(Coeus Black - PoV)

Hot.

I try shifting around but don't have much success. Something heavy is on me.

Opening my eyes, I discover the weight is Phoebe lying on top of me, her head tucked up under my chin.

Phoebe...

The memory of...earlier(?) comes back and I squeeze her close. She shifts a bit, grumbling before slowly looking up at me. Blue.

We match gazes for a time, just...thinking? Feeling.

She's warm. I can feel her breath. Her heartbeat. Her life.

She's fine. I know that. I knew that.

I shouldn't have lost it like I did.

It just...

I close my eyes and shake my head.

No. I don't want to think about it anymore right now.

We have better things to do.

Opening my eyes again, Phoebe is still watching me.

What now? I can feel her asking.

I admit, it is very comfortable here in the bed. A glance to the side confirms Iris is wrapped around my other arm, still asleep. And Dora is here too? No wonder it is so crowded.

That said, I am not even slightly tired. And already getting a bit of a headache. Time to get up, I think.

I don't have to say anything. Phoebe slides up a bit, wrapping her arms tighter around my neck, giving me one last hug before she begins the task of untangling herself.

All of our jostling quickly wakes Iris up. She blinks several times before green eyes focus on me questioningly.

I give her a nod, so she yawns and begins attempting to untangle herself as well.

Dora cracks one eye to check on us before closing it. It seems she won't be joining us. She confirms as much by doing something weird and wiggly with her arms to free them before rolling over. Metamorphs. Weird, but so convenient.

I look over at Phoebe, but she shakes her head.

Ah well.

After fighting our way free, and stretching to our hearts' content, because by Merlin was it needed, we make our way downstairs.

No need to change again. We did earlier, I think.

Normally I lead the way, but today I allow Phoebe to walk in front of me where I can see her.

No reason.

Andy's head pops out of the kitchen as we enter the dining room.

As a figure of speech, not literally.

Halloween can get weird with magic.

"Ah, you're all awake, good." I can't quite read the expression on her face. "Dinner will be ready soon," she says before retreating back around the corner.

Glancing around, everything in here seems fine. We pass into the living room where, oddly enough, other than a couple of missing pictures, everything seems to be in place? That's weird. I vaguely remember everything breaking? It didn't really register at the time but...

Right, Reparo.

That's good.

...

Nice spell that, need to put it on the list.

...

Shrugging, I look to the others to ask what they want to do now before I notice I am holding Phoebe's hand.

When did that happen?

Phoebe tugs me onto a couch before crawling into my lap, Iris settling in next to us.

We just sit in silence for a few moments. As much as I enjoy their presence, I feel the need to do something, so I speak up.

"So...Lupin."

"Lupin," Iris repeats neutrally, while Phoebe remains silent.

"He seemed ok, I guess? For a homeless werewolf."

Phoebe snorts.

"Is he homeless?" Iris asks. "You just sort of assumed..."

I frown.

"I mean, he certainly looks it? And he never said otherwise."

I shrug.

"He's certainly not doing well for himself at least?"

Iris nods.

"Then again, I guess he did better than his friends? Rather sad when the tramp is the success story. Also funny that he tried to belittle Snape's career path."

Movement from Phoebe attracts my attention. She seems to be facepalming?

And Iris is staring at me?

...

Oh. I am talking badly about her parents, aren't I?

"Uh, s-"

"It's fine," Iris says, shaking her head.

"It's true, isn't it? They died. And all their friends died. Or had their lives ruined."

She gives a short, hollow chuckle.

"And for what? So the other side could bribe the court and keep going to fancy parties? Everyone suffered and died and nothing changed. Nothing got better..."

What can I say to that? What a victory, huh?

I really don't get Dumbledore at all.

"Food's ready!" Andy calls out from the other room, thankfully breaking the awkward atmosphere.

Iris is actually the first to get up, Phoebe and I following.

We are all quiet as we sit at the table, Andy putting out the food. I can't quite convince myself to let go of Phoebe.

This day just keeps giving, doesn't it?

Ted comes in at the same time Dora makes her way down the stairs. Both collapse into their chairs bonelessly, neither commenting on anyone else.

Simultaneous eyebrows are raised by both at the other. Nods are shared.

It's funny, Dora is much more like Andy, but gets along so much better with Ted. They even sync up like this on occasion.

Dinner is quiet at least, everyone eating their fill. Phoebe is much better at eating with her left than I am. Again, no one comments.

Maybe I should practice left-handed casting at some point?

I finish first, not being particularly hungry. Andy and Dora both give me looks, but I made sure to eat enough to avoid them complaining at me.

I watch everyone at the table instead, my gaze lingering on Iris.

Sirius, bastard that he is, abandoned his family for another and never looked back. Never tried to find a different way. Are we doing the same to Iris? Would she be as hostile towards him if not for us? I rather doubt it.

And her words earlier...

I try to hide my frown, though I am uncertain how well I manage.

I am still thrilled we brought Iris into our family. She is one of us now, and I have been hoping to pull her in as tightly as possible. To make her a true Black. If that means stealing her from her old family? No problem. Right?

Stealing Iris from the Durselys? Absolutely. There is no need to explain why.

Stealing her from Sirius? Sure. He's a dick. Nya-nya, finder's keepers.

Stealing her from her parents? Her parents who died protecting her?

...

"We will talk to Sirius tomorrow," I announce, causing everyone else to blink.

There are things you just don't do.

Even if it means talking to an idiot and his dog.

As I expected, Andy beams at me across the table and begins to ramble on, but I tune her out.

I assume Lupin will be there? It would be kind of a dick move to not let your homeless friend stay with you.

...

Actually, I have no idea where Sirius lives. Is he homeless too? No, he is probably living with Grandfather, right? In that case, Lupin might be out of luck...

Dora is staring at me as well, and she is far more analytical.

She doesn't speak up, so I guess it's fine?

I end up having to interrupt Andy's rambling.

"Where is Sirius actually living?" I ask. "With Grandfather?"

She blinks.

"Oh, no. He inherited Grimmauld Place. In London. It's where he grew up."

Where he grew up?

Looking over at Iris again, I imagine her getting out of prison and being forced to go back to Privet Drive.

From her expression, I can tell she is thinking the same thing.

Damnit Sirius, stop being sympathetic. Let us hate you in peace...

I sigh.

"Fine. Write him and let him know we will be over sometime tomorrow."

Just sometime, no need to be more specific. May as well make him rush around and then sweat a bit.

I will be as petty about this as I can.

Given Andy's cheerful mood as she gets up from the table, I don't think she notices.

Dora raises an eyebrow at me. She definitely notices.

I shrug. She gives me a thumbs up.

Good to know she still has our back.

Ted looks between us before shaking his head and returning to his plate.

You'll keep gaining pounds, not losing them, eating like that, Ted.

I start to call out to Iris before realizing her attention is already on me.

Duh, where else would it be?

"Want to go practice our Stinging Hex?"

She blinks.

"Uh...ok?"

Dora rolls her eyes as we head upstairs.

Hey, I am giving him a chance. But I can still hope for the best.


We use our room to practice. The lack of bed actually gives us even more room to work now.

"So uh, if you want to talk to Sirius now, why are we practicing spells to hurt him?" Iris asks.

"I don't want to talk to him," I tell her as I pull the targets out of my trunk. "Not really. But he knew your parents. And Lupin will probably be there too. So you can talk to them about that stuff. Phoebe and I talking to him is just a bonus I guess."

She is quiet for a time while Phoebe and I set up the targets.

I pretend not to notice the fact that Phoebe usually makes me do it by myself. She doesn't mention the fact that I brush against her constantly any time I have to look away.

"Ok." Iris eventually says. "Umm. Why the Stinging Hexes though?"

I shrug.

"In case we don't like their answers?"

She continues to stare at me.

"Yes, I am being intentionally spiteful," I admit. "But really, I expect we will get plenty of use out of this anyway. So do you want to practice or not?"

Without taking her eyes off me, Iris whips her wand out and casts a perfect hex that smacks dead center on the target, with enough power to deform and bubble the entire middle of the target.

...

What was I worried about again? I don't have to steal her. She is totally a Black.


We practice long into the night, well past when we usually go to bed. Our little nap earlier really threw things off.

That's fine, though. It just means we will sleep in late. And if that means that we will visit Sirius much later in the day? I'm certainly not complaining.