Hey again! :) Sorry that this took a while yet again, but I barely had time to write this week. Already warning you that chapter 24 will probably take a bit of time as well, sorry :/ But, I cannot say it often enough, the story WILL get finished! ;)

Thank you for the feedback! :)

WARNING: VERY tiny scene with some smacks.

"Good morning, my boy. How did you sleep?"

Tom smiled, slowly sitting up in his bed at Gryffindor's penthouse. He felt well rested and warm, having spent the whole day before resting, snuggling with Gryffindor and talking.

The Founder had informed him that Aurelius would come by today, and it was something Tom was dreading and welcoming at the same time. He had no idea how Aurelius would react to seeing him again after he had run away the other night.

"I slept well", he finally managed to answer, rubbing his head, "Aurelius...is he…still…"

"Yes, he is going to be here soon", Godric was still standing close to his bed, a warm smile on his face, "how about you get ready and then we'll have some breakfast?"

"Pancakes?"

Gryffindor had to laugh, the sound of it amusing, "again? You just had pancakes yesterday, Tommybear. I think for today you'll try some oatmeal."

"I don't…like oatmeal."

"How do you know that if you never tried it?"

"I just…know."

"Hmmm…and I know about a little boy who is going to eat his breakfast with a warm backside if he does not at least try his oatmeal this morning."

Tom blushed, knowing all too well Gryffindor never made empty threats, so he carefully climbed out of bed, avoiding to bring up the oatmeal again.

"Good boy."

His blush deepened, feeling a warm, happy sensation spreading inside him, the same feeling he always got when Gryffindor praised him.

I wanna be your good boy, Daddy.

"I know, sweet boy."

"Did you just…"

"I did", Godric sounded amused, "because I like being called Daddy by my sweet Tommybear."

"I…like calling you that", Tom whispered, "but…it's still…I don't…"

"I got time, Tommy", Gryffindor's voice was calm, "one day you will call me Daddy without even thinking about it- because that is who I am, hmm?"

"Yeah", a small smile was spreading across his lips now, "I…I…"

I love you.

"I love you too, Tommy. Let's get you ready, alright?"

Tom quickly nodded, grateful for the topic change, and then he made his way over to the luxurious bathroom, looking forward to a nice, hot shower- something he had missed out on for weeks while living in the old office building.

The breakfast was indeed oatmeal- but since it was covered with cinnamon and fruits, he had to admit that it was quite tasty.

While finishing his orange juice, there was suddenly a short, almost silent knock on the door.

Aurelius.

Tom bit his lips, putting down his glass. His anxiety was rising again, he knew very well he had made a bad decision by running off in the middle of the night, even though Gryffindor had not punished him for that.

He watched wordlessly how Gryffindor walked over to the door and opened it- and there he was, standing in the door, looking tired and subdued, Princess and Squirrel right behind him, slowly wagging their tails.

For a few seconds, they both stared at each other, and it started to dawn on Tom that Aurelius must have had a very uncomfortable night- he seemingly had slept in his clothes, and his hair was messy and unkept.

"Did…were you…"

Were you looking for me all night?

Aurelius smiled sadly, "I was looking for you yesterday, yes. I thought you…went back home, so I went to see your…your family", there was a hint of bitterness in his voice now upon saying that last word, "and…I am sorry. I am so very sorry, Tommy. I had no idea…"

Tom went pale.

"You…you met…them? You…were there?"

"I wish I never did, but yes, I met them", Aurelius had started to walk over to him, the dogs quietly following behind, sniffing with interest.

Tom lowered his head, his whole body had gotten tense. He hated the fact that Aurelius knew now that he had run away from his foster family, that he had lied to him, and he was certain they had told Aurelius some horrible things about him.

He knows I am a liar now.

"Tommy…do you remember what I said to you the other night? Before you fell asleep?"

He swallowed.

"Yes…that…you said…", Tom had to swallow again, staring at his feet, "that…you…you…", he could not say it out loud, too afraid he had dreamed their conversation after all.

"Tommy?"

"Ye…yeah?"

"Look at me."

He obeyed, slowly lifting up his head, his eyes filling with tears when he saw the loving smile on Aurelius' lips.

"I meant every word I said to you that evening, baby boy", his voice was kind, "you are my boy- and I am not going to let you go ever again. You are mine."

"I…but…I was…I did…"

"Shhh…it's all going to be okay, Tommybear…it's okay…"

He started to cry, and within seconds, Aurelius had picked him up and was holding him close, humming something, something soothing.

I am sorry.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Tommy. If there is one of us who should apologize, it is me", there was guilt in his tone now, "I was ignorant and cruel and selfish- and I should have paid attention to you, I should have realized you were working at that place because you had no choice- and instead of listening, I pushed you away…and I am sorry for that. I hope…you can forgive me for acting in such a selfish manner for the last weeks."

Tom had listened quietly, sniffing from time to time.

"I…forgive you", he eventually whispered, his head pressed into Aurelius' shoulder, "and…I am sorry for running away. I was just…I thought I could never be…who you wanted me to be."

"You already are who I want you to be, Tommy", Aurelius replied, his voice soft, "my sweet boy…my very sweet boy…"

Tom smiled through the tears in his eyes, and then Aurelius walked him over to the couch, sitting down with him and holding him close.

Gryffindor had been watching their interaction silently, knowing it was important to give them both this moment.

He also knew it was going to take quite some work to get the whole family back together- the relationship between him and Aurelius and Tom was strong, but he was still barely talking to Salazar, and then there was Sirius- and he had a feeling he would not welcome having to share his beloved Aurelius with someone else.

Another problem was Dumbledore- he was still up to no good, and even though he had destroyed the horcrux, he knew there were more, possibly hidden at Hogwarts or somewhere in Scotland.

He took another sip from his coffee, and then he decided to join his boys on the couch who were quietly talking now, bonding with each other.

"Thank you for bringing the dogs over, Aurelius", he began the conversation, "I will need you to go back there and get the rest of Tom's things today."

"Yes, Father", Aurelius did not comment on the fact that he just walked across town from there, he knew this was still part of his punishment- and he knew he deserved it.

"I am excusing you from classes for tomorrow- because I also would like you to go to Hogwarts tomorrow."

"For…Sirius, I am assuming."

"Yes. I believe it is time for me to meet your boy- and for him to meet Tom."

Tom had listened quietly, not liking the turn of this conversation. He had just gotten comfortable with Gryffindor and Aurelius, and now Gryffindor wanted to bring Aurelius' boy over?

I guess I am not enough, then.

"You are enough, Tommybear- please do not ever think you are not", Godric's voice was firm, because he needed his son to understand this, "you are part of this family now, Tommy- and so is Sirius. It is important that you boys develop a relationship with each other."

"I…already have a relationship with Relius", Tom mumbled, "he…he said he's gonna train me."

Gryffindor and Aurelius exchanged a glance, both knowing that this wouldn't be easy.

Sirius will be just as jealous.

I am aware- but we cannot keep them separate forever. At some point, Tom needs to go back to school, he already missed too many weeks of classes.

I agree, Father. It's just…how in the world do you want me to explain to Sirius that he has to share me with Tom now? Tom of all people?

Tell him the truth- that is the only way to do this.

So…tomorrow, when I go back to Hogwarts, you want me to talk to him?

Yes. Tell him where you have been the last few days and why, and then bring him here.

What if he refuses? Has a tantrum?

I would hope your boy is trained well enough to not throw tantrums anymore, Aurelius.

He is…but he is still only twelve years old, and this is going to be quite a shock for him.

I realize that, but for this to work, Sirius deserves to know the truth.

Aurelius sighed, absently stroking Tom's hair who had been snuggling into him quietly, enjoying the closeness.

He knew he had trained Sirius well- and they had developed a strong bond, but he knew deep down that the bond he was going to develop with Tom was going to be just as strong.

I knew you were going to be my boy one day…I knew it since that night in the dungeons…

He had to think back of that day, thinking of Tom crawling for him, screaming with pain and begging him…

Hurts, Relius.

Hurts, Relius.

Hurts, Relius…

He swallowed, knowing he had taken it too far that night. He had taken it too far with Sirius as well, and it was time he stepped up and was the big brother both of them needed and deserved. He would start by telling Sirius the truth- and then by helping his boys to develop a bond, their own unique bond that was separate from the bond they had with him.

"You are going to be my good boy, hmm?", he kept caressing Tom's hair, and the boy just nodded, leaning into the touch.

"Verbal answer, please", he instructed him calmly, setting up expectations from the very beginning, and Tom blinked at him, understanding.

"Yes, Aurelius. I am going to be good for you", Tom answered softly, and Aurelius thought to himself that he might had been wrong- that it might be easier to train Tom than it had been to train Sirius.

"Good boy", he praised him, smiling at the fact that Tom's face lit up at the praise, and he exchanged another glance with his dad who was smiling in approval.

You need to leave soon if you want to be back in time, Aurelius.

Yes, Father.

I would also like you to bring the dogs to your dad- he will take good care of them.

Yes, Father.

Aurelius did not dare to ask his father to bring the dogs to Gryffindor Manor himself, even though he wished nothing more than his parents talking to each other again. It had been weeks now without any contact between them, and he did not like it. He did not like it at all.

Carefully putting Tom down, he got up. He had another busy day ahead of him with taking care of the dogs and getting Tom's things from the abandoned office, and tomorrow would be a lot to handle as well with Sirius getting told about Tom.

Not looking forward to that, that's for sure…

After calmly explaining to Tom where he was going and promising the boy he would be back the next day, he left his father's penthouse, Squirrel and Princess following suit.

He was relieved that his conversation with Tom had gone so well- and he hoped that his conversation with Sirius would be equally successful.

One can dream…

"Relius!", he had barely entered the hallway when Sirius came running, his face beaming with excitement and joy, "I missed you! I missed you so much! Guess what, I played Quidditch yesterday, with Jake, and we had so much fun, and that homework Snape gave us was crazy, it took me like three hours, and then Nigel and I…", he kept talking, his voice filled with happiness, needing to tell Aurelius about all of his adventures of the last few days, and Aurelius did not care that some other students were staring at them when he easily picked up his boy, holding him close.

"I missed you, too", he finally said when Sirius had to take a breath, and the boy smiled even wider, "you gonna stay for a while now, Relius?"

Sweet boy.

"Yes, I have something to talk to you about", he started walking down the hallway with his boy, ignoring the whispers and stares of the others, secretly looking forward to having Sirius to himself for a bit, even though their conversation would be an uncomfortable one.

They made it to his quarters, the place he always stayed in when he was at Hogwarts, and Sirius immediately snuggled closer when he sat down with him on the couch.

"What do you have to talk about with me?", Sirius asked after a few minutes of comfortable silence, and Aurelius sighed.

Here we go…

"It's a rather…long story", he began, "and I would appreciate it if you could listen to me without interrupting me. Can you do that for me?"

Sirius blinked, seemingly taken aback by the serious tone in Aurelius' voice, but he nodded, "yes, Aurelius."

"Thank you."

And then, he started to talk. Like his father had advised him, he told the boy nothing but the truth- he told him about torturing Tom in the dungeons, how he had treated him at the café, him staying at the college, his visit to Tom's foster parents…he did not leave anything out.

Sirius listened, but it was obvious that it was rather difficult for the boy to keep his mouth shut, his hands balled into fists and the tense way he was sitting now told Aurelius everything he needed to know, though.

As expected…

"Now, do you have any ques…"

"He's Voldemort! Voldemort who betrayed everyone with that fake peace agreement, and…and now your father is thinking of adopting him? Is he out of his damn mind?"

Smack.

Sirius yelped, staring at Aurelius in shock, "but…that's not fair, I…"

Smack.

He yelped again, but before he was able to protest once more, Aurelius had raised his voice, "you do not disrespect my father like that, do you understand me?"

Sirius swallowed, knowing he was on thin ice right now, "yes…I understand."

"I can see that this comes as a shock for you", Aurelius continued, "but giving me attitude is never the right thing to do. I expect better from you."

"I…am sorry", Sirius forced himself to say, trying his best not to lose his temper, "it's just…Voldemort, he…"

"He goes by Tom now."

"He will always be Voldemort to me", there was a hint of stubbornness in Sirius' voice now, "and I hope your father thinks again if…"

"Careful, my boy."

Sirius bit his lips, jealousy rising inside him like hot lava when he thought about Aurelius snuggling Tom and telling him stories, "what…does that mean for us now? He is going to…stay with your father, right?", he finally asked.

"He is for a little bit, yes- but eventually, he is going to come back to school here. He is most likely going to be a third grader due to all the work he has missed already", Aurelius replied, his voice calm and even.

Sirius bit his lips so hard they almost started to bleed. He badly wanted to speak his mind, to tell Aurelius that it was crazy to let Voldemort of all people come back to Hogwarts, but he also knew that he couldn't. Voldemort obviously had not only manipulated Aurelius but also Gryffindor into believing his poor little boy scheme, but Sirius was not going to fall for it. Not for one second.

I'll show you poor little boy once you get here.

He had to pretend he was okay with Voldemort being Aurelius' boy now- even though he hated nothing more than the idea of sharing Aurelius with the person who had killed his best friend.

"I guess that's settled then", he mumbled, trying not to show a change of emotions too quickly, "are you…still gonna have time for me, Relius?"

If Aurelius was surprised by the change of topic, he did not show it, but simply nodded, pulling his boy close again, "I will always have time for my sweet boy", he said, affection in his voice, "you are taking this rather well, Sirius- I am proud of you."

No, I am not. I am not taking this well at all.

"Uhm…thank you", he knew he had to get out of this situation before he said or did something that let Aurelius know he was simply lying now, "was there…anything else you wanted to tell me?"

"Not at this moment, no", Aurelius' eyes narrowed, "why are you asking?"

"I…I promised Remus to see him for tea today, I just remembered."

Another lie.

"I see", Aurelius' face was calm, "well, better not let Professor Lupin wait, then."

"I…I be right back here after tea!", Sirius promised, hastily getting off Aurelius' lap, "and then…we could…snuggle more?"

"We were going to meet my father and Tom later today, sweet boy."

Fuck that.

"Oh…yeah. So…I just come right back here after tea?", he really needed to get out and think for a minute.

"That would be great, yes", Aurelius sounded amused, "now, do not let him wait- and come back right after. I will be here."

Sirius nodded, already darting for the door. He did not have an invite to have tea with Remus obviously, but once he was out in the hallway, he realized that Aurelius would probably know if he did not have tea- so he decided to go and see Remus.

And on the way there, he decided something else.

I should tell Remus- he also hates Voldemort, and if we both can make his life miserable here, let's see how long he wants to stick around.

Smiling to himself, he knocked on Remus' door.

This might be fun, actually…you better watch out, Voldemort.

yep...no one really expected Sirius to be happy about those news, right? :D

If his little scheme will work or not and them meeting aaaand some more stuff, will be in the next chapter! :)

I would love some feeback from y'all! :)

xoxo,

Antonie :)