Remembering James-Father's Day
Summary: On Father's Day, Harry, Sirius, and Remus remember James. Harry also honors Sirius and Remus as his father figures.
Sirius was looking through the planner to check on the following week's lesson plans when a date caught his eye. Father's day, it was two weeks away.
Letting his mind go back, Sirius thought back to the Father's Day following his escape to Potter Manor. He and James, like Mother's Day, had gone together and gotten Fleamont a present. It was a book of the greatest potioneers in the twenty century and an assortment of his favorite candy. Fleamont, otherwise known as Monty, loved his present and enjoyed the candy, sharing with Euphemia.
How he missed them both and their son?
James was more than his best friend, but his brother in everything but blood. He mourned his and Lily's death for thirteen years and no more.
It was sad to him that he couldn't bring himself to go to their graves last year and that was because of Harry. Sirius wouldn't have gone if it wasn't for the fact Harry wanted to go. Sirius had promised him he would take him and he never broke a promise. Remus, himself, said that. But then, if there was anything Harry ever mentioned he wanted to have or needed, he got it. Remus didn't have the heart to tell him not to as he knew Sirius, still was, trying to make up the twelve years of Harry's life he missed.
Sirius could think every God out there, that he had Harry. Sirius didn't see Harry as James's replacement, contrary to popular belief. He was just his godson or more than that. Like a son to him. And he treated Harry as if he was his son. Remus could contest that.
It was Sirius who Harry went to when he needed advice, it was Sirius, whom Harry would call when he needed help getting out a pickle he had gotten himself into, it was Sirius who would come running when Harry would call for him, no matter what was the matter, it was Sirius who Harry wanted when he didn't feel well (and now sometimes Ginny as well) and it was Sirius who would sit up with Harry on the nights he couldn't sleep.
Sirius's mind wandered to the Father's Day following the summer after he was given custody of Harry. The day had started out as usual, until he went to breakfast. During the morning post, Hedwig landed in front Sirius, offering the package she was carrying.
"Is that for me?" he asked the owl.
She looked at him as if to say "Yes, you blithering idiot, who else would I bring a package to?"
Sirius took the package before Hedwig could nip his fingers and watched as she flew off towards Harry, who offered her a piece of bacon and watched Sirius nervously.
Figuring out that Harry sent him the package, Sirius tore it open to find that Harry had ordered him his own set of The Lord of the Rings books. He had enjoyed the books when he read them when he was younger and this was the collector's edition, which made Sirius love it all the more.
He was even more surprised when he saw the letter that Harry had included with the present. It had confirmed to Sirius that Harry didn't see him as James's replacement, something that he had wondered at one time or another. Instead, Harry saw Sirius as a father figure and the closest thing to a father he had.
When he looked up from the letter, tears in his eyes, he saw that Harry was watching him closely. Not caring that he was in the Great Hall, he walked over to the Gryffindor table and met Harry halfway when he embraced him in a tight and loving hug. He pressed a kiss, discreetly on the top of Harry's head.
"Thank you for my present," he had said.
Harry replied, softly, "You're welcome."
Sirius had admitted to Harry later that he wasn't expecting anything and was even more surprised when Remus told him that he had received a small present from Harry as well. Remus was given a collection of books by Robert Lewis Stevenson.
Harry had explained to Remus that he didn't want him to feel left out. Remus didn't say much but had embraced Harry in a tight hug, thanking him for his gift.
"Sirius?"
The voice brought Sirius back to the present and he realized that Remus had been talking to him.
"Sorry Remus, you were saying?" Sirius asked.
"I said are you taking Harry to the cemetery for Father's Day?" Remus inquired.
"I haven't asked him yet," Sirius admitted. "I will when he stops by this afternoon."
Remus nodded mutely and headed to the classroom where he was preparing for the third year lesson on Red Caps. He had noticed that Sirius was thinking way off again. He knew he was thinking of Father's Day and how it had affected Harry.
They all knew how it affected Harry. Knowing how Harry had handled Mother's Day, Sirius was curious if he did the same thing for Father's Day. He did.
Sirius had found him in the same empty classroom as he had on Mother's Day, this time there was no album. Just Harry, sitting by the window, tears running down his face. The only difference was that Harry had given Sirius a present, which was a copy of some pictures of himself and Harry, framed and ready to be displayed in his bedroom.
But Harry still grieved the fact he didn't have his father with him on Father's Day. But Harry soon realized while he didn't have his father, he had his godfather.
Sirius did the same thing he did on Mother's Day. He approached Harry and pulled him into a loving embrace.
The following year, he took Harry to the cemetery. He made a promise that they would go and visit their graves more often.
"Sirius," Remus called from the doorway. "Class is about to begin."
"I'm coming," He called back.
Father's Day went to the back of his mind, deciding to ask Harry about it later.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Ginny entered the sixth year boys' dorm, only to be met with a catalog thrown towards her head. She bent down to pick up and walked over to Harry's bed. He was lying on his back, his hands over his eyes and his glasses pushed up to his forehead.
"Why does this have to be hard?" Harry groaned.
"What's hard?" Ginny asked.
Her sudden question made Harry jump and he pushed himself up on his elbows, upon seeing Ginny.
"Finding something for Sirius for Father's Day," he answered. "I've been looking for something for weeks and I have nothing. Father's Day is two weeks away and I'm afraid I won't have anything to give Sirius. I've given him something for the last two years and how do you think it would look if I didn't get him anything?"
Harry flopped back on his bed, his hands running through his hair, nearly pulling it out.
Ginny approached her boyfriend, climbing in bed beside him glad the beds in the dorm after second year was a double bed and laid down beside Harry.
"Wasn't Remus any help?" She asked.
"Where do you think I got the catalog form that I just chucked across the room," Harry muttered.
"You mean the one that nearly hit me when I came in."
"Sorry about that," Harry whispered. He turned to lie on his stomach, wrapping his arms around his pillow. Ginny recognized this as a cue that Harry was feeling very stressed. It was among one of his telltale signs.
"Baby," Ginny whispered. "You know Sirius would like anything you got him." She reached up and started rubbing the back of Harry's neck.
"I feel guilty," Harry admitted. "It's like I've replaced Dad with Sirius."
"I didn't know you felt that way," Ginny said, softly, moving her hand up to Harry's hair and run her fingers through his hair.
"I never really voiced it out loud." Harry shrugged.
Ginny knew how Harry felt about Father's Day. Last year came to the forefront of her mind. She came downstairs to find Harry sitting in an armchair, his knees pulled up to his chest and his chin resting on his knee. He didn't realize she was there until she wrapped an arm around him. She didn't need to ask what was wrong. She knew. She knew when she saw the calendar that morning that this was another hard day for Harry. Mother's Day, Father's Day, and Halloween were all hard days. A day in January and another in March were also days of pretending to be fine, but crying in private or in her arms away from their housemates in an empty classroom on the seventh floor.
She wasn't surprised at all when Harry laid his head against her shoulder and he began to shake with silent sobs. He had told her when he calmed down enough to talk that he had just gotten back from the cemetery. That had explained why Harry was upset. He had wanted a moment with Ginny before he joined Sirius and Remus in their quarters for dinner.
When she saw him the next morning at breakfast, the smile at returned to his face and he seemed to have returned to his usual happy self.
"There is a Hogsmeade visit this weekend," Ginny reminded him. "I'll help you find something for Sirius if you help me find something for Dad."
"What about a model airplane or a rubber duck?" Harry asked.
Ginny looked at her boyfriend for a second, confused, before realization dawned her and they both cracked up, laughter filling the dorm room.
"Okay," Ginny agreed, still chuckling.
"Thanks, Gin," Harry whispered, pushing himself up and kissing Ginny's cheek.
"You're welcome."
They laid there in silence until Harry's stomach growled loudly, making Ginny chuckle.
"Ready to go to dinner?" Ginny asked. "Sounds like your hungry."
Harry got up and helped Ginny up and together they headed down to the common room and left Gryffindor tower. Harry hoped that when he returned from visiting Remus and Sirius that he would have an idea of what to get Sirius for Father's Day.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Sirius yawned as he entered the Great Hall Saturday morning. It was a Hogsmeade weekend and those who were going to the village were in the Great Hall eating breakfast and discussing their plans for the day. Sitting down at the head table, he immediately scanned the Gryffindor table for a mop of messy black hair. He didn't find it at all.
He would have panicked if it wasn't for the fact he had glanced down at his watch and seen what time it was. Harry never was up early on Saturday, preferring to sleep in.
"Good morning, Minerva," he greeted when the Transfiguration professor sat down beside him.
"Good morning, Sirius," she returned. It had taken Professor McGonagall over a year to call Sirius by his first name and not by his surname. She now called him Sirius.
He made small talk with the professor, lightly inquiring about Harry and how he was doing in her class. He knew he didn't have anything to worry about as Harry had some of the top grades in almost all of his classes, especially Defense, and the reason why spoke for its self. When they did any of the practical work, Harry quite literally wiped the floor with his opponent, regardless if he happened to be paired with Ron and Hermione, who took it all in stride.
In a duel, Harry was a force to be reckoned with and Sirius couldn't have been more proud. Remus had been the one to say how much he wished that James and Lily were here. That was a wish that everyone had, especially Harry.
Breakfast had been served for half an hour when Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny entered the Great Hall. They usually didn't come in the Great Hall in a group, but when they did it often made Sirius wonder if they were up to something. Harry was tightly lipped about some of the activities he and Ginny got up to and had assured Sirius that he and Ginny hadn't taken that step yet.
Sirius watched in amusement as Harry and Ginny fixed their own breakfast, often handing something to the other before they had asked. Sirius couldn't hear what was being said, all he saw was Harry's lips moving. He had said that Harry and Ginny often behaved as if they were a married couple. They were already communicating as if they were a married couple, without words, just looks alone.
When breakfast finished Harry approached the head table and to collect his money from Sirius.
"Hello my favorite godson," Sirius greeted.
"I thought I was your only godson," Harry said, confused.
"You are which means you're my favorite." Sirius smiled and reached into the pocket of his shirt and pulled out the money pouch. "I assume you want this?" Sirius asked, handing to Harry.
"Thanks, Sirius."
"I included a little extra to treat Ginny to lunch and maybe buy her something pretty. Have fun and try not to go overboard with the sweets. I would like you to have one Hogsmeade visit that doesn't end with a stomach ache."
"Thanks, Sirius. Can I bring you back anything?" Harry asked. Since Sirius and Remus came into his life, every Hogsmeade visit Harry would get something for Sirius and/or Remus. Usually, it was candy from Honeydukes and other times it was something from Zonko's Joke Shop.
"Our usual from Honeydukes," Sirius said.
"Harry, time to go," Ginny called from the door.
"I gotta go," Harry said. "I'll see you later."
When Harry left Remus leaned over and whispered. "You know you were wasting your breath when you told Harry to take it easy on the sweets right and that isn't the main cause of Harry's post-Hogsmeade visits stomach aches."
"I do, though I tell him that so he's not too sick for later."
"Come on, let's go to the office and finish our grading. When we're done, we'll go to the Three Broomsticks for lunch and a Butterbeer."
"No Firewhiskey?" Sirius inquired, pouting.
"Not today, maybe we'll go one day when the village isn't crowded with students," Remus assured him.
"Okay," Sirius agreed.
They left the Great Hall, pausing at the door to watch Harry and Ginny walk down to the village hand in hand.
"It's good to see Harry happy isn't it?" Remus asked.
Sirius nodded and said, "Yes, it is."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry was about to pull his hair out. He had looked at the bookstore Tomes and Scrolls for a book that Sirius might like. He had looked in Zonko's and had no luck there. Harry had thought that he would find something that Sirius would like and nothing. He found nothing! He was about to scream in frustration. What was he going to do if he didn't have anything? He didn't want to think about that. He wasn't about to give up.
"What about a joke book?' Ginny suggested.
Harry paused, his mind going back to a conversation he had overheard between Sirius and Remus. They didn't know that Harry was listening to their conversation.
"I wish we can find that book," Sirius said.
"James had the book, Sirius. We've looked through the house and then the vault and we couldn't find it. I guess it's lost forever."
"1000 Pranks for the Practical Pranker was the book where we got all of our pranks from. It's important that we find it, at least a new copy."
Harry smiled and grabbed Ginny, kissing her soundly on the lips. "Thanks, Gin." He left a very confused Ginny as he approached the counter.
"Excuse me, ma'am, I was wondering if you would happen to have a prank book."
The Zonko's employee was helpful in finding the book that Harry had asked for, as they had the book. It was on a high shelf which was why Harry didn't find it when he looked the first time.
"Thank you," he said to the girl and went off to find Ginny. She smiled when he showed her the book and followed him to the till to pay for it. Harry left the joke shop in high spirits and took Ginny to Honeydukes where they sampled a few of the new candy and chocolate covered marshmallows, and had purchased some candy, both themselves and Harry had bought some for Sirius and Remus.
They had left the sweet shop when Harry pulled Ginny close to him.
"Can we go back to the bookstore?" he asked.
"Whatever for?" Ginny inquired.
"Because I forget to get something for Remus."
Ginny sighed and nodded, following Harry to the bookstore. This time Harry knew what he was looking for. Remus loved anything to do with Defense and History of Magic. Harry had come across a book in the Tombs and Scrolls catalog and had it with him in his pocket. He pulled it out and asked the lady at the counter if they happen to have a copy of Twenty Thousand Legends in the Magical World. According to the description, it was filled with many different legends and myths in the magical world that Remus thought it would be interesting.
Luckily for Harry, they had it. He bought the book and followed Ginny to the Muggle store where he helped her find an airplane model for Arthur and a book about airplanes. Since there was also Muggle books at the Muggle store, Harry was able to find Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea for Remus and The Hobbit for Sirius.
Harry owned The Hobbit himself but wanted Sirius to have his own copy.
Feeling better about having something for Sirius and Remus, Harry returned to the castle later that day after a lunch with Ginny and more shopping, in high spirits. He was now planning on how to go about giving them to Sirius and Remus.
But the thoughts of the father he never knew were not far from his mind.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Sirius woke up when he felt a dip in the bed. Smiling to himself, he laid still until he was sure Harry was over top of him. Then suddenly, now fully awake, he grabbed a hold of Harry and turned him over, to where they were now reversed with Harry laying under Sirius. If someone had walked into the room at that moment, it would have been hard to explain. But the only person who would come in would be Remus and he's seen this happen more times at home.
"Are you here to wake me up?" Sirius asked.
"Of course, isn't that what a kid does on Father's Day?" Harry inquired. Ron and Ginny had told him about Father's Day at the Burrow. They would do a dog pile on the bed to wake up Arthur, with Bill on the bottom and Ginny on the top. Since hearing about that, Harry wanted to try something similar to that with Sirius, but as usual, Sirius had outsmarted him.
"Um, Sirius, can you get up?" Harry asked.
"Why? I'm comfortable," Sirius replied, laying his head on the pillow next to Harry's.
"You're also squashing me," Harry said.
Sirius got up and climbed out of bed on the opposite side. Harry remained in the bed, pretending to be relieved that Sirius had gotten up off of him. Suddenly, Harry found himself being pulled up and thrown over Sirius's shoulder.
"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed with a startled yelp.
"Prongslet, what are we feeding you? You're heavy," Sirius stated.
He walked into the sitting room and the kitchen area where Remus was waiting for them. He chuckled at Harry and Sirius, calling to them, "Don't hurt your back, Sirius."
Sirius sat Harry down with his feet on the floor. Harry rearranged his shirt as it had ridden up when Sirius threw him over his shoulder.
"Was that necessary?" Harry asked.
Sirius just chuckled. They cleaned up and headed to the table, where Harry had breakfast waiting.
"Was this why you came and woke me up?" Sirius asked, noticing his favorites on the table.
"Yeah, Dobby helped so I can't take credit for all of it."
They sat down to the breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, and scones. Harry had made the scones and told Sirius there was more in the basket on the counter. Remus took the first bite out of his scone and sighed happily.
"You need to give Dora the recipe," he said.
"She has it," Harry replied, before popping a piece of sausage in his mouth.
They made small talk over breakfast, not really much, just catching up with each other on what's going on in their life. Harry asked Sirius when they were going to the cemetery and it was decided that they would go after lunch, giving Harry plenty of time to spend with both Sirius and a little bit of time with Ginny.
"Are we still going to the Great Hall?" Remus asked.
"We are," Sirius confirmed. "It's almost time for the post and I figured you would want to be there and see if there is a letter from Dora."
Harry stifled the laughter that was building when he saw Remus's face. He and Tonks had been seeing each other since the previous summer and Harry was guessing they might get married this summer if Remus would allow it.
"Harry, this is good," Sirius said, as he ate his scone and put some jam on it. "Very good."
Harry had learned to make scones when he was bored one day. Sirius had allowed him to use the stove and the oven at home whenever he wanted to and Harry was proven to be an excellent cook at his age. His scones were Sirius's favorite and he made a batch for Ginny alone a few times.
"They melt in my mouth," She had said the first time she had Harry's scones. Even Molly was impressed and asked Harry what he did differently to his.
Ron and Hermione were more than stunned at Harry's baking ability, especially when he showed up in the common room one night in their fifth year with hot chocolate and his chocolate chip scones. He had brought enough for the four of them and Neville as they were staying up to study for OWLs, while the other Gryffindor fifth years were in bed.
Ginny came over to the group and without saying a word, Harry picked up a scone and handed it to Ginny, his eyes never leaving the page he was reading in his Charms book. She kissed his head and sat down in a nearby armchair, sighing as she took her first bite.
Harry finished his breakfast and took his plate to the sink. Dobby told him he would clean up to help Harry and he couldn't refuse.
"I'll be back," He said to Sirius and Remus and headed to his bedroom. On the bed were two bags, one held Sirius's present, the other Remus's. Harry picked up Sirius's in one hand and Remus's with other and headed into the sitting room.
He hoped that they would like their gifts.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
When Harry returned to the kitchen, Sirius and Remus were talking quietly. They paused when Harry sat down their respective bags.
"What is this?" Remus asked. He wasn't expecting anything from Harry for Father's Day.
"A little Father's Day gift," Harry replied.
"You didn't have to get me anything," Sirius said, picking up the bag. He sat it down in his lap and pulled out the paper. He paused when he saw 1000 Pranks for the Practical Pranker. He didn't miss Remus's gasp when he pulled out the book and sat it down on the table to look at it.
"Harry this," Sirius paused, choked up. He thought the book was lost forever and nowhere was, back in his hands again.
He looked down in the bag and pulled out his own copy of The Hobbit. Sirius was so speechless that he didn't know what to say to the present. He had wanted The Hobbit and hoped he would find the prank book and now here they were in his possession.
Sirius reached down in the bottom of the bag and noticed a piece of parchment paper. He pulled it out, noticing it was a note.
Happy Father's Day, Sirius
I hope you enjoy your present. Just don't use any of the pranks on me (I've had it for a few weeks and have copied some of the pranks, word of warning). Thank you to being a father figure to me. I know you don't want to take Dad's place and I understand that. Really I do.
Thank you to the many times you've stayed up with me either when I couldn't sleep, or had a nightmare and couldn't sleep, or when I was sick. Thanks for taking care of me, I know I'm not the easiest patient when I'm sick, but I'm glad I have you to take care of me. Thanks for being a listening ear when I need to vent or ask for advice. I know I can come to you about anything and you won't ask too many questions.
I don't think I could ever thank you enough for everything you've done for me.
I love you, Sirius. I know I don't say it often, but I do. You still mean the world to me.
Love,
Prongslet
Sirius wiped his eyes and looked up, noticing Harry was watching him closely. He got up and pulled Harry to him and engulfed him in a tight hug that would have rivaled Molly Weasley's. He pressed a kiss to Harry's head.
"Thank you," He whispered.
"For what?" Harry replied.
"The gift for one and being my reason to keep going," Sirius said.
Harry didn't need to know what that might and hugged Sirius all the more.
"Happy Father's Day, Sirius."
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Harry and Sirius appeared in the alley near the church with a loud cracking sound, announcing their arrival
Sirius steadied Harry asking him quietly if he was okay. Harry nodded in response and followed Sirius towards the sound of church bells ringing. The path was well known by now, and Sirius was sure he could do it with his eyes closed. They walked in silence towards the church and the cemetery.
There were no flowers as James wasn't a fan of flowers, only got them for Lily. Instead, Sirius had conjured a wreath to place on James's grave instead.
As they entered the kissing gate, Sirius let Harry take the lead, following him down the headstone lined path to James's and Lily's grave. When they reached the double headstone, Harry reached down and dusted away dead leaves and grass.
"Do you want a minute?" Sirius asked. Harry nodded. "Okay."
Sirius backed away and approached Fleamont's grave beside Euphemia.
"Dad?" Harry said, quietly once he knew he was alone. "Do you feel that I've replaced you with Sirius? Because I feel like I have. I'm not trying to replace you, Dad. Rather Sirius had filled the role of a father figure to me. You're still Dad even if you're not here." Harry paused for a second before continuing.
"Are you proud of me? Am I everything you hoped for?" Pausing again, Harry glance back at Sirius. "I wish you were here, Dad," Harry whispered. "You and Mum."
Sirius watched from a distance, but close enough to get to him in case of an emergency. He walked up to Harry and sat down beside him.
"You know your parents would be proud of you. They loved you very much and I think you've surpassed any expectation they might have had," Sirius said.
"Really?" Harry asked.
"Really."
"Thanks," Harry whispered.
They stayed for a little while until the church bells rang again and Sirius realized the time.
"We better go," Sirius said, softly. Harry nodded, getting up.
"I love you," Harry whispered, leaving the wreath on James's grave. "I love you both."
Harry followed Sirius to the kissing gate and then to the alley behind the church where they disapparated back to Hogwarts.
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
Sirius lifted up his glass of Firewhiskey and said, "To James."
"A brother and friend," Remus added.
"And loving father. We do this in memory of you, Dad," Harry finished.
They all took a drink of their Firewhiskey in James's memory.
"If Lily was here, she'd have our hide for giving him Firewhiskey," Remus said to Sirius.
"A half glass isn't going to kill him, Remus," Sirius retorted.
He approached Harry and said, "Thank you for the gift."
"Yes, Harry, thank you for the books."
Harry smiled, relieved that they liked what Harry had gotten them. "I'm glad you like them."
"Are you staying down here tonight?" Sirius asked.
"Yes, I am," Harry replied.
Sirius smiled and hugged Harry close to him. "Good, then I can…."
"Sirius," Harry said, cutting him off. "Remember what I said."
Sirius pouted when he remembered that Harry had asked for him not to use any of the pranks in the book he had given him on Harry. But Harry's threat of a Prank War was too great. Sirius decided to give it a few days and he'd test a prank from the book, either on Harry, despite the warning, or Remus.
They talked up into the night until Harry started yawning and Sirius decided it was time for bed. Harry went to his bedroom and was asleep in a matter of minutes. When Sirius when to check on him a little while later, he smiled at the sight of his sleeping godson. Harry looked younger than his sixteen years when he was asleep and peaceful. Not wanting to disturb him, Sirius reached over, tucking the blanket around Harry and pressing a kiss to the side of his head.
"Good night, Prongslet," he whispered. "I love you."
When Sirius was gone, Harry opened his eyes, realizing he had forgotten something. He picked up the framed photo of his parents and whispered.
"Good night, Dad. I love you and Happy Father's Day."
AN: Sorry for the late posting. I had hit a bout of writer's block in the middle of writing this.
I posted this in HLWP, I'm posting it here. I'm skipping the whole Department of Mysteries scenario. I will have the part where Harry has the vision, but with a different outcome. Though I'd throw that out there before someone asks if I'm going to do the Battle of DOM and here is your answer.
I just can't bring myself to write about it. Hope everyone understands.