Sirius gaped at her as Harry extended a little Michelin-man arm towards him, squealing as he noticed his godfather was in grabbing distance. James allowed him to wriggle free and cruise along the ottoman toward Sirius, flashing him a gummy smile.
Lily smiled softly at Harry and his innocence to the thick tension in the room. Sirius released the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding as Harry began babbling and launched himself soundly into Sirius's legs. Sirius scrubbed his face before snatching Harry by the middle and lifting him in the air to the baby's great delight.
Allowing the happy tyke on his lap to afford him some strength, Sirius regarded Lily, his raised eyebrow signaling her to continue.
Lily pursed her lips before speaking. "There are only ever one or two Knowers alive at once. I knew nearly when you carried Emma inside that she was a Knower like me. We, er Knowers that is, we're supposed to have a way of finding each other. Though I hadn't expected to find her so soon in life. It's rare, you see?" Lily said, tugging on a loose string in her sweater.
"But what does that--" Sirius began but James silenced him with a firm look, his eyes darting to Lily in an expression that clearly meant, "just listen".
Lily continued, flopping wearily onto the sofa as the roast floated itself into the oven. "Usually, Bonding magic isn't rushed. In fact, weaving the first thread is often a matter of great ceremony, planned and all, for an occasion celebrated with friends and family at ... at a wedding." Lily cast James a brief, meaningful smile, great affection in her features.
Sirius was suddenly struck with the memory of faint golden light surrounding their clasped hands as Lily and James declared their wedding vows. His head swiveled between them, slightly dazed. Lily nodded at Sirius, her eyes bright. He sank deeper into his seat as Harry pumped his legs from his lap. The significance of his Bond with Emma washed over him, the sensation not unlike disillusionment, an egg cracking over his head and seeping down over his body. The strangest part was that he ... he felt thrilled. Sirius gazed at Lily, his blood thrumming in his veins.
She grinned briefly at him. "Yes it's ... yes. But magic chose to speed the process for you both a bit, Sirius. The Bond between you and Emma, it's no less deep, no less intentional as well, as wedding vows. You both had to be fully committed, fully prepared to trust and protect one another for the rest of your lives or the magic wouldn't have taken."
Sirius's breath hitched and he felt tears well. "Is she ... are you saying Emma is ... she's my wife?" Sirius choked out, delighted and aching for Emma simultaneously.
"She's as good as, as far as magic and the Spirit is concerned," Lily intoned, her sharp green eyes shining. James was grinning at him, though his eyes were also sad.
Sirius nodded to himself. The thought that he loved her flashed through his mind and he sucked in a shuddering breath. "Lily, Prongs, how do I ... how can I see her again?" he exhaled.
Lily spoke, her expression far too sober for Sirius's liking. "Sirius, she is finding her way to you now. The second thread of the Bond, the string that ties you both physically is forming, steadying her in time, transporting her to where she is meant to be. The Bond and her magic knows, knows where she is meant to be, when she is meant to be. Apparently, that isn't now, but Sirius, whenever she is, it is with you."
"How long?" was the only response Sirius could muster, not sure he truly wanted the answer. Lily had retrieved Harry as he began to fuss, scrunching up his little face in frustration. She settled him in her arms to nurse before looking at Sirius, her eyes regretful.
"I don't know yet, Sirius, which means ..." she hesitated, "which means it may be a while, a few years. I'll be able to sense when the time is closer. But don't ... Sirius, the Bond always has a way keeping you both together. She is ... she's still with you now, in a way."
Sirius exhaled heavily. James was grasping him on the shoulder. He focused on him, on the familiar lines of his face, the strength in his grip. "I've lost them, Prongs," Sirius said, his voice hollow.
"No," he replied, "You haven't lost them. They've just stepped off the path we're on for a moment. They'll find their way back."
Lily shook her head, her gaze focused on a spot near the front door. Her foot tapped the floor idly as she pursed her lips. "Neither Emma or Regulus are lost to us, but Regulus ... he's close to us now, very close."
"Darling?" James questioned, angling his tall frame toward Lily as he lightly stroked Harry's back as he suckled. But her eyes were still fixed on the door, brows furrowed in concentration.
She hummed before raising her wand, charming the door open. "Have you been here long?" she called to the porch, still seated with Harry in her arms. There was no figure in the doorway but Lily was unperturbed. She ignored James who was now standing with his wand aloft except for a small shake of her head and called out once more. "Regulus, you've taken quite the long way round just to hide on the porch, honestly. Come inside."
Sirius found himself sprinting toward the doorway when he spotted his brother's silhouette. They both froze, inches from one another as Regulus crossed the threshold and closed the door. Sirius raised his arm tentatively as if it to embrace his brother, but his hand fell to his side as if of its own accord. Sirius, instead, took a moment to examine Regulus.
He was wearing the same silk, well-tailored robes Sirius had seen him in earlier, but they were now singed and tattered. Sirius could see a rough slice of skin, matted with dried blood and dirt through a hole in the fabric on his chest. His face was streaked with grime, his fingernails caked with dark earth. But his steel eyes were bright and patches of healthy rose on his cheekbones colored his pale face. Regulus shifted balance from side to side nervously before murmuring, "We, erm, we need to talk."