Chapter 45
#
So, the past week before Harry left for Black's house, we spend a lot of the time in the basement working on improving his potions. When Harry wasn't under the scrutinizing eye of Severus Snape, he wasn't half bad. The two boys didn't speak much, but Draco helped him in his sneering way. When the sun came out and the days were beautiful, I dragged them both out to the garden. Remus and Narcissa nearly fainted one day when the two boys were flying in the garden together but not together. Harry had left two days ago, and it was now the day of the housewarming party. The sun was out again, so I picked a light summer dress before heading down for breakfast.
"Morning." I kissed Cissy's and Moony's cheek, before sitting down next to my uncle. I was happy to note that Narcissa took my advice. The elves weren't wearing old rags anymore. My aunt had bought them fabrics which they could make their own clothes from. The one, who handed me a plate with bacon and eggs, wore a sort of dark green kimono. "What time do we leave?"
"Noon." Remus said sipping his tea. "We can go on foot." Narcissa and I looked surprised to Remus. "The house is only two blocks away."
"Why did he floo over here then?" Narcissa huffed.
"Because he's lazy." Remus shrugged with a little smile. His eyes glazed over, like he was thinking back about something that happened a long time ago. "I've found a new job, cub."
"Really? That's great, Moony!" I hugged him tight. "As what?"
"As a librarian."
"I don't think there is anything better, except..."
"Not again, Alec." He groaned, letting his head fall back.
"What is she talking about?" Narcissa asked as she cut her toast.
"Nothin-"
"Opening his own shop. It's his dream." I interrupted him with a glare.
"Why haven't-" Narcissa stopped when Draco came sauntering in, with little eyes. His hair was messy, and he was still in his bathrobe. I'm guessing I, alongside the others on the table, were the only ones who had seen him like this. Even with Harry staying for two weeks, he had never seen it. Always showered and got dressed before he headed down.
"Still want to go?" He asked me, and I nodded. "I'll go get ready in a minute. First-" Before he could finish his sentence, I handed him a cup of tea, just how he liked. He smiled after he took a sip.
#
A couple of hours later, the four of us were walking to Black's new house. Narcissa hasn't asked about the shop yet, but I knew she was dying to ask. The truth was... He didn't have the money. I already told him to take it from my account, but he flatly refused. I even suggested I'd loan it to him, but still a no-go. I was still figuring out a way to convince him, really. Draco and I were talking about going to Diagon Alley to get our school things, when Remus and Cissy stopped in front of us. I glanced up at a large house, a manor really. Not one like Malfoys which was pretty dark, but light and smaller. But how can it not be? Malfoy Manor was ridiculously large. It had white wooden panels and a bright blue door. Grass and trees surrounded the property, secluding it from the surrounding houses. Before any of us had the time to step to the front door, the door flew open. Harry grinned when he saw me and ran towards us. He flung his arms around me in a tight hug.
"It's been two days." Draco muttered, but another voice said just the same. I glanced over to Harry's shoulder. Sirius Black was looking at us with a curious expression. I looked away from his eyes, the exact copy of mine as I pulled back. I grinned at Harry.
"Are you going to show me around or what?"
"Yeah, let's go. The others aren't here yet." He started pulling me to the house, then he looked behind me uncertain. "Uhm- Malfoy, do you want to come with us?"
The blond huffed. "Don't strain yourself, Potter. I'm fine."
And with that Harry pulled me inside, leaving the four of them standing in the front yard watching us walk thought the blue door. I had to admit, the house was impressive. It was brightly coloured and large windows let in all the sunlight. A large contrast from Grimmauld place, Remus told me about. It had an open kitchen with a long dining table, that could fit twelve people. The living room had a large beige L-shaped couch that was facing a TV. A light wood bookcase was built around the TV and was filled with books. The living room looked at in the garden with its floor-length windows, a large glass slide door.
On the first floor were five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Harry proudly opened the door to his room and let me step in. It had beige walls, a bookcase and desk against the wall. A double bed was placed beneath the window. You could see little hints of Gryffindor around the room. The wall that was filled with pictures called my attention and I walked closer.
"You like it? Sirius let me decorate it myself. I was never allowed to decorate, so I don't know..."
"It's amazing, Harry." I smiled as he came to stand next to me. "You're so cute here." I said pointing at a picture of Harry, Hermione and Ron.
The boy flushed. "That was the end of our first year. We were just babies."
"Cute." I said as I pinched his cheek. The boy turned even more red. "De La Barre, Harry!" I laughed. "How is it I can still make you blush like that? I know your crush has been long gone."
"I- I don't know. I don't have a crush on you anymore, but I think you'll always have that effect on me. I mean -" He looked me up and down. "Look at you."
"Fuck Salazar, Potter. Stop looking at my cousin like that." Draco's voice filled the room.
Harry spun around quicker than a spinning top. Draco sauntered in slowly, looking at the room, before he stopped next to me looking at the pictures.
"Be nice, Draco." I slapped his arm as the three of us looked at the pictures. "There really should be a picture of us on here, Harry."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Draco said and the two of us looked at him. "Harry won't be able to sleep, going to town on him-OUCH!"
I send him a small wandless stinging hex, making him double over. "What were you saying?" I asked innocently as I looked at a picture of Harry with the Weasleys. Seeing Fred and George on the photo made my heart jump, I missed them more than I thought I would.
"I was saying the others have arrived." He gritted out. "They were practically all glaring at me, I had to get out."
"And you thought I was better?" Harry asked sending an own glare, but I saw he didn't really mean it.
Draco shrugged and walked back to the door. He looked over his shoulder. "Don't. Tell. Anyone. You. Stayed. At. My. House. Potter." He gritted out and walked out the room with too much flair. Harry and snickered at each other before following the Slytherin down.
Before we walked downstairs, Harry pointed to two doors in the hallway. "That's your room and that one's Remus'. Do you want to take a look?"
"No, I'm good. Let's get to the others."
#
The sight downstairs was something to behold. They were all standing in the garden, Hermione was talking to Ron in hushed tones, while Molly and Arthur stood with Remus, Narcissa and Sirius. Remus and Arthur were engaged in the conversation while the other three stood awkwardly and insecure next to them. My heart thudded fast as I saw the twins and Ginny in the lounge chairs. The three of them had their eyes closed, so they hadn't seen me yet.
"Harry!" Hermione cried, she abandoned her conversation with Ron and ran up to him. Harry caught her in his arms.
"Alec, can I talk to you?" Black asked and I looked away from the hugging duo. But just behind him, I saw the twins' eyes snap open at the sound of my name. They jumped up like they'd been electrocuted. The nearly pushed Sirius to the ground to get to me. I smiled broadly at the boys as they bumped each other coming to me. Draco snickered next to me as he stepped back.
"Hello, boys." I said as I opened my arms as they engulfed me in their famous twin hug. The smell of fireworks and rain after a hot day filled my nose. I buried my face in their arms.
"Gods, we missed you, love." They both kissed my cheek, a little closer to my mouth than they usually did.
My hands were still on their necks as they leaned slightly down. "I missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't written much-"
"That's okay-" They started but the next moment Remus and Sirius appeared next to the twins, clearing their throats.
"Uhm, Harry, why don't you show us around?" Hermione asked glancing between the twins and Remus and Sirius.
"Yeah, sure." He said. "Fred, George, let's go." The twins winked at me before walking in the house. Harry stepped closer and whispered. "Are you going to be alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Draco and Remus are still here. You go show everyone around." I watched Harry and the others walk inside the house. Draco and Remus subtly shifted until they were standing with Mrs and Mr Weasley. The silence stretched on between me and my father. Remus gave me encouraging smile and I turned towards the house.
"Nice house." I said as my eyes flickered over the windows. The next moment I saw several heads duck away from one of the windows upstairs. Spies. I chuckled to myself. I felt Sirius Black's eyes on me, while I looked at the house.
"Thank you. I don't know if Harry told you, but you have a room here, so does Remus."
"He told me."
"Uhm, yeah, right. Have you seen it?"
"No." Silence. Not just between us but the whole garden. Remus and the others had gone completely silent too. "I read your letters."
"Really? I'm really so-"
"Not now, Black." I turned to him, my gaze hard. "I agreed to be here, but this will take time. I don't want to do -" I gestured around the two of us. "This here and now."
"Okay." He said with a small smile. He seemed not bothered by it, maybe because I was even remotely speaking to him, albeit the few words. "Did you become a Animagus because of Remus?"
"Obviously." I said in a Snape like manner, and Black winced. "He told me his friends did it for him back in school, so I decided to step in."
"You know that's really impressive doing it at that age."
"I'm aware." I tucked back a grin. "How old were you?"
"Fifteen." He grinned. "How did you find out about Moony?"
"Scotty." I corrected.
"What?" Sirius looked genuinely confused.
"The name of the wolf is Scotty."
"Huh." He frowned. "We always called him Moony."
"I know, he didn't like that. His name is Scotty. And I didn't find out, Remus told me."
"He -" He looked over his shoulder to the others. "He told you?"
"Yeah, I was about six, I think."
Sirius whirled around to face my uncle. "You told a six-year-old you're a werewolf?!"
"I tell her everything." Remus shrugged unfazed by his reaction. He looked at me and winked, I smiled widely at him. Sirius looked between us as we smiled. "I-" Sirius huffed. "I'll set the table for lunch." He muttered and walked inside the house.
"I'll help, Sirius." Narcissa smiled and the two Blacks walked in.
"Alec?" Remus called me over. "This is Mrs and Mr Weasley."
"Nice to meet you. George, Fred and Harry told me all about you." I smiled as I shook their hands.
"All good things, I hope." Mr Weasley gave me a warm smile.
"Nothing but, Mr Weasley" I said honestly. "You raised some amazing children."
"I guess I have you to thank for getting the exchange program up running again? Percy really loved going there for his last months." Mrs Weasley smiled. "And call us Molly and Arthur, dear."
"The twins told us all about you too, you know."
"I'll bet." Draco snorted a laugh. And I subtly stomped on his foot.
"What are we talking about?" Fred asked as he and George appeared next to me, out of breath. It looked like they had run through the house.
"You." I grinned and the boys paled.
"What?" They choked out.
"Seems like you two can't stop talking about Alexandra." Draco said with a blank expression. Remus growled in the back of his throat, but I was the only one that heard it.
"Lunch is ready!" Narcissa called out, saving us before Remus growl turned louder.
#
I turned and tugged Remus with me as we headed to the table. Sirius was looking between me and Remus, sensing something was wrong. Sirius sat down at the head of the table, Remus on his right and me next to him. Draco smirked as he slid in the stool next to me before either of the twins sat down. Across from me was Harry.
"Are you taking your Wolfsbane?" Sirius whispered to Remus.
I snorted while Remus smiled. Black raised his eyebrows as he looked at me. "I make his Wolfsbane potion. Of course, he takes it."
"You - you can make Wolfsbane?" His grey eyes, just like mine, turned comically large.
"She can make about everything." Harry said proudly, and I smiled at him.
"I think she's the only one that ever got her NEWT's for potions in fifth year instead of seven." Hermione said with adoration.
"And got an Outstanding." Harry grinned.
"I told you she would get an O." George nudged his brother. "This is a cause for celebration."
Fred smirked at his twin before the rummaged in their pockets and held out fireworks before sending it off. I shook my head smiling at the twins' antics.
"Congratulations, dear." Molly called over the fireworks to me.
"Thank you." I called back. I turned back to see Sirius eyes on me with a look I couldn't decipher.
Sirius lips moved as he looked down at his plate, that already filled itself with all kinds of things. I perked up my ears. "She finished her potions NEWT's, she got an Outstanding." He looked back up and locked eyes with me, his smile wide. Then suddenly yelled. "My daughter got an O for her Potion NEWT's!"
"I'm not your daughter." I grumbled.
"Alec." Remus placed his hand on mine. I was shaking slightly, I looked down at my plate.
"It's not because I'm here, and I exchanged two dozen of words with you, that makes you my father. Remus is. It's because of him, I got here. Him, not you." I said as I looked to Sirius stone faced.
Everyone at the table went dead silent. It even sounded like the birds had stopped chirping. Then the silence broke as Ron turned into a big yellow canary. We all looked stunned at the younger Weasley before falling in a fit of laughter. Count on the twins to flip over the mood in an instant.