mind.
"Not like that Padfoot." Remus said calmly, and Sirius could tell that he wanted to roll his eyes, "for the night. Full moon and all."
"Dumbledore is one of the cleverest and most powerful wizard there is. If anyone could look after Harry it is him. He might even be able to figure out how powerful he is."
"I suppose you're right." Remus mumbled.
"I always am."
The owl came back late in the afternoon, confirming that Dumbledore could look after Harry for the night and was in fact looking forward to the visit. Which then meant that Sirius and Remus had to have to tell the young wizard that he was going to be leaving for the night.
"Hey Harry," Sirius spoke in a light tone, sitting down on the floor next to the small boy. Harry was back to playing with his toys, completely immersed which meant that he ignored his Godfather and carried on in his own little world. "Harry, would you like to visit Dumbledore tonight?"
"D'dore?" Harry whispered, looking up from his play to look at Sirius.
"Yeah, do you remember him? He was there when I came and picked you up from your Aunt and Uncles."
"Send back?" Harry asked alarmed at the mention of the two.
"No, no don't worry. Never send back." Sirius promised, leaning forward to kiss the boys forehead. "Just tonight, we want you to go to Dumbledore."
"Why?"
And that was the question that Sirius did not know how to answer. In part he didn't want to lie to the boy, he never wanted to lie to Harry. But along with that is the fact that the whole reason the two were parting for the night was due to Remus being a werewolfand both Remus and Sirius did not think that telling Harry would be a good idea at that point in Harry's life. So Sirius went with option B.
"Moony, he's not feeling well and we- we don't want you to get sick." Partly true.
"Me help?" Harry asked, pointing his little finger at himself with wide green eyes that shone right through his round glasses and into the older man's soul.
"Oh sweetheart," Sirius whispered, pulling the boy into his lap just he could hold the boy he loved so dearly. "If you could help, we absolutely would want you there. You know that, but not this time alright?" Harry accepted that, having not quite realised that it meant that he would have to split from Sirius for the night. "But it also means I won't be able to stay with you for the night," Sirius added, just to be clear, "I've got to look after Moony."
It only took Harry a moment to realise what his godfather said, but it took a solid half hour to actually calm to boy down enough for Sirius to talk to him and for the young boys tears to stop. Sirius tried his hardest to soothe the Harry, even Remus came in and tried but nothing seemed to work. They figured it was a much worse reaction that when Sirius left for the day, due to the fact that Harry was leaving the house and going with someone who was essentially a stranger to him.
"Harry," Sirius tried again but all it did was make Harry let out a louder cry, but Sirius could tell he was calming down somewhat due to the boys hitched breathing and strained voice. "Shhh," Sirius soothed as he placed Harry back into his lap and started stroking the boy's hair.
"I sowwy." Harry sobbed out, his small hands grasping at the material of his godfathers clothes, "I sowwy." Sirius didn't even know whether to the boy was apologising for crying so much or in some way trying to convince Sirius to stay. Harry's voice was cracking from overuse and it must have hurt him to talk or cry in away because all his was let out small whimpers as he eyes slowly drooped. Exhaustion must have taken over the little boy from all the energy he had used during his freak out. In only a matter of minutes Harry was out, his breathing evened out and body relaxed.
"Okay," Sirius whispered as he picked up his godson, "it's all going to be okay." Letting the boy rest on the sofa, quickly throwing a blanket over him, the man walked into the kitchen to see Remus sitting there already prepared with a large coffee for Sirius.
"Thanks," Sirius spoke quietly, enjoying the silence that settled around the house. He slowly sipped the hot drink, his body still not used to the effect of caffeine which means he will be able to stay awake through all hours of the night.
"Sirius…" Remus breathed ready to fight again on Sirius' decision to stay with Remus but the older man just shook his head. Remus was already looking ill, his face pale and gaunt.
"Dumbledore will be here in a couple of hours. I'll get Harry's stuff ready."
The sky was beginning to edge darkness when the fire flamed for a moment and Dumbledore stepped out. "Ah, good evening Sirus, Remus," Dumbledore said when he spotted them, "And Mr Potter." Dumbledore smiled at the small boy who had woken up from his nap only an hour ago and was clinging desperately to his godfather. Currently Harry was sitting on Sirius' lap, both hands clutching the material of his shirt and face smushed into his godfathers chest in hopes that if he stuck himself to the man, maybe they wouldn't leave.
But it seemed that plan was failing. "He's feeling a bit shy today isn't he?" Sirius cooed, jogging the boy on his knew. Harry just stayed firmly where he was, not even looking at the Dumbledore. But the older wizard just gave the two a knowing smile, like he had dealt with this every day.
"No worries," Dumbledore's calm voice spoke, "does young Mr Potter here have anything he wants for the night?"
"Oh yes," Remus went a grabbed the bag that Sirius had prepared filled with Harry's favourites. Including his pyjamas, soft toy that he had affectionately named Prongs after finding out that was his father's nickname and a small charm that was a golden yellow representing the stone Citrine, Sirius' birth stone in hopes to comfort the boy. "I think that's it." Remus said looking around the kitchen as if to double check. Harry was still clutching tightly to Sirius, his glasses having to be placed into his packed bag otherwise they would have smashed against Sirius chest.
Once Dumbledore was holding the bag, quickly and silently, so that Harry would not realise what was happening, the headmaster placed his hands on Harry so that he was able to take his weight and remove him from the grip he had on his godfather. It only a few moments for Harry to realise what was happening and to let out a weak cry hands straining to reach his Godfather.
Sirius was holding back tears.
"There we go Harry" Dumbledore spoke softly, rocking the boy slightly in hopes to calm him down. "Do you want to say goodbye?"
"P'foot." Was all Harry whispered before turning his face away from the two men and into Dumbledore's chest, seemingly hurt by their 'betrayal' and intending to ignore them.
"Bye Harry." Remus whispered, walking over the small boy and placing a kiss on the back of his head as the boy refused to move.
Sirius then got up, placing a small kiss to a similar spot to Remus, "Bye baby." And then both Dumbledore and Harry were gone.
"I feel like the worst human being on the planet." Remus said straight away. Sirius just blinked rapidly and sat down heavily on a chair in the kitchen.
Once Harry and Dumbledore had gotten back to Hogwarts, the professor apparating to his office, he set Harry down onto the floor and placed the packed bag on his desk. "Well Mr Potter," the headmaster said, "what would you like to do?"
"P'foot." Came the small reply after a minute of silence.
"Unfortunately we cannot go and see your godfather until tomorrow." Dumbledore stated, "But we are currently in Hogwarts."
Harry looked up as the man said those words.
"Hog'wawt?" Harry replied shakily, "Where mummy and daddy went?" Whilst Harry had been looking at all the photos that Sirius and Remus could find, the two explained each story behind each moving picture. Which include magic tails from the time spent a Hogwarts, from the time spent in the forbidden forest to the adventures in the whomping willow.
"As well as Sirius and Remus. I could show you to their old bedrooms if you would like?" Harry's eyes lit up. Taking the small boys hand, Dumbledore led the boy down the set of spiral stairs and towards the Gryffindor common room. Due to it being the middle of July, the school was empty of all students and most teachers. Only a few stayed for the summer.
This meant that Harry could walk as slowly as possible and stare at everything he walked past without a fuss. Each portrait that interested him he would stare at and usually the paintings stared right back making the boy giggle.
It took far longer than it should to get to the dorms in Gryffindor. Harry got distracted by the many staircases and winding corridors but if it meant that the boy was happy and distracted from his temporary split from his godfather, then Dumbledore was quite happy to go along with it.
"Daddy bed?" Harry asked pointing to the one of the far left, perfectly made with red and golden sheets covering. The headmaster nodded, watching as the boy was fascinated with everything in the room. When they had first gone it Harry had immediately asked which was one was Sirius' and quickly ran over to it. He reached out with an unsteady hand and gently touched the sheets before then moving on towards everyone and ended up next to his father's bed.
"Yes, and if you see here…" Dumbledore moved towards the large wooden frame and bent to show Harry a little carving that had stayed on the bed since it had been carved in. The word 'lily' was written on and Dumbledore watched as Harry slowly ran his fingers over the uneven wood. When it was first found, the little carved out word, Mr Filch had been set out to sort it before the new students came flooding in. But Dumbledore had stopped him, knowing that a battle was arising against the dark lord and he wanted that to be finished with before wiping away any memories. Of course with the end result, the headmaster was very glad to have never gotten rid of a solid memory of both James and Lily Potter.
The boy spent a long time wandering around the room, asking small questions whenever he felt like he needed to and Dumbledore would do his best to answer. However much Dumbledore was being praised for being one of the most intelligent wizards, he still could not know everything that the marauders got up to during their stay at the school.
Soon the two were back holding hands and walking towards different sections of the castle. Exploring. It had been years since Dumbledore had explored the castle especially with someone who had not known what was magic was less than two weeks ago and so young.
For dinner the two went into the kitchen and met the house elves, meeting Tilkey and Sanby who promised to bring plates of food up to the headmaster and his friend. So the young man and professor meandered back to the headmaster's office, Dumbledore seeing the boys eyes slip close and yawns becoming increasing more regular showing how tired Harry was. He would have dinner and then it would be bedtime.
Tilkey and Sanby along with many more house elves bought up plates of food from mouth-watering lasagne to large bowls of tomato soup. Along with breads, salads and roasted vegetables. A large table had to be transferred into the office to accommodate all the food that was bought up. Harry loved it, giggling and clapping every time an elf would snap into the room with another plate of food. Dumbledore suspected that was the reason there was such an enormous amount.
Harry was only a small boy and was becoming tired so he only ate a few pieces of cut up lasagne with a small slice of cherry pie for dessert. Once the boy had finished sipping his juice Dumbledore knew that the next step was getting him ready for bed.
Counting on the fact that the boy would be tired he attempted to get the boy into his pyjamas and towards a bathroom that would allow Harry to brush his teeth and go to the toilet before bed. Harry was lethargic and no help in changing his clothes, most of the time sucking his thumb.
The main challenge was getting Harry to bed and getting him to stay there. Although Dumbledore had a bedroom right next to his office, he decided that the both of them would go down towards a room more child friendly. Harry would sleep in one room with a small bed, meant for children. And in the next room over Dumbledore would sleep.
"P'foot, say goo'nite?" Harry had asked right before he was meant to sleep. Dumbledore shook his head, reaching out for the small charm that he found in the bag.
"Unfortunately Mr Potter your godfather is unavailable right now." No doubt right in the middle of dealing with Remus as a werewolf. "But he did give me this to give to you." Dumbledore pressed the small stone into Harrys hand and immediately Harry grasped it tightly.
"Whats it?" Harry asked, the charm dark even in the lit room.
"This is your godfathers. It's very precious to him and he gave it to you so you could keep it safe and give it back to him when you next see him."
Harry gasped lightly at the implication, clutching it tighter against his chest. "The only way you'll be able to give it back to him however Harry is if you sleep."
Almost immediately Harry settled down on his bed holding the charm in his hand and closing his eyes. "Goo'nite Mwister D'dore."
"Goodnight Mr Potter." Dumbledore spoke quietly, reaching for his wand and casting the room into darkness as all the candles flickered out. The only light coming from the moon shining through the window.
It was early next morning when the professor knew Harry was awoke. There was light footsteps patting against the wooden floor and a door opening and quietly shutting. Luckily for Dumbledore he had woken before the boy which meant he was ready to greet Harry before he wandered off.
"Ah, Mr Potter I see that you are awake." Dumbledore said once he had stepped out of his room, startling the boy.
"Find P'foot?" Harry asked almost desperately. Although Sirius had said that Harry could come back as early as he wanted Dumbledore knew that both men would be exhausted and he wanted them both to rest before having to deal with a hyper infant.
"How about breakfast first and then we'll go find Sirius?" Harry seemed happy with the concept of food and the idea that he will be seeing his godfather today so he happily strolled along with Dumbledore directing him. Today they were going to eat breakfast in the great hall.
It was empty apart from one long table at the back and the professor was hoping it would give the boy time to run around and be calm before going back home.
Again the house elves out did themselves with breakfast bringing along pastries, meats and cereal for everyone to eat. Although the number of people expanded slightly from the two of them last night due to a couple of teachers joining the headmaster and Harry Potter for breakfast there was still far too much food for all to eat. Harry only a few bites, seeming almost anxious at getting back. Dumbledore noticed that he was clutching the charm tightly and somehow manoeuvring so he didn't have to let it go.
"Harry dear, why don't you sit down and finish the rest of your breakfast?" McGonagall asked the boy who was sitting a few feet away from the table and playing with a toy truck that was bought for him.
"Hmm, no fank-oo" Harry replied absently, not really concentrating on what the teacher was saying.
"It's fine Minerva," Dumbledore whispered to the woman, "he just wants to see Sirius."
"Well isn't that sweet." The teacher replied, a small delicate smile placed upon her face a few seconds before it slipped away as she carried on eating her food.
It took for Harry to be wandering aimlessly for Dumbledore to take him back to his home and by that time it was late morning. Harry had played with his truck, his bear, and his blocks, in fact all of the toys packed and with each one he got bored and moved on until there was nothing left. He took to walking around the castle but soon lost interest because 'P'foot and moony not here' Harry explained.
"Come on then Harry," Dumbledore said, "time to go home."
"Rweally?" Harry asked, his attitude changing from a small sad boy to a ball of happiness. "Now?" He asked just to make sure.
"Right now." Dumbledore replied with a smile on his face. Harry and the professor cleared up all of the small boy's possessions, placing them back into the bag all expect for the small charm that Harry held on to.
"Ready?" Which was a stupid question to ask because this is all that Harry has wanted since he apparated into Hogwarts. Predictably the boy nodded and clutched at the professors hand and held tightly as they apparated back to Harry's home.
Dumbledore didn't know where Sirius and Remus would be in the house when the two got back, he was certainly expected Remus to be asleep but Sirius might have been waiting Harry's return. And as usual Dumbledore was correct seeing as when they apparated into the kitchen, Sirius was sitting there by the kitchen table.
"Pa'foot!" Harry shouted as soon as he saw him, letting go of Dumbledore's hand and running straight for the animagus. Sirius stood up, a large smile breaking out of his face as he swept up the young boy into his arms.
"Harry." The main said in a much more subdued manner. The two clutched each other tightly, Harry having strong arms wrapped around his godfather's neck and Sirius wrapped his arms around the small boys frame.
It was like the two hadn't seen each other in years, not hours.
But Dumbledore understood, knowing that Sirius had been taken so cruelly away from everything and everyone he loved and he wasn't ready for that to happen again. Especially with Harry.
"Missed 'oo" Harry mumbled into the man's neck, looking like he was quite comfortable and never letting go again.
"I missed you too Harry, very much so." The man turned to Dumbledore and gave him a small smile. "Thank you for looking after him." Sirius said sincerely.
"It is quite alright, Mr Potter and I had a very good time." Harry was moved so that he was resting against the side of Sirius' body, weight on Sirius' hip which meant that Harry could look at Dumbledore.
"Fank-oo mwister d'dore." Harry said and Dumbledore gave him a bright smile.
"The pleasure is all mine but I am afraid I must be off." Dumbledore said, placing all of Harry's bag back onto the kitchen table. "So I'll bid you a farewell. And I do hope Remus feels better."
Once Dumbledore was gone Sirius sat back down into the chair he was previously occupying, now with Harry on his lap.
"How was your night with Dumbledore?" Sirius asked, letting one of his hands rub soothing circles onto the little boys back.
"Good." Was all Harry said, holding on tighter to his godfather. "Got dis." Harry whispered bringing a hand round a showing the charm that was packed in the bag.
"You kept it with you?" Sirius asked, secretly pleased that Harry liked it. Harry just nodded in return, placing the charm into the older man's hand and the proceeding to wrap both his arms back around Sirius' neck. It seemed like there would be a lot more cuddling in the future. Not that Sirius was complaining.
It seemed however that Harry refused to let go of the older man however, following him wherever the animagus would go. Sirius was hoping that Harry would play with his toys and that Sirius could have a nap but it looked like that wasn't going to happen. So Sirius settled for plan B which was where they both nap together.
Sirius was heading towards the stairs and could hear Harry behind him, walking close, not wanting his godfather out of his line of sight. Once Sirius had reached the stairs he turned round and picked the boy up. Remus would say he was being overprotective but Sirius didn't like the idea of Harry walking up and down the stairs.
"How about this," Sirius suggested to Harry, "we go to my room and you can play there?" Harry nodded at that and Sirius grinned, kissing the boys forehead.
Once they got to the room Sirius dropped Harry graciously on the bed making him bounce and laugh out loud. Sirius collapsed down next to him, his stomach resting against the mattress and head mashed into the pillow. "P'foot," Harry giggled crawling over so he was laying on his side opposite Sirius.
"Love ya Harry." Sirius said tiredly, reaching to stroke the boy's cheek once before closing his eyes. He felt the mattress move, meaning that Harry was moving and then he felt Harry snuggled up next to him, face resting against Sirius' chest. And Sirius fell asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in years.