'Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.
Warning: None for this chapter
Chapter 46 – A Step in the Right Direction
The following morning found Kate and Sirius up early. They ate breakfast together, under the watchful eye of Goldie, who was much more accepting of Sirius than she'd been the previous evening.
Sirius was very quiet, ate little and jumped each time he was spoken to. After breakfast, he fairly fled to the guest bathroom to shower and dress. Kate was already dressed and had placed her suitcase in the front hallway when Sirius appeared on the stairs, backpack slung over one shoulder. Kate glanced at the clock in the parlor; it was just nine. He'd drive himself round the twist by noon if she didn't do something to distract him.
"Come on; I want to show you something," Kate said. "Drop your backpack next to my suitcase and follow me." She called to Goldie to let her know they'd be back in a couple of hours then grabbed Sirius' hand. "Come on."
The two of them descended the front steps and took a right; heading in the direction Sirius had walked the previous day.
"Where are we going?" Sirius asked, entwining her fingers more comfortably with his own as she set a fairly brisk pace beside him.
"Favorite place of mine. You'll see," she said, mysteriously, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.
They walked for a bit longer, Sirius taking in the familiar scenery and finally drew to a stop outside the park where he had come the night before. Sirius smiled.
"It's one of my favorite places, as well," he said. "I spent quite a bit of time last night in that gazebo back there. It's a fair place to sit and ponder, I've discovered."
Kate returned his smile. "But you don't know what happens every morning near your 'pondering place', do you?" She tugged on his hand and they made their way along the path toward the gazebo of which they were both so fond. Halfway there, Sirius saw what Kate must have been referring to.
Around the gazebo were situated what had to be over two dozen dogs and their owners in what appeared to be a rather disorganized play date. There were dogs of all shapes and sizes, from the smallest teacup Poodle to a rather lovably clumsy Boarhound, playing in pairs and in small groups. Some were off-lead, some firmly held by their owners, but all appeared to be having a wonderful time.
As the two young people approached the gathering, a young Golden Retriever bounded over to greet them. "Kate, hello!" a young, blonde woman hurried over, lead at the ready. "Mulligan, sit down; we've talked about this: we do not jump, do we?"
Kate laughed merrily as Mulligan had clearly forgotten that particular conversation and was sitting up on his hind legs, front paws firmly fixed on Kate's stomach as she scratched his ears. A sharp click announced that Mulligan's very strong leather lead was firmly secured to his collar. Unruffled by his sudden loss of freedom, the dog sat down on the grass.
"Hannah! How are you?" Kate returned her friend's greeting then turned to Sirius. "Sirius, this is a friend of mine from our neighborhood, Hannah Cooke. Hannah, my friend, Sirius Black."
The two shook hands then Sirius dropped to his knees on the grass and began to pat Mulligan, who clearly relished the attention. Soon, the young dog was sprawled on his back, hind foot pawing at the air as Sirius laughingly found that very satisfying scratching spot on Mulligan's belly.
"Looks like you've made a friend, Sirius," Hannah observed, chuckling.
"I've always had a way with dogs," he observed. If you only knew.
"Well, Mulligan, playtime's just about over, I'm afraid. Are you ready to go home?" Hannah turned her attention to the playful pup, which appeared to be perfectly content where he was. Sirius, however, stood and took a step back from him and shortly, the dog was on his feet and, with a final lick to Sirius' hand, was trotting beside his owner as she walked up the path.
"This happens every morning?" Sirius posed the question as he watched the parade of dogs and owners exiting the area.
"Mmm," Kate waved to one or two other people she knew then inclined her head toward the gazebo, walking up to sit on the steps. "From 8 to half-nine, each and every weekday. I used to have a dog, but I had to give him away when we left America," her voice grew sad. "When we came back to England, I used to take walks in the park and I happened upon this little group. They were all so friendly; having the chance to enjoy their dogs helped me miss mine a bit less."
Sirius dropped down to sit next to her and started to reply when a low growl sounded behind them. The couple rose and turned on the steps, startled to see a very large Doberman pinscher standing on the top step of the opposite exit. His teeth were bared and he growled again as he took a slow step toward them.
Sirius reacted purely on instinct, transforming into Padfoot and putting himself between the menacing Doberman and Kate. His only focus was the dog opposite them and protecting her from what appeared to be a certain attack.
"Boris! Where are you?" A shrill voice cut through the air and a moment later, an older woman dressed in a very loud green plaid suit strode into view. Upon hearing the voice, the Doberman immediately stopped his advance across the gazebo.
"There you are. What have you … Boris, come here," she commanded, her voice stern, as she took in the scene before her. The dog responded at once, turning and walking to where his mistress stood at the foot of the steps. Once she'd secured the dog on his lead, she stepped into the interior of the structure.
"I must apologize," she said sincerely. "Boris is a rescue dog from a very difficult home situation. Our group has a location on the other side of these gardens; I was working with him and he slipped away. I hope that neither you nor your dog has been injured."
Kate, still stunned by Sirius' transformation, shook her head and tried desperately to find her voice. After a moment, she managed to rasp out, "Not at all. I think we're both just fine." She put her hand on top of the dog's – Sirius' – sleek black head. "We're fine," she repeated weakly. "It was just a shock…" Certainly a true statement!
After peering at them both sharply for a moment longer, the woman nodded. "Well, again – my apologies. He'll be a fine dog once we can reverse some of the aggressive behaviors he developed under his previous owners." She looked down at the now docile Boris. "Come along, Boris," she spoke softly. The dog made eye contact with the woman, rose and walked obediently beside her.
After woman and dog had disappeared behind the hedgerow, Kate walked over to the marble bench and sat down heavily. Padfoot followed and sat down on the floor in front of her, putting his head on her knee. Kate stared down at him, her expression incredulous.
"You're an Animagus," she finally said. Padfoot raised his head and huffed in response before settling back down on her knee, his blue eyes fixed on her face.
"Change back, please," she said quietly then watched as the large black dog morphed into the more familiar shape of Sirius. "Padfoot."
"Makes sense now, doesn't it? I didn't want that snarling mutt to hurt you; I changed without even thinking," Sirius said, sitting next to her and reaching for her hand. "Are you alright?"
Kate nodded. "A bit stunned, of course." Suddenly, her eyes grew wide and her expression became more than a little panicked. "Wait – Sirius – you're not to do magic outside of Hogwarts until you're of age. When the Ministry …"
Sirius reached over and put his finger over her lips. "The Ministry isn't going to know about this. It's a peculiar thing about the Animagus status. It's a bit like Remus' transformations … well, not really, but it's as close as I can come to a proper comparison. Look, you take the potion and the magical imprint becomes part of your body chemistry, part of who you are as a wizard. Transformations to and from my Animagus form are magical, yes, but they are not considered to be outside the Laws of Underage Magic because the form is now part of who I am. There's no wand, you see, so it's not attached to anything that's registered to me and I – well, my Animagus form isn't registered at the Ministry, either. Why do you think they require Animagi to register, Kate? Because they have no other way of knowing about us. Remus was forced to register as a werewolf, but they only know that he transforms every full moon because he is a werewolf and the transformations just happen. There is no signal, no magical imprint created when he transforms. Does this make any sense at all?"
Kate nodded. "When did you …?"
"When did I accomplish it?" he finished. At her nod, Sirius continued. "Early this year. I did it for Remus, so he wouldn't have to spend the full moons alone. See, Moony can only turn humans if he bites them at the full. Animals cannot be turned. We're – well, we were pack mates of a sort. The wolf stopped attacking itself so badly once it had someone else to, well - 'play with', I suppose is the best term." I can't tell her about James & Peter; that's not my secret. I've learned my lesson the hard way. Sorry, Katie.
"Show me again?"
Sirius smiled, lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. Rising, he stood facing her and Kate felt a magical shimmer shift the air. Moments later, the large black dog with Sirius' beautiful eyes, stood in the wizard's place. He sat on the marble floor and lifted his paw for her to take. Kate smiled, finally and took the huge paw in her much smaller hand. After a moment, she looked around to make certain they were still alone then turned to him. "Come back, please."
When Sirius was seated beside her once again, Kate turned to him. "Were you ever going to tell me?"
Sirius put his head down. "I won't lie to you, Katie; I don't know if I would have told you if today hadn't happened. I hated keeping it from you, but it's a secret so closely tied to Remus that I guess I just wanted to keep it hidden away from everyone."
"I understand," she replied softly. "I think it's wonderful, but you do have to be careful if you're not registered."
"I know," he nodded. "And I am." He paused and searched her face. "Are we still ok?"
Kate sighed and wondered if every controversy would always come back to this particular insecurity. "We are still ok," she affirmed, leaning over and kissing his lips gently. Drawing back, she gave him a smile. "You do realize that this gives me an enormous edge, right?"
Sirius' brows drew together in confusion. "No; what do you mean?"
Kate rose. "Well, if you misbehave whilst in Padfoot's form, I can take you to the veterinary for any number of behavior-modifying procedures." Taking in Sirius' shocked expression, she turned and started for the steps only to feel a very strong hand encircle her arm before she'd gotten too far. She chuckled when she felt herself being spun around and pulled tightly against a very unamused wizard.
"If you're referring to what I think you're referring to, I believe you would potentially fall victim to your own punishment," he said softly, his arms tightening around her waist.
Kate's giggle was cut off when Sirius leaned down and captured her lips, kissing her thoroughly. Her arms automatically went around his neck as she returned the kiss enthusiastically. When air became a necessity, Kate looked up into his eyes and nodded. "I see what you mean. Perhaps we'll just stick to more traditional, human behavior modification techniques, then."
"I think that would be best," Sirius agreed, kissing her again.
"We should head back," Kate said when they broke the kiss. "Lily and her parents will be along soon and we don't want to make them wait for us."
Sirius kissed her cheek gently before stepping back. His expression reflected the return of some of his anxiety from earlier that morning, but not all, as Kate was gratified to see.
"It will be fine," she assured him as they walked, hand-in-hand, toward the street.
"I hope so, Katie," Sirius replied, squeezing her fingers. "I really hope so."
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At precisely noon, a large, cheerful red station wagon pulled up in front of the Morgan's house and Lily skipped gracefully up the steps to the front door while her father opened the back of the vehicle. A moment later, the door opened and Kate and Lily were hugging each other in greeting.
"Hello, Sirius," Lily said, giving the wizard a brief hug. "I'm happy to see you."
Sirius' eyebrows rose in surprise, but he returned the redhead's hug and smiled. "Thanks, Lily; good to see you, too." Tossing a confused look at Kate, he picked up her suitcase and his backpack and headed for the car. "I'll load this stuff and meet you outside, Kate," he tossed over his shoulder.
Lily waited until he was out of earshot. "How is he? He looks thin to me."
Kate smiled. "You sound like Goldie; she's been leaving plates of biscuits on his bed stand at night and literally piling food on his plate since he arrived." Kate's face and voice grew more serious as she added, "I think his appetite has fallen victim to everything that's happened over the past few months. He eats, but not with his previous enthusiasm. As far as how he's doing this morning is concerned – he's nervous; exactly as you'd expect him to be. How's James?"
"Nervous." Lily looked frankly at her friend. "Quite nervous from the sound of him." She walked over to the door and glanced down to the car where Sirius was standing awkwardly next to the open hatch. "I'd better get down there and make sure they've all been introduced. Are you coming?"
Kate nodded. "Just let me say goodbye to Goldie and I'll be right down."
A short while later, Kate was standing beside Sirius, being introduced to Lily's parents. Kate liked them instantly; they were kind, friendly people who were obviously very proud of their daughter and quite interested in her friends who shared a lifestyle and a gift that they did not quite understand.
As the three teenagers settled into the backseat of the car, Kate immediately commented at its spaciousness. Lily explained that Mr. Potter had obtained permission to magically enlarge the interior of the Evans' car to permit comfortable transport of Lily's friends to Brighton. The young witch laughed when recounting the expression on her sister Petunia's face when she heard what had been done. "She absolutely refused to come with us today," Lily told them. "I think she was afraid that some of the magic would jump off the upholstery and attach itself to her!"
Sirius recalled the long-faced, rather bony girl who seemed a very unlikely sister to the vivacious and attractive Lily. On the two occasions when Sirius had interacted with Petunia, he was struck by her acid tongue and obvious dislike for her sister and all things connected to the magical world. He was certain he heard Petunia whisper the word, "Freak!" as Lily had walked away from her at King's Cross Station one September.
Kate was situated between Lily and Sirius and chatted amiably with Lily and her mother as the car soon made its way out of London proper. Sirius focused on the window, watching as the bustle of the congested city gave way to the more pastoral images of the country. The conversation amongst the various occupants of the car receded to a gentle hum as Sirius endeavored to keep his thoughts from wandering beyond the English countryside slipping quickly past the window.
Roughly thirty minutes into the trip, Sirius felt Kate's hand slide into his where it rested between them on the leather seat. He gripped it tightly, releasing a bit of the pressure when he heard a slight hiss escape her lips. Sorry, Katie. He rubbed her knuckles with his thumb and felt her squeeze his fingers in response.
"Whereabouts are the Potters staying in Brighton?" Mrs. Evans asked after a time.
"Oh, we're not really staying in Brighton," she replied. "Brighton's about 10 minutes on. The Potters have always taken a house in East Sussex, just down from Peacehaven Beach. James said that this year his father finally struck a bargain with the couple who owned it and they've bought it outright!"
Sirius thought back to the previous summers and the weeklong adventures he'd had with James and his family and he was happy that they had managed to buy their summer holiday "home" of so many years. The house was wonderful – large and airy with a great deal of light. One could walk to Brighton Beach, the Pier and any number of restaurants and shops or simply stay put on the shingled beach at Peacehaven undercliff. He found himself looking forward to the sort of solitude that could be found hunkered down at the undercliff.
"You're quiet," Kate whispered as Lily chatted with her parents.
Sirius squeezed her hand again gently and nodded. "We're getting closer; I'm not sure what's going to happen."
Kate leaned against him for a moment. "Listen, I totally expect that things will work themselves out for you and James; even if they don't, and you don't want to stay, we have a place to go."
Sirius pulled back and looked down at her. "'We'?"
Kate nodded firmly. "Yes. If you go, then I go. We'll just tell Dumbledore we're a packaged deal. I'll send an owl to my mother to confirm it, but she knew that this would be my plan if something went wrong. Don't worry, Sirius; you're not alone."
Sirius blinked rapidly and Kate heard him swallow. With a small smile of acknowledgment, Sirius turned back to the window.
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"Here you are at last!" Margaret Potter came out onto the slate walkway and down the steps to greet the Evans. "Hal, James, the Evans are here," she called over her shoulder.
Margaret Potter was a handsome woman, albeit a bit older than the parents of her son's contemporaries. She and her husband had despaired of having children until some twenty years into their marriage, when Margaret had become pregnant with James. Although she and Hal were thrilled when James arrived, they were determined to raise him without undue spoiling and they had succeeded admirably. The Potters were very well to do, having inherited family wealth from both sides in addition to Hal's salary as head of the Magical Law Enforcement Department at the Ministry. The couple was regarded as warm, outgoing and completely without pretense, purebloods with none of the Dark connotations or prejudices.
"Lily," Margaret hugged her son's girlfriend first then greeted the Evans warmly. Once she had done so, Lily introduced her to Kate, who also received a hug from her hostess. Having succeeded in rousing her husband and son, Margaret advised James that he could complete the introductions then take everyone inside for some iced tea on the shaded deck overlooking the ocean. Other than a brief glance in Sirius' direction, James made no contact with the other boy, something that did not escape his mother's notice. Once Margaret heard the door close above her, she turned her attention to Sirius, holding out her arms to him. He hesitated for only a moment before walking into her embrace.
"Sweetheart," she said quietly. "You've had rather a bad time of it, haven't you? And you've lost weight! No matter; you're home now. We'll soon put you right."
Sirius stood, allowing his friend's mother to hold him while he fought his emotions back down for the second time since beginning the journey earlier in the day. "I've done something stupid," he mumbled against Margaret's shoulder. "James doesn't … he won't …" His voice trailed off, uncertain how to explain the events of the last term to her.
"It doesn't matter; we all do stupid things. It's human nature. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we learn from them and try very hard not to make them again, isn't it? Don't worry too much about James. He's stubborn, like his father, but things will soon be back to normal. He loves you, Sirius; you're like a brother to him – and brothers fight every now and again. Once you have the chance to talk it all out, I'm sure things will be fine," Margaret's voice was soothing and she rubbed small circles on his back as she spoke, endeavoring to stop the trembling that had begun when she'd first hugged him.
Sirius nodded and loosened his hold round her waist. Margaret stepped back, then moved to stand next to him, putting her arm around his waist and leading him toward the front steps. "Let's go and join the others, shall we? I want to chat with this girlfriend of yours. I hear that she's special to you."
Sirius nodded. "Very special."
"Then she will be special to us, as well."
XXXXXXXX
When Margaret Potter and Sirius stepped out onto the deck, the young wizard immediately glanced around the deck for Kate. He found her sitting in a shaded corner, chatting with Mr. Potter, glass of iced tea untouched on the tray before her.
Lily and her parents were leaning over the rail of the deck, Lily pointing at something going on a distance down the beach. Margaret gave his arm a squeeze then joined Lily, pouring herself a glass of tea and falling into conversation with Mrs. Evans.
Clever, Sirius thought to himself. Not terribly subtle, but certainly clever. James was standing off by himself and Sirius was somewhat disconcerted to realize that he was watching him intently. In for a penny, in for a pound. Sirius walked over to his friend.
"Thanks for letting me come," he said, gazing over James' shoulder at the ocean behind him. "I didn't expect it."
"Mum and Dad suggested it. They thought it would be more fun for Lily and me if there were more people our own age here, as well," James said quietly. While there was no hostility in his voice, there was no real welcome either.
Sirius nodded. "Right. Well, I guess I'll go and say hello to your father, then." And he was gone, walking toward Hal and Kate without another word.
James watched him go, filled with conflicting thoughts and emotions. He was still angry at Sirius' stupidity and everything that had happened with and as a result of 'the Prank'. He also greatly missed his friend, hated that he had moved out of their dorm, refused to eat with them or sit with them in class. Most of all, he was angry that Sirius had not contacted him the night he had left Grimmauld Place for the last time. James knew that anger to be irrational; why would Sirius think James would take him in after everything that had happened with them all? But I would have taken him in, James thought to himself. Taken him in and made sure he was ok. We would have fought and yelled but we would have worked it out. James looked over at Sirius, seated next to his father and listening to the conversation between Hal and Kate. You never gave me the chance. The annoying inner voice that had become James' companion of late pushed its way forward. And how was he to know that? After all, there was fighting and yelling, but you really didn't attempt to work it out with him, did you? And all of his apologies were met with hostility, weren't they? James felt the familiar irritation rise as he argued both sides of the issue. He betrayed Remus. He betrayed us … me – alright, he betrayed me. What was I supposed to do? Just walk away from that? Forgive him? He tore the Marauders apart with what he did. James shook his head as that damnable voice piped up again. But he tried to put things right and you refused to talk with him. But he moved out of the dorm! It's not too difficult to understand why he did, is it? James' focus on Sirius intensified and Sirius must have felt James' stare because he looked up and caught the other boy's eye. Sirius lifted his chin and returned James' look, his own defiant. Right; let's go. But before James could do anything, his mother was walking toward the sliding glass doors with Lily and her parents in tow.
"My parents are leaving, James," Lily said, taking his hand. Hal joined the group, leaving Kate and Sirius alone on the deck.
"Katie, I think I'll go for a run. It's my first real chance since term ended and …" Sirius paused, looking out at the ocean.
"And you need to sort things out," Kate finished. "I think it's a good idea, actually. I'll let the others know."
Sirius leaned down and kissed her gently. "Thank you. I promise I won't be long."
Kate smiled. "Go; work off some nerves." She moved back to her place in the corner of the deck, watching as he stripped off his shirt, tied it 'round his waist and began to jog along the sandy bicycle path that ran parallel to the beach. Gradually, he picked up speed and by the time James and Lily returned to the deck, Sirius was a small figure in the distance.
"Where is Sirius?" Lily asked Kate, looking around the deck as if the other wizard were hiding in a corner.
"He went running," Kate replied. "First time since term ended. I think he's missed it."
"He does a lot of that," James put in mildly. "Running away."
Kate turned toward James, her eyes flashing. "James, I am aware that I am a guest in your home and, as such, I'm going to try to be as polite as possible. You have no idea what Sirius has gone through in the past few weeks and little idea what the last two months have done to him. You would do well to be cautious of what you say about Sirius in front of me, James." She rose and walked toward the sliding door. As Kate passed him, James reached out and gently caught her arm.
"I'm sorry, Kate," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to upset you."
"I know that, James," she replied. "But I'm not the one you should be talking with, am I?"
"He betrayed us, Kate," James said. "All of us."
Kate sighed. "You know something, James? I'm getting pretty sick of hearing that. Yes, I know what Sirius did, and it was terrible. I also know that he's sick over it, and that he carries it with him every single day – just as he carries the knowledge that you all hate him now, because that's what he thinks. Imagine how you would feel if it were Remus, Sirius and Peter standing against you…and none of them would give you a chance to explain. That's where he is with this and the part that makes me sick is that none of you can think for yourselves. It's all about what he did to all of you. That's hardly fair to him, James. Each of you had your own relationship with him and it is to each of those individual relationships that repairs are needed. If you can see your way clear to do that, then the group – the precious Marauders – will be repaired as a consequence." Kate shook her head, "Listen, I'm going to unpack. I'll see you both later on." She gently tugged her arm free from James' grasp and walked inside the house.
After the door had slid closed, James walked over to the deck rail and leaned against it heavily, gaze fixed on the beach below. "I don't know what to do, Lils," he said softly. "I'm just so angry at him for what he did. We were friends – brothers – for five years and he betrayed it all over Snape. He betrayed all of us."
Lily came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist, resting her chin on his shoulder. "You didn't listen to a thing Kate said, did you? You have a right to be angry with him. You, James. You can't be angry with him on anyone else's behalf when you decide whether or not you're ever going to forgive him. Remus is a big boy; his anger with Sirius is his own and he's got to work through it himself. Sirius will have to face Remus without you – or Peter. He has to repair that friendship. What's down to you is whether what he meant to you is more important to you than what he did to you. If his friendship – if Sirius – is worth something to you then you have to figure out a way to forgive him. I don't have all the answers, but you've got to figure something out. The two of you are sharing a room for the next two weeks. At the very least, you have to figure out how to cohabitate without ruining the holiday for the rest of us."
James turned in her arms and put his hands on her shoulders. "You mean you and I aren't sharing a room? You know, the set up of this house would make that pretty easy. Mum and Dad are all the way downstairs in the Master Suite; the four of us are all the way upstairs in a completely opposite wing. I rather thought we'd switch off after they'd retired for the night." He waggled his eyebrows at her suggestively.
Lily leaned up and kissed James' cheek before stepping neatly away from his embrace. "I rather think you're quite out of your mind, Mr. Potter. I'm bunking in with Kate, thanks very much. You – and Mr. Black – will have sufficient time to resolve your differences – or come to some kind of closure if you can't fix things."
James' face fell and Lily was struck by the sadness in his eyes. "What if we really can't come to terms, Lils? What then?"
Lily squeezed his arm. "We'll worry about that if and when we come to it."
XXXXXXXX
Kate had just slid her empty suitcase beneath her bed when she heard a soft knock on her door.
"Are you decent?"
Kate smiled. "Come in, Lily."
The redhead entered and closed the door behind her.
"How's James?" Kate asked.
"I left him to ponder," Lily replied, sitting down on the edge of Kate's bed. "You know, I used to think James was so transparent; this whole mess has proven that theory wrong." She looked up at her friend. "I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen."
Kate sank down on the bed. "Nor do I. They're both angry over what happened and frightened about what it will all mean. I will tell you this, however; Sirius won't stay if James can't forgive him or if it appears that James isn't willing to even talk with him. He'll leave for certain and, Lily, I'll go with him. I won't let him be alone in this."
Lily's eyebrows rose impressively. "But your mother thinks you're going to be here for two weeks. She won't think much of you gallivanting off with Sirius – unchaperoned!"
Kate smiled. "She and I spoke of the possibility before she left on holiday. I believe she also spoke with Mrs. Potter. Trust me; if he goes, so will I. And we'll have plenty of chaperones, believe me!"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Are you going to tell me where this sanctuary of yours is located or are you going to leave me hanging?"
"As tempting as it is to withhold information, I'll tell you. Dumbledore knows all that happened to Sirius, as you know. He's told him that he can return to school for the remainder of the summer holiday if need be," Kate said.
Lily nodded. "Makes sense, but you won't be leaving – either of you! If James doesn't talk to him and Sirius tries to leave, there's one other person who will undoubtedly step in and force their hands. Never underestimate Margaret Potter, Kate. She loves Sirius like her own son and she hates what he's been through. She normally doesn't interfere in things concerning James and his friends, but this is different. Mrs. Potter will step in and make sure that they at least hash it all out. If they walk away from each other afterward, she won't push, but she'll damned well make sure they talk." Lily glanced at her watch. "Come on; let's go downstairs and see if Mrs. Potter wants help with dinner."
Kate nodded, somewhat relieved that there was another person – and an adult in the bargain – who could see things from their perspective. I knew I liked James' mother for a reason.
XXXXXXXX
Tired and in definite need of a shower, Sirius was walking the last distance back to the Potters' as part of his 'cool down' process. He'd been gone for well over an hour and he felt more settled than he had when he'd left. He was still apprehensive of contact with James, but he'd resolved that whatever was going to happen would happen and the only real control he had over any of it was how he would react. Having an early return to Hogwarts as an option was a great relief; if he felt he had to retreat, he had a place to go.
Hopefully, it won't come to that. Hopefully, Jamie … James will want to work it all out.
The large white house came into view and Sirius quickened his steps. Suddenly, a warm shower and a cool glass of iced tea were extremely appealing. As he half walked, half jogged up to the steps, Sirius' glance fell on the deck – and met James'. Ignoring the flip of his stomach, he climbed up the deck stairs and found James standing there, waiting.
"James," Sirius nodded, coming to a halt a few feet from the other boy.
"Sirius."
He was struck by just how rarely James had used his given name once Padfoot had arrived. Sirius couldn't recall the last time James had called him by that affectionate nickname. That belonged to the Marauders. And I no longer do.
"I thought I'd head up to the shower," Sirius said – an effort to fill the silence that had fallen uncomfortably between them.
"Right." James nodded. "I'll let you get to it, then."
Thereby dismissed, Sirius turned and walked into the house, leaving James wondering at his own inability to have a normal conversation with someone he'd considered his best friend for better than five years.
Upstairs, Sirius stripped off his clothing and headed for the shower – with the same question echoing in his own mind.
