I apologize if my explanation of post owls diverges from canon, but I have always been curious as to how exactly Harry was able to find Sirius with Hedwig when the ministry couldn't. I also wasn't sure why wizards would put addresses on their envelopes to such a specific extent (as with Harry's school letter), so I decided to play around with my interpretation of the workings of post owl magic. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Please leave a comment with your thoughts!

On their first night home, Sirius and James enjoyed a delicious helping of Mrs. Potter's Shepard's pie, which she had learned was Sirius' favorite and insisted on whipping up for him at least twice a week. She did make some treacle tart for James as well anticipating his complaints. Sirius tipped his chair back and got scolded and reveled in the pleasure of being a part of a family. They laughed at Mr. Potter's stories of drama at the ministry. Apparently, Thaddeus Finch had a tendency of shoving dungbombs in people's desks when bored. Sirius laughed so hard after this story that he fell back, only saved from cracking his head open by quick thinking from Mrs. Potter who cast a nonverbal Wingardium Leviosa to keep his chair aloft.

"I believe I told you to keep your chair on the floor for a reason Sirius Black." She said, crossly as James began to choke on tart in his own laughing fit.

The boys were finally sent up to bed following an evening spent drinking Mr. Potter's fine whiskey and regaling him and James' mother with tales of their exploits. By the next morning, the boys had settled into their usual routine: quidditch and roaming James' land in their animagus forms.

A few weeks after their return, James sought out his father alone, to avoid Sirius' nosy snout butting in.

"Hey Dad," James said.

His father was sipping on a cup of coffee in his office, reading some notes on the latest sales of his haircare empire, and scribbling his replies in the margins with a battered old quill. Nevertheless, the moment his son entered the room he set aside his work and smiled with his brilliantly white, magically enhanced teeth.

"What can I do for you son?"

"I was thinking about what you said last year."

Mr. Potter nodded, folding his hands, and sitting back in a way that made James think of Dumbledore at his own desk, the main difference being that James felt no fear in this man's presence.

He felt no need to be anything but himself, and that confidence spurred him forward as he stumbled out: "I was maybe thinking about writing to that girl, Lily Evans, you know? We were together on the platform, and we've been hanging out more, and I was just wondering…"

He paused for a moment, but Fleamont had learned patience in his advancing age. Having a son like James Potter didn't hurt in that department.

"I was wondering if you could help. I don't want to sound arrogant like we talked about."

James had never seen his father beam in such a way, and that convinced him he had said the right thing. He didn't move from behind his desk, looking upon the young man before him with such pride that James couldn't help but avoid his eyes in embarrassment.

"I'd be glad to help son." Fleamont said, setting aside his work completely and dragging a chair from the corner to the spot next to him with a wave of his wand. "Have a seat."

Over the next half-hour the Potter boys came up with a letter that they thought was acceptable. Sirius caught wind when James didn't meet him on the pitch after breakfast, and he wandered into the office, looking over James' shoulder and offering his own uncouth suggestions which were largely ignored. He finally asked if he could add something of his own to the envelope in exchange for the address where Lily was living.

"You have her address?" James said, surprised.

"Course I do. She actually likes me, remember?" Sirius said, reveling in James' furious pout and Fleamont's uproarious laughter.

The magic of post owls worked in general like a locator beacon. Certain powerful wizards can project their beacon to a specific owl so they can be found even when in hiding. However, most people simply provide their address to a chosen few and once the owl gets close enough, they can track the person to their exact location. If an address is unavailable, the owl would travel to the central post office in London and a message would be sent to the desired recipient informing them of the sender's desire to contact them. Lily could therefore deny a letter from the post if she didn't know or desire the sender (like calling collect in Muggle terms). However, she gave the boys her address, evidently trusting them to not bombard her with prank messages. James almost couldn't believe it.

"Speaking of letters, you ready?" Sirius said, dressed in his best robes and with an air of practiced indifference that James saw right through.

"Where are you boys off to then?" Fleamont asked.

"We're visiting Sirius' cousin Andromeda." James spoke up.

Sirius nodded, although his smile was far more masked than usual. Andromeda had written back without delay, saying:

So glad to hear that Sirius. You'll have to regale me with the tale of your dastardly escape over tea! Of course, you're welcome here anytime. How does June 28th around midday sound? Write back as soon as you know, and until then enjoy your first corruption of my little girl.

Andy

A picture of Tonks looking remarkably like Sirius had been included in the envelope. Sirius had felt his heart pounding as he recognized the sharp features and haughty expression. Rather than seeing himself, he was only able to see Regulus' appearance reflected in the small face.

As the boys moved towards the fireplace, preparing to floo to Andromeda and Ted's home in the country, Mr. and Mrs. Potter couldn't help noticing their adoptive son's sweaty palms and carefully combed hair. Mrs. Potter grabbed Sirius lightly by the shoulder, and he turned to face her.

"It's going to be fine, Sirius. Just be yourself." Mrs. Potter said, caressing his cheek as he tried not to wince.

Sirius felt his mask cracking, but that wouldn't do, so he nodded in acknowledgement before turning to James and saying, "Come on Prongs, we don't want to be late."

The boys each grabbed a handful of floo powder and hopped into the fireplace one at a time, reciting Andromeda's address carefully. Mr. and Mrs. Potter held each other close as they watched their boys head off.

Lily had spent her first few weeks of summer in a state of misery trying her best to enjoy the time off while listening to Petunia's endless ramblings about good sense and making the most of her holidays. She wrote all the girls in Gryffindor and even a friend of hers in Ravenclaw, looking desperately for a way out. Unfortunately, her friends were busy for most of June; they were either traveling or told that Lily was welcome later in the summer after some family time. Lily was disappointed that even Marlene was unable to jailbreak her as soon as they'd hoped, her parents sweeping her off on a surprise trip to the French riviera in celebration of her excellent marks that year.

Lily was fed up with family time herself, having met her sister's fiancée Vernon the other day. He had come over for dinner, and Lily was thoroughly unimpressed although she didn't say so.

"This is Lily, my sister." Petunia introduced them, glaring at Lily as if she would apparate in and out just to show Vernon she could and send him running. Lily didn't mention that she had told Petunia a hundred times that this would break the statute of secrecy, and she would never threaten her sister's relationship besides.

"Pleasure," Lily said, shaking Vernon's hand firmly.

He was a tall man with a thick mustache and the beginnings of a gut extending past his waistband. His eyes had a permanent suspicion to them, and Lily felt a desire to sit up straight and talk properly whenever his gaze was upon her. As they sat down at Petunia's little kitchen table, Vernon towering over the smaller girls, the prodding started.

"So, Petunia says you go to the Rodean school." Vernon said.

Lily nodded; not sure what Petunia would consider an appropriate reply. Vernon didn't seem to mind; Lily noticed that he loved hearing the sound of his own voice.

"My sister Marge went there as well, fine institution. What are you planning on pursuing afterward? She works with dog breeding at the moment. I could also get you a fine secretary position at Grunnings if you're interested."

"I was actually…" Lily noted Petunia's fixed glare and realized her sister wouldn't be too happy about her little sister giving away her lack of future plans. "I was looking into nursing." She said, figuring that was an adequate response and healing was an arena she excelled in.

"A fine career that. Plenty of young bachelors in medicine." Vernon replied, and Lily turned up her nose at the idea of going into a profession just for the sake of meeting a husband.

The remainder of the dinner went similarly, Petunia gazing lovingly at Vernon while he rambled on about business and Lily picked at the roast that her older sister had prepared.

"Lily, would you mind giving Vernon and I some time alone?" Petunia asked pointedly after dessert, and Lily politely excused herself to hide in Petunia's bedroom until the giggles subsided and the sound of a slamming door mercifully brought Lily out of her cave.

"So, what did you think?" Petunia asked, wringing her hands as Lily tried her best to smile convincingly.

"He's perfect for you, Tuney. Congratulations." Lily was never good at lying, so she settled on something she believed to be true.

Vernon and Petunia certainly made a good couple, although Lily knew she would never be interested in a man that boring in a million years.

Petunia seemed satisfied though, hugging Lily tightly before checking her watch and going back to her scolding: "We should really be getting to bed."

Lily had nodded then and begun preparing for the mercy of an evening's rest. Sleep was the only place where she found herself free from Petunia's naggings, so she eagerly took to it when Petunia brought it up each evening.

The days were growing longer as she found herself trapped alone with no one to break up the squabbles that constantly sprung up between herself and her sister. Lily had never imagined when Sirius had suggested she come around that summer that Potter's place might actually become preferable to Petunia's flat. However, Lily found that her current living situation was quickly growing unbearable, so when James Potter's owl arrived on her sister's window ledge, Lily ignored Petunia's loud protests allowing the handsome bird to flutter through the window and onto the end table. She removed the letter carefully from its leg and shooed it away as quickly as it had arrived hoping she might calm Petunia's increasingly unpleasant demeanor.

"I'm sorry Tuney, but this is how we communicate. The owls are well-trained, I promise." Lily insisted.

Petunia huffed and left the room. Lily was glad because it meant she was able to tear open the letter in peace. She was surprised to find two pieces of parchment inside the envelope, the longer one from James Potter no less. It read:

Dear Lily,

I hope you're doing well. I don't know exactly what prompted this letter; I guess I was just thinking about you after our parting at King's Cross and wanted to make sure everything was going ok. I know how hard the summers can be when you don't have the right support around you. I also know you've got friends in spades and certainly don't need this dumb bloke bothering you, but I just figured if you ever do need anything and you're maybe afraid to ask, well, you and I both know I'm in no position to judge. Feel free to throw this letter in the bin, but if you do need a helping hand, you've got one more in the Potter clan.

Sincerely,

James

Oi Evans,

The offer stands. Come round anytime.

-Sirius

While Lily was considering the implications of spending a few days with James Potter in order to avoid her sister, the aforementioned boy and his best friend were arriving at tea with Andromeda. The older woman smiled at the boys as they flooed into her living room, drying her hands on a dish rag as she walked in from the adjacent kitchen. Sirius stiffened at the sight of her, and James slapped him on the back so hard that the nervous boy stumbled forward. Andromeda chuckled lightly, putting some of Sirius' fears at ease.

"Make yourselves at home boys, I'll be out in a minute."

She said, going back into the kitchen as Sirius and James got settled on opposite ends of a couch covered in floral patterns. Sirius noted some strange oddities throughout the home, including several toys littering the floor (a mark of Andromeda's child no doubt), a wardrobe full of odd knickknacks that he longed to examine, and the strangest thing of all: a television. Sirius recalled that Andromeda had married a muggle, hence her subsequent banishment. Still, to have such a blatant muggle object, along with such a disorganized mishmash of items, in a home belonging to a member of the House of Black was baffling to say the least.

Andromeda returned quickly, setting a tray of tea and biscuits on the coffee table at the center of the room. Her beauty impressed James, who noted some similarities to his best friend as well as softer features that gave her a more feminine appeal. Meanwhile, Sirius was further surprised to see Andromeda in not only casual ware, but muggle dress in fact. Her hair was tied loosely in a bun, and she wore a jumper and a pair of jeans. Every Sunday tea he had attended with his family had required the utmost decorum, hence his insistence that both he and James wear dress robes. He suddenly felt quite out of place, shuffling in his opulent dress. James didn't seem bothered, as was his way.

"Unfortunately, Ted has to be in the office today, so he couldn't join us."

Andromeda said, taking a seat in a chair to the left of the couch and helping herself to a biscuit.

When Sirius found himself unable to come up with words, James took the lead.

"Not a problem at all. We'd love to meet him next time."

Sirius winced at the presumptuous nature of the statement, but Andromeda smiled, and his worry eased a bit.

"So, Andy, how have things-"

"Sirius?" A child's voice interrupted the dreaded small talk and Sirius turned to see his baby cousin for the first time.

A little girl stood at the entrance to the living room, her hair worn today in dark curls, tugging on the collar of a white cotton dress with red silk wrapped around the middle. Her smile lit up the room as her hair unconsciously shifted to an electric pink that clashed beautifully with the red sash.

Sirius stood to approach the child, with James following close behind, curious about the new arrival.

"You must be Nymphadora," Sirius said.

Sirius kneeled down to her level as she wrinkled her nose but didn't correct him. Sirius was observant though, and he nodded at her obvious discomfort.

"I'm sorry, Andy comes from a family of terrible namers. They actually thought it was a good idea to call me Sirius," he said, and Tonks giggled. "What do you like to be called?"

She hesitated, glancing at her mother, who rolled her eyes but nodded.

"I like Tonks, but my daddy calls me Dora which I don't mind too much." She replied.

"Well, I'm good with Tonks. It's the last name that got you away from the Blacks after all." He glanced at Andromeda who was looking sadder than he had expected.

"Sorry, Andy, I know it's a touchy subject."

He said, standing back up as his cousin shifted uncomfortably.

"No, it's not that. Something's happened since I last wrote you Sirius, something I thought better to discuss in person."

Appearing restless, Andromeda moved to the spot on the couch that James had vacated. Sirius moved to join her, pausing apprehensively before Andromeda nodded to him, and he took the seat next to her.

"So, what's going on Andy?" He said, the two of them looking awkward and uncertain as James continued to talk with Tonks in the background.

Andromeda was not normally one to mince words, and as she continued to hesitate Sirius grew pale as he considered the possibilities. They mostly involved the Death Eaters coming for him or the Potters or even Regulus, or worse still, Regulus already lying lifeless in a ditch somewhere in the service of You-Know-Who.

"It's Uncle Alphard." Andromeda said, and Sirius relaxed a bit.

Anything but Regulus was fine by him.

"He's joined up? Or been kicked off the tree?" Sirius asked, trying to consider what would cause Andromeda's distress.

"He's dead Sirius." Andromeda did not hesitate this time. "Dragon pox, there's been a few outbreaks in London, and he was unlucky."

Sirius ran a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair, mussing it for the first time all morning.

"Well, that's," Sirius was no stranger to tragedy and although he cared for his Uncle Alphard he felt a lack of stabbing pain at the loss, more of a dull ache. "That's not good."

"No, it isn't," Andromeda said, seeming to understand Sirius perfectly.

She didn't hug him like in a normal family, they didn't cry together or talk about the good times. Instead, they remained seated side by side as Andromeda grabbed the clicker and threw on some mindless television program. They ate biscuits and drank tea, and James continued entertaining Tonks in order to give them their space. The child was sitting on the carpeted floor, clutching a doll in one hand, though her eyes remained on her mother's subdued gaze.

James was the closest adult in her vicinity, seated on the floor next to her feigning a casual air, so she asked him: "Who's Uncle Alphard?"

The question was innocent, uncertain, the beginnings of tears in her eyes for the loss of someone she didn't even know while her mother and cousin sat together as if their team had lost at quidditch.

"He was your mother's uncle. She didn't get to see him much, so it's a weird thing, not quite sad you know what I mean?" James asked, glancing at the little girl who didn't seem to understand.

He thought for a moment.

"It's like if your friend has a toy that you always love playing with when you see them, and you show up one day and the toy's gone. You ask, 'oh where'd it go' and they say 'oh well the dog chewed it up so we had to throw it out'. Would you be all that sad about that toy that wasn't really even yours to begin with?"

James had no idea where those words of wisdom had come from. He'd never spent much time around kids, but he just tried to consider what he knew at the age of four and what might make sense to him.

It seemed to work, as Tonks nodded and said, "I guess not."

She then shrugged, standing up and skipping off to what James assumed was her bedroom. She returned shortly after in cutoff jeans and a band T-shirt that hung well below her knees.

"Daddy says I'll grow into it," she said, and James smiled lightly.

Andromeda rolled her eyes as Sirius couldn't help but laugh at the precocious little girl.

"There's more," Andromeda said as the SOAP opera on screen continued to portray the dramatic life of some muggle who had been caught cheating on her husband.

"What's that?" Sirius asked, feeling exhausted although he didn't necessarily feel sad.

"Alphard's will, he left you and I quite a sum."

"He did?" Sirius asked, confusion evident in his voice.

"He actually left you a small fortune if you can believe it." Andromeda said, unable to keep the smile from her voice.

"You're kidding?"

The dull ache in Sirius transformed to an elation coupled with pride in his uncle's last act of defiance. Sirius' mother had never liked the old bachelor, especially the way he mentored Sirius in the ways of mischief. Finding out his last act had been one that had likely sent her reeling made Sirius feel tears prick his eyes for the first time that afternoon.

"You can go to the goblins to get it all sorted out."

Sirius nodded as Andromeda handed him a copy of a key, likely to Alphard's vault.

"They watch to see how much you take, mind, so don't go trying to sneak any extra. I don't want my baby cousin ending up in Azkaban."

Sirius chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll be good Andy. Thank you."

"You're welcome. The funeral's next week, so I suppose I'll see you there."

Sirius nodded, understanding that he and James were being dismissed.

The boys stood, walking back towards Andromeda's fireplace to floo back to James' estate.

"Don't be a stranger, yeah?" Andromeda said.

"I won't." Sirius said.

There was no tearful goodbye, no hug, just a nod of mutual understanding. Tonks hugged both boys goodbye, of course. James then entered the fireplace, flooing home as Tonks grabbed Sirius' arm before he could follow.

"Come back soon Sirius. I can show you my toys next time!" She said.

Sirius smiled down at the child, admiring the innocence within her, which he and Andromeda had lost at far too young an age.

"I'll visit again little one, don't worry." Sirius said, looking up at Andromeda hopefully.

He received no indication that he had said something inappropriate or undesired. His grin grew wide as he followed James into the green fire.

Meanwhile, things were coming to a head at Lily and Petunia's shared flat.

"Look, I'm not going to apologize every time I use magic. It's habit."

Lily said, after she'd used a nonverbal Accio to summon a book she'd left across the room.

"Well, you controlled it for six years, why can't you control it now?"

Petunia asked.

Lily didn't have an answer for the reason she was using her magic so often other than the fact that she wanted to. She was allowed to use magic outside of Hogwarts, finally, and she didn't want to give that up for another summer.

"I shouldn't have to control something that is part of me just because it makes you uncomfortable." Lily said, not intending to back down.

"If you're going to live under my roof then you're going to have to." Petunia said.

Lily felt her lip tremble, not believing that Petunia would kick her out if it came to it, but Petunia kept her face stoic although her hands shook at the words that had just left her mouth.

"Why are you so intent on being unhappy all the time?" Lily said.

Petunia paused, the question piercing her heart with the strength of a thousand hornet stings.

"How can I not be when you are constantly showing off? Making water appear out of thin air, summoning things across the room, it's not normal Lily. You're not normal."

Petunia bit back with her own darkness and Lily's eyes filled with tears.

"I can't stay here anymore." Lily brushed past Petunia to the cot where she'd been sleeping.

She gathered her things easily, having been living out of her trunk with no proper room in which to store her belongings.

"Lily, come on, what are you doing?" Petunia started, instantly regretting her harsh words as her sister prepared to leave.

"Look, I didn't mean it. Will you stop being so sensitive?"

She approached Lily, trying to grab her arm but was shoved off. Lily finished her packing, clicking the trunk shut and muttering a featherlight charm to help lift it. As she stood up, still not facing her sister, Petunia made one last attempt, saying in her most authoritative tone: "Lily, look at me."

"NO!" Lily said, her fury releasing an accidental shield spell, knocking Petunia off her feet as she looked up with poorly disguised fear at the raw power emanating off her little sister.

Lily finally turned around, ignoring Petunia's feeble protests as she bore down on her with all the anger built up over six years of taunts and jabs and holding everything inside.

"I'm done listening to you. I'm done trying to please you. You don't want me disrupting your perfect life, fine. I'm through trying to win you back. I'm sorry you don't have magic Petunia, but I'm not going to be bullied by you any longer. I'm leaving, and you can't stop me." She said this with her wand out, pointed vaguely towards Petunia although she didn't intend to use it.

It was enough, though, for Petunia to forget any amount of love she had felt mere moments ago.

"Fine, run out and live on the street with the other freaks from your world, but don't you dare come crying to me when they cast you out. You think people like that will take care of you, that you can depend on them? They're leeches on proper society, and they will throw you aside as soon as they've stripped you of everything of value, and then you will be all that's left."

Lily grabbed her trunk, choking back the tears, and turned to her sister fiercely.

"Even so, Petunia, that's alright with me. Anywhere's better than here." And so, Lily Evans left Petunia behind. Neither of them had the faintest idea how or if they would ever reconcile, but at that moment both sisters hardly cared with anger so raw and hurt so deep.

A knock on the Potters' door drew Mrs. Potter from the living room where she had been catching up on some reading. She wondered if it was James and Sirius, although it was still quite early, and they certainly would have used the floo besides. She couldn't fathom who else would be visiting at this hour without calling first, but the question was easily answered when she opened the door and saw a young girl of about seventeen with long, red hair and brilliant green eyes standing on her doorstep. Euphemia hadn't been on the platform this year, but Fleamont had regaled her with their son's budding romance, leaving out plenty of details, she was sure. With this knowledge in mind, Euphemia smiled sweetly down at the girl who grew incredibly flustered as if she didn't even realize where she was going until she had already arrived and deeply regretted it now that she was here.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I was looking for Sirius." The tears in her eyes didn't escape the kindly older woman's sharp gaze. "Or James, I just, I'm sorry."

"Are you alright, dear?" Mrs. Potter asked, already knowing the answer.

"It's not a big deal. I live with my sister, and we got in a fight. I'll just head home and sort it out." Lily said, although Mrs. Potter was an expert at reading children, and she saw easily through the lie dancing in Lily's eyes.

"Come on in, dear, I'll put on a pot of tea." Mrs. Potter said.

And that is the story of how the Potter family adopted two children in as many summers.