"Brumous"
"Chapter Thirteen: The Nightmare"
Sirius didn't return to the Burrow after he had been officially released from Ministry custody with his personal effects from fourteen years ago and adoption documents that only needed to be signed burning a hole in his pocket. Instead, he found himself Apparating to the outskirts of Godric's Hollow in Hereford. His chest clenched as he appeared in front of the wrought iron gate that had once belonged to Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. The cursive P embossed in the center of the gate looked dirty so Sirius rubbed the hem of his shirt along it to buff it up a bit, wiping off the grime that clung to the metal. Once satisfied, he pushed the gate open, causing it to squeak. His legs moved as though led by some invisible force to the house he hadn't been to since the Potters had died.
The house was still in immaculate condition. James hadn't been in the right frame of mind to clean out the house and sell it before he died. Instead, he had hired a company that rented out house-elves to come clean the house once every two weeks. He had set up the automatic withdrawal from his parents' vault and apparently the service had continued even in James' death. Sirius thought it'd be prudent to continue it until Harry could decide what he wanted to do with the house.
Turning into the parlor, Sirius stilled when he saw the family picture over the fireplace. Sirius blinked, his eyes stinging as he saw himself at twenty with his longer hair and clean-shaven face standing next to Fleamont, bent down to talk to a very young Harry in James' arms. Sirius beamed at the child, who gripped his finger in his tiny hand not even bothering to look at the camera. Harry had just started to hold his head up on his own at this point in time and he shoved everything in his mouth. His favorite thing to chew on had been fingers and Sirius always lent him one of his own. Lily stood next to James, laughter clear on her face. Euphemia stood next to her, a glint in her eye. It was the last family photo that had been taken of them. Sirius had just been ecstatic to be included. No matter how many times the Potters had called him son or said he was family, it had always made his stomach squirm with joy when they were sure to include him in such intimate affairs.
Sirius sank down into the sofa across from the fireplace, his eyes never leaving the photo. He wished it was a portrait so he could talk to them, seek their advice. Sirius' gaze stilled on Fleamont. Letting out a shaky breath, Sirius realized that the person he wished to talk to more than anyone in the entire world right now was Fleamont Potter. He'd give anything to have a ten-minute chat with him.
"Tell me what to do," Sirius whispered, his eyes burning a hole into Fleamont's picture. "I don't know what to do. Harry… he's… I can't get him the help he needs. I've been working with him every single day to help him master Occlumency but it's not clicking yet for him. He's scared to sleep, he's barely eating, and he's always getting hurt. Am I doing something wrong? Am I on the wrong path with him?"
No response came in the eerily quiet house. Sirius could only hear his own ragged breathing. He just needed guidance, for someone to tell him what to do. Because he didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to help Harry, even if he was a free man.
Harry could close off his senses fairly quickly. As soon as Sirius would invade his mind, he would close his eyes and place his hands over his ears. Sirius could see the image fade and the noise lessen to a hum. But Harry had only successfully forced him out once, pushing until he had invaded Sirius' mind. He wasn't consistent with it, and he had never stopped Sirius from entering his mind to begin with.
That was the least of their concerns. The more pressing matter revolved around Lord Voldemort having Horcruxes hidden… well, anywhere. Sirius knew his family had helped Voldemort, perhaps even helped to hide them. There was no doubt in his mind about that. Walburga had been infatuated with Voldemort and sang his praises. It wouldn't surprise Sirius to find out that the two of them were intimate at one point or another. The way his mother fawned over him had been more than disgusting.
He had started to shift through his own memory days ago from his childhood, his eyes and ears open for even a whisper of the word Horcrux. Sirius knew his parents had discussed it, could remember wondering what that word even meant for the longest time. But his mind was muddled from Azkaban and his memory was not what it used to be. He couldn't pinpoint the memories to save his life, not even being able to remember the context or the time frame of when he had first heard the word. It was like looking for one Snitch in a crowded city. It could be anywhere, hiding behind anything.
Harry was at risk as long as those Horcruxes were out there. Harry was at risk until Lord Voldemort was dead. For the first time since Voldemort rose from that cauldron, Sirius worried that Harry wouldn't make it out of the war alive. It had been a thought plaguing his mind, slowly seeping into his every-day thoughts more and more often.
Sirius turned his gaze to James in the picture. He looked so young and he wasn't completely depressed at that point. There was still an unwavering optimism about him that they would all be all right and Voldemort wouldn't touch a hair on Harry's head. That optimism had died on that cold December day when Fleamont passed away. The depression kicked in five days later when Euphemia passed. James had never been the same after his parents died. If Sirius was being honest with himself, he hadn't been either.
Sirius swallowed, his jaw clenching. "I'm adopting Harry. If he wants to, of course. I'm going to give him the option to say no thanks, even if I don't think he will. He's just… he's nearly sixteen. I was never given options at his age. Just told what to do or else face the wrath of Walburga. I want to give him options, have him be in control of something because he's in control of very little at the moment."
Sirius leaned back, sinking into the sofa that he had sat in for so many years, plotting with James or having late night chats with Fleamont. He had spent so much time laughing and also crying on that very sofa. It all seemed like a lifetime ago, like it was someone else's life he had been living. Sometimes, the past was hard to remember. Like some of his better memories had been permanently sucked out of his mind by the Dementors. Only the most depressing moments stood out like a sore thumb. A lot of the happiness was just… blank or so foggy that it often slipped through his fingers when he tried to focus on it.
"He's so much like all of you," Sirius continued to speak to the silence. "He is so fiercely loyal, James. I mean, that kid could do with not being so fucking loyal. Surprise, surprise, he's loyal to me for reasons I don't fully understand. What is it with you Potters wanting to be around us Blacks?" Sirius swallowed, his gaze daring to look at Lily. "He has your sass. He's a fucking little shit, you know that? The things that come out of his mouth sometimes, Merlin, Lily," Sirius said in an affectionate tone as he glanced at Euphemia. "He has your kindness, Mia. You know that, don't you? The kindest kid I have ever met in my life. He'd give the shirt off his back in an ice storm with little concern for himself." Finally, Sirius focused back on Fleamont. "He'd give you a run for your money in a duel, Fleamont. Remus says he's powerful. Just needs a bit of training and he'd be a force to be reckoned with."
None of them responded, which Sirius hated. He didn't want to be staring at a picture, but rather the real people so badly. They just continued to smile and coo over baby Harry with his wild black hair and big smile on his face. James' hand hovered behind Harry's head, still nervous that the baby was one quick movement away from seriously hurting his neck. Harry's fist jerked towards his mouth, his little fingers still coiled tightly around Sirius' pointer finger as he tried to shove it in his mouth.
Sirius stared at his younger self and sneered, his fingers tapping on the arm of the sofa. "You… well, I just fucking hate you. You're a fuck up. You ruined everything. You're the reason they're all dead. You're the reason Harry lived with the Dursleys and was abused his entire life. There you are… just laughing and smiling and not knowing just how much you're going to hurt everyone you ever cared about. What is wrong with you? I wish you had died. You didn't deserve to be the one that lived."
A lone, angry tear slid down Sirius' face. He quickly wiped it away and tore his gaze away from his younger self. Fleamont was who he wanted more than anyone.
"Tell me how to fix everything, Fleamont," Sirius whispered, his voice hoarse. "I just want to do right by Harry but I don't know what to do. I… I feel like I'm drowning and I'm pulling Harry right down with me. I'm supposed to make his life better, right? Guide him and protect him. I feel like I'm not doing that. But I don't know how to do that. And… you can't answer me. Of course, you can't. You're fucking dead and I'm talking to a picture."
Sirius sighed, hitting his head against the back of the sofa and looking up at the ceiling. His chest heaved as his as he looked around the room. It was like he was sitting in a Pensieve memory. Any moment, he expected his teenage self and James to barrel into the room with laughter ringing on their lips. But the ghosts of his past never made an appearance. Sirius didn't know whether to be grateful or disappointed by that.
Harry had been anxious all day to the point where Ginny's warm smile didn't even calm him. He had just wanted to be left alone so he had locked himself in Fred and George's old room. Perching himself on the bench in front of the bay window, he waited for Sirius to appear outside the Burrow. A sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach said Sirius wouldn't come back and he'd never be able to see him again. The time ticked by, but Harry didn't stop watching and waiting for his godfather to come back.
A knock sounded on his door but he didn't answer. He didn't want to speak to anyone, because the thought of losing Sirius made him want to crumble on the ground and never get up again. Sirius had become like a father to him. Harry wasn't ready to go back to being parentless, shoved back into the unwelcome arms of the Dursleys. He wasn't ready to talk about that quite yet.
Despite Harry not calling for whoever it was to come in, the door opened anyway. Harry glanced over to see Remus stepping inside, shutting the door softly behind him. Remus offered him a tight smile but Harry just turned back to look out the window once more.
"Dumbledore wouldn't have given up Sirius' location or put the Weasleys at risk if it wasn't a done deal," Remus said, his back leaning against the door and his arms crossing over his chest. "Sirius will be fine."
Harry swallowed, his eyes searching the dirt road. "I'll never forgive him if Sirius winds up back in Azkaban or if he's kissed."
"I'd have a hard time forgiving Dumbledore as well," Remus assured him as he crossed the room. "But Gawain Robards is in the Order of the Phoenix. Having the Head Auror know he's innocent is… well, that's major."
Harry only nodded because the lump lodged in his throat was too large to speak properly. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass.
"If Sirius can be declared innocent, well, Sirius is a massive asset to the Order," Remus continued, his shoulder leaning against the wall next to the window. "Being a Black, he has access that nobody else has to manors and accounts that are protected by blood."
"I don't care about that," Harry whispered.
Really, he didn't. Harry never quite understood how Sirius could put the past behind him and continue to work for the Order after every single member had turned their back on him and believed him to be a Death Eater and murderer. Harry didn't know if he'd be so forgiving, because he was struggling right now himself.
Remus nodded. "No, I suppose you don't."
Harry let out a sigh, hoping Remus would get the hint that he didn't want to talk to anyone but Sirius at the moment.
"I remember when I met you when you were first born," Remus said, taking a seat across from Harry. "I met you when you were about a week old. I couldn't come sooner because I was out with a werewolf pack collecting intel. I remember walking into the Hollow and Sirius just bloody well hogged you. He never wanted to let you go, which Marlene told me that was going to be the status quo because he barely allowed her to hold you as well."
Harry glanced over at him. "The Hollow?"
A pained expression crossed Remus' face. "It's what your parents called their home in Godric's Hollow. They were very original, as you can tell," Remus explained, a tight smile crossing his features. "But, uh, anyway, I just… I get it. I understand why you're upset. When Sirius saw you again in the Shrieking Shack, I could tell he felt like no time had passed at all. The look on his face, well, I had seen it plenty of times before. You seemed to take to him immediately, just like you had as a baby. James used to joke that Sirius was your favorite person and said he'd be jealous if you weren't his son."
Harry sucked his bottom lip between his teeth, letting the words wash over him. He remembered his dad saying something similar in the memory he had seen during one of his Occlumency lessons with Sirius, the one where he had successfully pushed Sirius out of his mind and then invaded his.
Remus sighed. "I'm sorry, I just wanted to reassure you that everything would be all right."
"Thanks," Harry replied, feeling slightly awkward.
"You know, Sirius always tells me that I, uh, I keep you at arms' length," Remus said, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not just you that I feel the need to keep away. I do it to everyone, afraid of how their association with a werewolf may affect them. I was very adamant in school that I was not going to become close with anyone. James and Sirius, well, they had larger-than-life personalities. James, particularly, had a problem with collecting strays: the abused heir to a prominent family, the lonely werewolf, and the half-blood whose dad beat him. James was the mother hen of the group, so fiercely protective of us all. James was the first one to throw a punch for any of us."
"I don't care that you're a werewolf," Harry felt the need to clarify, his gaze snapping to Remus. "I don't think my reputation can get any worse. I'm a liar and an attention-seeker. Add in friends with a werewolf and, well, I think that's the least of peoples' concerns."
Remus smiled softly, a low chuckle escaping his lips. "You are very much James' son," Remus commented, reaching out and patting Harry on the ankle. "Luckily for you, I think your reputation is about to turn around given the fact that it's now reported that Voldemort is alive."
Harry gave a half-shrug. "Wasn't that great before either. Everyone thought I was the heir of Slytherin and a trouble maker. I've heard people whisper about how I get away with things that nobody else would just because I'm famous. I don't think many people actually like me."
"Well, I certainly know how that feels," Remus replied as he leaned back as though becoming comfortable. "Sirius definitely knows how that feels."
Harry shifted on the bench, turning his body fully towards Remus. "Can I ask you a question?"
Remus hesitated for a brief moment before he nodded. "I'll do my best to answer."
"Why did you think Sirius was the spy all those years ago?" Harry asked, wincing as the words left his mouth. "I mean, did you even think for a moment he was innocent? Didn't you want to talk to him to get the full story?"
Remus sucked in a breath, his mouth gaping for a few seconds before he actually spoke. "Look, Harry, times were… different back then. Sirius was… well, he was quite different back then than he is now. Sirius was more reckless and more rash when we were younger. He often spoke before he thought. He had a lot of baggage with his family, often hiding a large chunk of his life from everyone. I know you know about how Sirius told Snape how to access the Whomping Willow when we were kids and how I would have killed Snape if it wasn't for your dad. I suppose I forgave him but never forgot. I was always waiting for Sirius to betray me again, to say or do something unthinkable. The trust between us had completely shattered and the doubts only built during the war. We knew someone close to your parents was providing Voldemort with information. The pool of who was the closest with them was small. The seeds of distrust were just plenty."
"Do you trust him now?" Harry asked, curiosity getting the best of him.
"I would say I am closer to Sirius now than I have ever been in my life," Remus explained. "I suppose we were both closer to James, both considering him our best mate. I knew Sirius was James' best mate, and I wasn't upset by that. But James was my best mate. I went to him over the others. Now, with James gone, I think we are both leaning on each other. I, well, I personally have found out some stuff about Sirius' childhood that makes it easier for me to understand why he acted the way he acted. I think that has helped our relationship tremendously."
Harry nodded, thinking about how he had seen Lord Voldemort talking to Sirius so casually at thirteen at the dining room table. It had been a shock to his system. While he was aware that Sirius had been raised by a dark family, he never would have expected the familiarity between Voldemort and the Blacks. It made his stomach roll with nausea.
"I saw a memory with Voldemort dining with the Blacks," Harry admitted. "Dumbledore made him show me."
Remus nodded. "Ah, yes, I learned that years after it happened. It wasn't the first nor the last time that Voldemort had been invited into the Black home from my understanding. Your grandfather was extremely protective of Sirius because of that."
Harry swallowed. "In the memory I saw, my grandfather told Sirius not to go near Voldemort. They went to pick him up but I didn't see that part. Sirius said it wouldn't be a good first memory to see of my grandparents as they had been so angry."
Remus laughed. "There were very few times I saw your grandparents angry, but they did all seem to revolve around Sirius. You know, before they died, your grandparents were in the Order. Fleamont was one of the first members back when we were still at school. He was the one who recruited us all into the Order."
Harry's brow furrowed, wondering why Sirius had never told him that before. "Really?"
"Oh, yeah," Remus replied. "James knew about the Order for years, but never mentioned it to any of us. Well, actually, I'm sure Sirius knew because after Christmas of our fifth year, he never went back to Grimmauld Place. But I hadn't the foggiest idea about it until Fleamont invited us all over the summer after our seventh year."
"Was my grandfather close to Professor Dumbledore or something if he was one of the first members?" Harry asked.
An odd look crossed Remus' face, his lips parting just slightly. His eyebrows raised as his mouth hung open.
"They knew each other," Remus replied cryptically, his hand waving to dismiss the question which only made Harry frown. "Anyway, Dumbledore won't let anything happen to Sirius. I'm sure of it. He needs Sirius."
Harry frowned. "But-"
"It'll be fine, Harry," Remus interrupted, a tight smile on his face. "I have to go for a bit, but Molly is downstairs if you need anything. I'm sure Sirius will be back before you know it."
Harry only scowled, his head shaking. "Yeah, all right."
Remus offered him another forced smile and a nod of the head before he left the room, closing the door behind him. Harry couldn't help but feel like there was something purposely being kept from him, something that involved Professor Dumbledore and his family. Harry couldn't even begin to comprehend what it could be. That angered him more than he was willing to admit.
Time ticked by. Harry grew restless by the window, disappointed the longer he didn't see his godfather return. Harry leaned back against the wall, his eyes closing as the anxiety prickled all over his insides.
Harry jerked when he heard another knock on his door. He glanced at the window to see it was now dark out. Had Sirius never returned? Sitting up, Harry called for whoever was there to enter. He turned his attention towards the door, his heart hammering in his chest as he willed it to be Sirius.
When the door opened and Sirius popped his head in, Harry felt a rush of relief wash over his body. He jumped off the windowsill and dashed towards his godfather. Sirius entered the room, shutting the door behind him before he made his way towards Harry with his arms open.
Harry collided against his godfather's chest, his eyes screwing shut. He had been truly afraid he would never see Sirius again. His meeting with the Ministry had been all he had thought about all day. The longer Sirius was away, the surer Harry had become that Sirius had been thrown in to Azkaban, or worse… kissed.
"Cleared of all charges," Sirius supplied, answering the unasked question. "Got in a spot of trouble for being an unregistered Animagus but they think I've suffered in Azkaban enough so they let it slide. I had to register and backdate it, but that's fine."
Harry tightened his grip around Sirius, his shoulders sagging to hear everything was all right. Sirius pulled back, and Harry felt disappointment swoop in his stomach. Sirius stepped back until they were an arm's length away, his fingers wrapping around Harry's shoulders.
"They offered me a lot of money to go public and thank the new Ministry for righting a wrong of the previous ones," Sirius explained. "A political ploy to gain favor among the masses. Which, I suppose they need right now after the past year with Fudge's incompetence."
"Did you take the deal?" Harry asked.
"Not for what they were offering," Sirius replied, a small smile crossing his features.
Harry furrowed his brows. "What do you want?"
"I don't know if you remember when we first met again after I escaped, but I offered you another home if you wanted," Sirius replied.
Harry's heart beat harsh in his chest as Sirius reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. He held it out to Harry. Accepting the parchment, he opened it and stared down at the words.
Harry couldn't breathe, his eyes zeroing in on that one word. Adoption.
"I just need to sign it and turn it in," Sirius explained. "But I wanted to double check this is what you wanted. There shouldn't be a hiccup with Petunia due to some archaic wizarding laws which work in our favor. Plus, she already signed you over to me for the summer anyway."
Harry glanced up at Sirius, tearing his eyes away from the adoption paperwork. "You really want to adopt me?"
Sirius nodded, his hands cupping Harry's cheeks. "That's been the plan for the past fourteen-odd years. I'm just sorry it took me so long to be able to do it."
Harry felt tears well in his eyes. He didn't bother to wipe them away when he saw Sirius had tears shining in his own eyes.
"It's all right," Harry croaked, sniffing.
"No, it's really not," Sirius insisted, letting out a long breath. "I live with a lot of regrets. I often spend my nights contemplating how I should have done things differently. The one thing I contemplate more than the rest is how I went after Peter instead of staying with you. It's a miracle you even give me the time of day after that."
Harry swallowed. "I don't blame you for anything that happened. I'm not upset with you for going after Peter."
Sirius nodded, though he didn't look convinced. "It wasn't for revenge, you need to know that. I went after Peter because I didn't know how much of the prophecy James told him when he asked him to be Secret Keeper. I was afraid for you. I wasn't thinking clearly. I'm so sorry, Harry."
A single tear rolled down Harry's cheek, and he quickly wiped that one away. "You're here now. That's all that matters."
A genuine grin flitted across Sirius' face as he held out his hand for the parchment. Harry handed it over as he watched his godfather's face closely. Crossing the room, Sirius sat the parchment down on the desk and pulled a quill from the container. Harry crossed the room to stand next to Sirius, watching as he signed and dated the adoption paperwork.
Harry couldn't help but smile, his gaze staring at the drying ink. They were finally a proper family.
"I'll have Arthur drop it off for me tomorrow," Sirius explained as he folded the parchment and placed it into his pocket. "I don't fancy going out right now until the news is plastered all over the papers and the wireless."
"I understand that," Harry replied, not being able to stop grinning.
Sirius pulled Harry into another hug, holding him close to his chest. "I love you, Harry."
Harry held his breath, his eyes screwing shut as he let the feeling of being wanted and loved wash over him. He had never said those three words to anyone before. But Harry had felt them. It was how he felt towards Ron and Hermione, his first ever friends. It how he felt towards Ginny, the girl who could warm his heart with only a smile. It was how he felt towards Sirius, the man who had finally given him the family he had always craved.
"I-I love you too, Sirius," Harry whispered, the words sounding so pleasant on his tongue.
Sirius pressed a kiss to the side of his head before pulling back, a wide grin plastered across his face. He gripped Harry's arms, his eyes searching his.
"I, uh, I had an idea," Sirius said. "I wanted your opinion first before I make any decisions."
Harry felt his chest swell with appreciation. Sirius was asking his opinion on something? Harry nodded without hesitation and Sirius gestured for them to sit down on the bed.
"When your parents found out about the prophecy, your grandfather helped your dad draw up a will," Sirius started, his gaze focused on his hands in his lap as he took a deep breath.
Harry's brow furrowed. Whatever he thought Sirius wanted to talk to him about, he certainly didn't think it would be about his parents' will. Truth be told, he had no idea what was even in the will except that Sirius and Marlene were named his guardians in the event of his parents' deaths.
"Besides guardianship over you, your dad named me as… well, he put me in control of all the Potter assets and real estate until you were of age," Sirius explained, looking up at Harry. "I was to manage them until you were able to. I was the only one listed in that role because I knew more about the accounts and properties than Marlene did. Except I haven't done anything with it for obvious reasons. Apparently, Dumbledore had quite a fight with the goblins to get you access to your trust account for school because I needed to sign off on it."
Harry stilled. "Trust account? Isn't that… well, I just assumed that was my parents' account."
Sirius chuckled. "No, Harry, that was your trust account they set up when you were born. Your parents had a separate account and James never did anything with your grandparents' account after they died. He always said that was a problem for after the war but, well…" Sirius sighed, his head shaking. "Anyway, James didn't sell his parents' house either. He took their deaths hard and he became a bit depressed after they died. With the prophecy and being in hiding, James just filed that under the too-hard-to-deal-with pile."
Harry could understand that. He often filed a lot of stuff under the too-hard-to-deal-with pile as well, hoping that things would either resolve themselves or somehow work out.
"Anyway, your dad paid to have your grandparents' house cleaned every two weeks," Sirius continued. "I stopped by after being cleared by the Ministry. It was in immaculate condition. I'm assuming the cleaning company had no problem in continuing to withdraw the coin from the vault and upkeep the house even after their client died. I didn't… I couldn't stop by your parents' place. Though Remus says it's been preserved in the state it was in on Halloween, wards preserving it like it's in a snow globe, so there's that. I can deal with it on a different date."
Harry blinked, his heart hammering in his chest as he remembered the quick peek he saw of the house with the roof blown off in Sirius' memory he snuck into. "Deal with it?"
Sirius nodded, his face grave. "Grab what's salvageable and… I don't know. If I never went to Azkaban, I probably would have had it demolished a long time ago in a bout of anger. But I suppose you can decide what to do with it."
Harry didn't want the house that his parents had died in, the house where he was marked as the Boy Who Lived, the house where Sirius had sobbed over his father's dead body, the house where he lost everything. He was glad Sirius felt the same way.
"I don't want it," Harry whispered.
Sirius nodded. "I'll deal with it, all right? You shouldn't have to. I was supposed to do this a long time ago."
Harry supposed he should tell Sirius not to worry about it but honestly, he was grateful. He wanted nothing to do with the house.
"Is that, err, my opinion you wanted?" Harry asked. "About what to do with my parents' house?"
Sirius cleared his throat. "No, actually, I wanted your opinion on your grandparents' house."
"All right…?" Harry trailed off, his brows furrowing.
"Grimmauld is no longer safe to go back to, not after Kreacher told my darling cousins all about it being headquarters to the Order," Sirius explained. "It's just not safe to go back there. While Voldemort didn't break the Fidelius, there's no saying what he'll do next in order to gain access to it. So, I had the thought, if you're willing, of putting your grandparents' home under the Fidelius and holding meetings there. It's located on the outskirts of Godric's Hollow in Hereford. I daresay, Fleamont would approve of the use, but don't feel obligated to say yes. It's your family home and you should get a say in what's done with it."
Harry chewed on the inside of his cheek. He never in his wildest dreams imagined that he'd be able to see where his dad grew up, where his grandparents lived. Knowing it was well-preserved and taken care of made him eager to see it.
"Will I be allowed to go there too?" Harry inquired. "I mean, I know I'm not allowed in the meetings, but could I go to the house during the meetings this summer? I want to see it."
Sirius forced a smile on his lips. "I'll let Dumbledore know that he has to allow you to go weekly with me in the summer if he wants it as headquarters. It's nonnegotiable."
Harry nodded, his stomach swooping at the possibility. "Brilliant. Yeah, yeah, that sounds fine then. I just want to go."
"I'll make it happen then." Sirius assured him. "I would want Dumbledore to be Secret Keeper, of course, if that's all right with you."
"Yeah, I suppose so," Harry replied, his mind wandering to what Remus had said earlier about his grandfather and Fleamont. "Sirius… I was talking to Remus earlier. He said, well, he talked about how my grandfather recruited all of you into the Order."
Sirius narrowed his eyes as he nodded. "He did. We were eighteen. Fresh out of Hogwarts."
"Remus got all… well, weird when I asked him if my grandfather was close to Dumbledore," Harry pressed. "He left shortly after."
Sirius sucked in a breath, his head leaning to the left. "Fuck it. I don't care anymore. Yes, Dumbledore and Fleamont were very close. The Dumbledores and the Potters were two very prominent families that resided in Godric's Hollow for centuries. Dumbledore and your great-grandfather Henry were best mates, were in the same year at Hogwarts together and in the same house. They were inseparable."
Harry blinked, not quite expecting that revelation. "Really?"
"In fact, Dumbledore was named Fleamont's godfather. James grew up with him always around. They were close as well. James trusted him implicitly. In fact, during our first year, it was quite an adjustment for James to switch from calling him Albus to Professor Dumbledore. That's how bloody close they were."
The room seemed to still around him, the information crashing into him. He didn't know what to think or how to feel about it all. Dumbledore had never said nor indicated any of that before. But then… Harry gulped. Dumbledore had been in possession of his dad's Invisibility Cloak when he had died. Dumbledore had allowed a large group of teenagers fresh out of school into his secret organization, teenagers all close to James. Dumbledore had helped hide his family once the prophecy was revealed to potentially be about Harry. Dumbledore had sent Hagrid to Godric's Hollow to retrieve him when his parents died. Not the Ministry, but Dumbledore took it upon himself to concern himself with an orphaned baby. Dumbledore had let Sirius rot in prison, not even going to speak with him in the aftermath and just assuming he was guilty. Dumbledore helped Sirius escape, helped Sirius hide, and had argued with Sirius over where Harry should spend the summer.
"He never told me," Harry whispered.
"I know," Sirius replied, his head shaking. "I've been telling him for a while to tell you. He asked me not to tell you, that he would on his own terms and with time. But he never did."
A thought sparked in the back of his mind. It seemed like the Potters cared very deeply about assigning godfathers. His dad must have had one as well.
"Who was my dad's godfather?" Harry inquired. "Is he still alive?"
A look of complete and utter disgust worked its way onto Sirius' face. "Oh, he's alive and a fucking arsehole."
Harry blinked, not at all expecting that reaction. "Who is he?"
"Fergus Belby," Sirius replied with contempt dripping off his words. "He's a healing potioneer, made a lot of breakthroughs in the healing community. His son Damocles went into the field as well. Damocles was Fleamont's godson. Well, Damocles had a friend who was bitten by a werewolf and he wanted to help her. He confided this to Fleamont who told him he had a special interest in helping werewolves as well, because of Remus. Damocles started working on the Wolfsbane Potion, often consulting Fleamont and bouncing around ideas with him. The two worked tirelessly for years until one day Damocles figured it out. Fleamont didn't want any of the credit, said it wasn't him who came up with the breakthrough needed to make it successful. Damocles took the credit, but he thanked Fleamont personally for being his sounding board for years about it. Well, old Fergus thought that Fleamont had a lot more to do with it than that and was basically handing Damocles the discovery to help make a name for himself. Fergus thought that Fleamont should have worked with him on the potion, at least that's what your grandfather thought. James thought maybe Fergus was just upset that Damocles went to Fleamont and not him and took it out on Fleamont. I don't know what the issue was, but Fleamont and Fergus had a massive falling out. Fergus basically washed his hands of James as well when James wouldn't take his side in the argument."
"That's… awful," Harry said lamely, not knowing what else to say. He didn't know what he would do if Sirius ever washed his hands of him. The thought made him sick to his stomach.
Sirius nodded in agreement. "Fergus was a fucking wanker. He never showed up to your grandfather's funeral. I asked Andy about him last summer, curious if he had gone to your parents' funeral. It's not a surprise that he didn't."
"Andy went to my parents' funeral?" Harry questioned, not knowing that she knew them that well.
"She did. She went to Fleamont and Euphemia's as well," Sirius confirmed. "After I ran away from home, Fleamont and Euphemia were wonderful. They would invite Andy and Ted to their house for holidays and for dinners so that I could see them more. James was rather fond of Dora, always laughing at her transformations. We used to mind her sometimes at your grandparents' house. Dora adored your dad, obsessed with his glasses funnily enough. She was even the flower girl at your parents' wedding. She had been five at the time, nearly six. I asked her once if she remembered the wedding or James, but she didn't."
Harry couldn't help but feel like he had lost so much. His childhood would have filled with people from both the Potter and Black families if nobody had died or been imprisoned. Disappointment flooded his veins at the very thought of what his life could have been like.
"Harry?" Sirius pressed, his hand touching the back of Harry's neck.
"I just… I didn't know any of that," Harry replied with a small shrug. "Is that why Andy said I was family to her?"
Sirius gave Harry's neck a squeeze. "Yeah, I mean, the Potters were good to her and to me. Andy appreciated and loved your grandparents. She used to joke that James was also her little cousin because we were like copies of one another. She used to take the two of us out to lunch during Hogsmeade weekends. Any holiday they didn't spend with Ted's family, they went to the Potters," Sirius explained in a thick voice. "You know, Molly and Arthur remind me so much of your grandparents. So warm and welcoming. Both so willing to let people into their family who need a family."
The comparison made Harry's heart swell. He certainly loved the Weasleys. To know that they were like his grandparents only made him happier than he could even put into words. It was like he knew his grandparents a bit through the Weasleys.
"Come on, let's go have some dinner," Sirius commented as he rose from the bed. "Molly said you haven't eaten all day and neither have I, honestly. I'm famished. She kept some leftovers for us."
For the first time all day, Harry's stomach growled at the mention of food. He stood up, his mind filled with so many thoughts that he had trouble sorting through them all. Sirius wrapped an arm around his shoulders, his hand rubbing along his bicep, as they made their way downstairs towards the kitchen.
Ginny walked in a dark forest, the black trees towering over her as they bent overhead of her so she couldn't see the sky. Her breaths came out in harsh huffs, her limbs shaking. The moonlight peaked through the canopy of trees above her in sharp beams of light. Looking down at her trembling hands, all she saw was blood. She didn't know where it came from, whose it was, or where she even was. She had been laughing with Demelza one minute and then in a dark pit the next.
"Ginevra," a low hissing voice slithered over her.
She turned around, her eyes locking with Tom's dark ones. He smiled at her, his white teeth shining in the cave of trees that surrounded them. Calmness washed over her as she stumbled towards him.
"Tom, there's blood," she whispered as she held up her hands. "I don't know what happened. I… I don't remember."
Tom took a step closer, his hands closing around hers. "It's all right. Nothing is there."
He wiped his hands over hers, the blood smearing on his hands. He stared into her eyes, the smile never leaving her face.
"Tom…" she gasped out, tears burning her eyes.
"Look, nothing there," Tom commented.
Ginny looked down but the bright red blood now coated both of their hands. Couldn't Tom see it? It was all over them.
"Tom, there's blood," she whispered, her head snapping up to look at him once more.
"Ginevra, it's just the shadows playing tricks on your mind. There is no blood. I promise you. Would I lie to you?" Tom insisted. "You're just tired and seeing things. Nothing happened. There's no blood."
Confused, Ginny shook her head. Her hands were bright red and it was blood. Why was he saying she was too tired? She didn't even feel sleepy. She was wide awake and scared and Tom was dismissing her.
Ginny swallowed, her eyes staring so hard at her hands that they soon became blurry. "Tom, please just look. I'm not, I'm not tired."
"THERE IS NO BLOOD!" Tom roared, taking a step back from her.
Ginny snapped her attention up, her wide eyes staring at Tom before her. He no longer looked young and handsome. His eyes became slits and his skin waxy. His lips tugged down into a menacing sneer as he grew in height to loom over her. Ginny let out a sob, cowering in front of him.
"I'm sorry! Please, Tom, I'm sorry!" Ginny sobbed. "You're right. There's no blood. I'm sorry. I was, I was… please."
Tom shrunk in size, his face returning to normal and the bright charming smile graced his features once more. Ginny fell to her knees, bile rising in her throat as she shook violently. Tom knelt down in front of her, his long fingers brushing against her cheek.
"You mustn't lie, Ginevra," Tom whispered, grabbing her wrists and pulling her bloodstained hands up for her to see. "Nothing is there."
"No-nothing is there," Ginny repeated, her eyes trying to see past the red that stained her hands. "You're right, Tom. I'm so sorry for lying."
"It's all right, Ginevra. I forgive you," Tom assured her, his smile blinding. "You're just a silly little thing, aren't you?"
Ginny felt very little and silly indeed. Her eyes flickered back to her hands, willing to not see the red anymore but it wouldn't go away. She had to feel tired.
"Ginny?"
Ginny perked up at the voice, a smile tugging on her face. Tom only growled, his grip tightening around her wrists until it started to hurt.
"Tom, stop," Ginny pleaded.
"GIN!" the voice called again. "GIN!"
Ginny started to struggle against Tom. Her eyes frantically looked around for the voice. Then, a burst of light and two trees fell. Harry stepped out between them, his wand up.
"Gin!" Harry called, rushing towards her.
"Harry!" Ginny breathed out, relief flooding her.
There was no doubt in her mind that Harry would see the blood. He would believe her. He always believed her. Tom's fingers unwrapped from her wrists, his hand reaching into his robe. He pulled out a thin white wand, his arm snapping to point at Harry. Before she could say or do anything, a bright green light emitted from the tip.
"GI-" Harry started to yell but couldn't finish getting the word out.
The green light hit Harry square in the chest. He fell backward, his face twisting in surprise. His body hit the ground with a dull thump. A scream rose up her throat, his name on the tip of her tongue when…
Ginny bolted up in bed, a strangled scream escaping her lips. Her eyes snapped around her bedroom at the Burrow. She tried to calm her racing heart, her hand pressing against her chest. She was certain her chest would burst open at any second. There was no way she would be able to go back to bed, not after watching Harry…
Ginny swallowed, tossing the covers off her. Her bare feet hit the hardwood floor and she knew she couldn't stay in bed any longer. Perhaps a cup of tea would calm her nerves and maybe Sirius would be up to talk to. Stepping out of her room, she saw the glow of light from downstairs, but she didn't walk down to the ground floor. Instead, she found herself unconsciously making her way up the flight of stairs. She saw Sirius' bedroom door wide open. He was up and must have been downstairs. Just like always. Except, she paused when she looked at the door where Harry was sleeping. It was shut, so he wasn't with Sirius.
Without thinking, she padded quietly over to his room and slowly opened the door. She could see the outline of his body underneath the covers. The door closed with a soft snap behind her and the body jerked underneath the covers. Ginny could barely make out his torso and head in the dark as he sat up in bed.
"It's me," Ginny whispered in a lame tone. "Ginny."
He didn't say anything right away, so she moved into the room. His body leaned, his hand reaching on the bedside table. A soft light burst to life. He grabbed his glasses and slid them on his face.
"Are you all right?" he asked in a low voice.
Ginny nodded as she stopped beside his bed. "I had a bad dream. Can I…" she trailed off, her bottom lip sliding between her teeth as she looked down at the mattress.
All she wanted in that moment was to be in his arms, to feel his heart beat. Her gaze flickered to his torso, right where his heart would be. He was shirtless.
Harry glanced over at the bedroom door for a split second before he turned his attention back to her. "Err…"
He hesitated only a moment, before he tossed the thin covers off his body to reveal his checkered Gryffindor pajama bottoms. He scooted to the edge of the bed before standing up. Without wasting a second, he pulled her against his chest. One hand tangled in her hair as the other secured itself tightly around her shoulders. Her arms snaked around his waist, her ear pressing against his chest. She could hear it thumping strong and steady. A long sigh of relief escaped her lips as she screwed her eyes shut.
Harry's chin rested against the top of her head. "Do you, uh, do you want to talk about it?"
Ginny swallowed, her arms tightening around his chest. "Tom murdered you."
Harry snorted, his hand rubbing her arm. "Well, he's tried and failed before so that should bring a bit of comfort."
Ginny's eyes opened, a smile tugging on her lips. "Your casualness about death is alarming, you know that, right?"
Harry shrugged his shoulders, his chin gliding against the top of her head until his cheek rested against her hair. "I mean, surviving the Killing Curse does instill a false sense of security."
Ginny chuckled. "You're impossible," she commented as she pulled out of his arms. "Are you tired?"
Harry shook his head. "Nah, I wasn't even sleeping when you came in. I have trouble ever since, well, you know."
Ginny's eyes searched his. "Do you want to grab some tea and talk?"
Harry's face fell as his left hand rose to show her the bracelet on his wrist. "I can't leave this floor without it going off, so I'm stuck until morning."
Ginny frowned. "Well, I think Sirius is downstairs because his door was wide open."
"I'd give him a bloody heart attack," Harry commented, his eyebrows raising above his glasses. "I've never set it off yet, but I'm sure the first time it happens he'll go completely bonkers with worry."
Ginny shoved him gently. "I'd go down and grab him."
Harry grinned. "Nah, that's just bloody awkward then. He'd make some comment about you in my room. Which, speaking of you in my room, are your parents going to get upset if they find out you were here at…" Harry glanced over at the clock on his bedside table and winced. "Two in the morning? Merlin, Ginny, it's really two?"
"It's not like we're doing anything but talking," Ginny replied, though she didn't think her parents would quite believe that.
Harry didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the issue. Tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, she realized she didn't want to leave quite so quickly. All she wanted to do was cuddle against his chest and talk until the early hours of the morning.
"Can we…" Ginny swallowed down her insecurities because it was Harry in front of her and Harry wouldn't laugh at her. "Can we just lay down and talk?"
Harry's eyebrows shot up, his green eyes searching hers. He glanced back at his bed, a soft pink creeping up his chest and neck.
"Uh, you want to… lie in bed and…" Harry trailed off, snapping his gaze back to her.
"Just cuddle and talk," Ginny confirmed, her bottom lip sucking between her teeth.
"Err, yeah, yeah, sure, that sounds, well, it sounds brilliant," Harry stammered as he sank down onto his bed before scooting over to give her room.
She sucked in a breath as she laid down beside him under the covers he held up for her. They laid vis-à-vis. Harry's glasses becoming crooked on his face as he settled his head on the pillow but he didn't' seem bothered by it. She reached out a hand and grasped his in hers.
"This is nice," she whispered.
Harry offered her a soft smile. "Yeah, it is. I, uh, I've never had a girl in my bed before."
Ginny laughed. "Yes, you have."
"I think I would remember that," Harry retorted, his thumb brushing against her knuckles.
"I was in your bed the night the Ministry was attacked," Ginny elaborated. "Remember we mirror called Sirius and we fell asleep?"
She omitted the part about how that was the first night he had ever become possessed. It was best not to sully that memory with something horrific. Realization dawned on Harry's face.
"Merlin, that's right. That's true," Harry said. "I sort of, err, I guess I forgot about that. Well, I amend my statement. You're the only girl I've ever had in my bed before."
Ginny arched an eyebrow. "Only girl? How many blokes?"
Harry chuckled. "Oh, just Ron. Trust me, I didn't want him there."
Ginny laughed, scooting her body closer to his until her nose was nearly touching his. "Why was Ron in your bed?"
"Uh, well, the first time-"
"First time?" Ginny repeated, her eyes alit with laughter.
Harry winced. "He had a nightmare about spiders trying to kill us in second year once," Harry explained with a shrug. "Then, in third year, after Sirius tried to stab Scabbers in his bed, well, the next night he wound up in my bed. It's always very uncomfortable."
Ginny laughed. "Merlin, I don't know whether I should be jealous of my brother or not right now."
Harry grinned. "Oh, you should be. I'm sorry, Ginny, but you're just a front. I really want to be with Ron."
Ginny let out a laugh so loud that Harry shushed her as he pressed his hand to her mouth to quiet her. His eyes sparkled as he leaned his head forward and pressed his lips against her forehead. Her insides melted.
"You'll wake the entire house," Harry whispered.
Ginny grinned against his hand before he pulled it away. "Well, don't make me laugh."
"I wasn't joking," Harry replied with a grin, rolling onto his back and propping one arm behind his head. "Unfortunately for you, I don't think it's unrequited either. Just waiting for the right time, so we're only temporary."
Ginny scooted closer to Harry, resting her head on his chest and slinging an arm around his stomach. "Probably for the best. I'm secretly in love with Demelza as well. This is just practice for me."
Harry chuckled, the arm underneath her bending so he could play with her hair. "Glad we're on the same page," Harry replied in a tired voice.
Ginny ran her nails along Harry's skin. "Me too."
Harry hummed in response. She continued to caress his chest and stomach until she heard soft sleeping noises. Content, she closed her eyes and welcomed sleep as well, feeling safe in his embrace and knowing no nightmares would plague her when she was with him.
Remus stepped outside of the Burrow to see Sirius laying in the grass, his arms propped behind his head, as he basked in the sunlight. Crossing the back garden, Remus made his way over towards Sirius and sat next to him. Sirius didn't even look at him, his gaze still focused on the sky above him.
"I missed the sun at Grimmauld," Sirius whispered, still not looking over at Remus. "It was dark and cold just like Azkaban. Being on the run was a lot better, even if I had to eat rats and other rodents. I definitely preferred that."
Remus cleared his throat, his own face turning towards the sky. "I guess I always took the sun for granted."
"Most people do," Sirius murmured.
Remus glanced down at his friend, his eyes searching his peaceful expression. Honestly, he didn't know the last time he had seen Sirius look so at peace. Certainly not in the past couple of years. If he was being honest with himself, not during the first war either. Maybe when they had first joined the Order and the promise of glory laid ahead of them.
"You file the adoption documents yet?" Remus asked.
"Yeah, Arthur took it in for me," Sirius replied. "I know the kid traditionally takes the parent's name, though I won't make Harry suffer through that embarrassment of being a Black. But do you think it'd be acceptable to change my last name to Potter?"
Remus let out a laugh as Sirius' lips curved up. Finally, Sirius turned his head to glance up at him.
"I think Fleamont and Euphemia may just rise from their graves if you did," Remus mused, a wide grin on his face.
Sirius chuckled. "If only it was that easy, I'd do it in a second."
Remus didn't doubt it. He was quite certain if there was a way to bring back the dead, Sirius would have already done it. But magic had its limits. Necromancers had tried for centuries to bring back loved ones, but all they were able to achieve were monsters in familiar skin. What's dead should stay dead, as no good could ever come of it.
"You look good, Sirius. Freedom suits you," Remus said as he moved to lay down next to Sirius in the grass.
Sirius nodded, his gaze turning back to the sky. "Yeah, well, I think not being drunk twenty-four seven is helpful as well."
Remus frowned. "How's that withdrawal going?"
"Honestly, I thought it'd be way worse than it was," Sirius admitted in a thoughtful tone. "I think there was just so much going on with Harry that it lessened the symptoms. I could easily convince myself that the headaches and anxiety and bloody nauseousness were purely from worrying about Harry and lack of sleep. Made it more bearable somehow."
Remus snorted. "Yeah, only you could be a champion through alcohol withdrawal."
"I've had a lot of practice of drinking heavily to not drinking at all," Sirius mused, his face breaking out into a grin. "Plus, you know, there are potions for shit like that now."
Remus shook his head. "Let me guess, Molly brewed them for you."
"She's an absolute gem," Sirius admitted. "I don't know where she was my entire life. Walburga would have hated her which only makes it better in my mind. Could you imagine the look on her face if she knew I was best mates with a werewolf and a blood traitor Weasley? I mean, Cedrella got blasted off the family tree for marrying a Weasley."
Remus squinted, watching as the clouds passed overhead. "How was Cedrella related to you?"
Sirius let out a breath of air. "Fuck if I know. My great-grandfather was her uncle, maybe? I think. Arthur and I worked out that we're third cousins, if we did it right that is. It was so bloody confusing. We had to consult a chart in a genealogy book."
Remus laughed. "Well, at least one of your best mates is technically family. She reminds me of Euphemia," Remus added, tucking his arms behind his head.
"They would have loved each other," Sirius agreed. "Euphemia and Molly would have just gotten along fabulously."
Remus swallowed, his mind wandering to the Potter matriarch. "You know, I was nervous to go to the Potters for the first time after Hogwarts, when Fleamont invited us all over for a chat about the Order. I hadn't been over there in years because of, well, my dad and Fleamont fighting. I worried unnecessarily about it. Euphemia greeted me with a hug like no time had passed."
Sirius shrugged. "Wasn't because of your dad and Fleamont. It was because of me. Your dad always hated me and after the Snape thing… well, he thought I was a downright menace. So when the Potters all but adopted me, your dad just didn't want you around me."
"Yeah, well, we spent every waking moment together at Hogwarts so I don't know what he thought he was accomplishing," Remus admitted, a frown working on his face. He hadn't talked to his dad in months, truth be told. "But he wasn't technically wrong. You are a downright menace."
Sirius let out a loud, bark-like laugh. "Too true. I'm surprised you even forgave me."
"Yeah, well, watching James beat the absolute shit out of Regulus after what happened over Christmas clued me in that things were bad for you at home and you tend to lash out on everyone when you're upset," Remus admitted. "Plus, I forgave you but I never forgot. I was absolutely horrid to you during the first war."
Sirius let out a long sigh. "Yeah, well, I deserved it. I hate to admit it, but I think Azkaban did my ego some good. Very humbling experience."
Remus only nodded, because he didn't know what to say to that. Sirius was different since Azkaban. A lot less reckless and actually thought of others before himself for a change. Although, Remus seriously suspected the latter was solely based off his desire to do right by Harry.
"Can I ask you a favor?" Sirius asked, turning his head to look at Remus.
"Yeah, of course," Remus replied, mimicking Sirius.
Sirius licked his bottom lip, sucking in a deep breath. "Ginny wants to learn Occlumency. Ron too. Not that I mind helping them, but it's a lot to take on three kids on such a mentally taxing area of magic."
Remus winced, knowing it would be extremely taxing for Sirius even if he wasn't sleep deprived and stressed. While he didn't like the idea of breaking into the kids' minds, he knew it would be a skill that would serve them well, especially if Voldemort gained enough power to infiltrate the Ministry or if the war became messier. Voldemort had already expressed interest in Ginny. Now that she was dating Harry, it would only make her more popular in Voldemort's mind.
"I'll help you," Remus said with a sigh. "You know, Dumbledore has been teaching Marlene."
An odd look crossed Sirius' face. "Oh yeah?"
Remus nodded. "In case Bellatrix or someone tries to break her mind again. He also thought having complete control over her mind may help her regain her memories, but that doesn't seem to be working out too well."
Sirius let out a grunt. "I heard she's teaching at Hogwarts in the fall."
"Dumbledore wanted to offer her protection," Remus explained. "She's a little nervous to be teaching Potions but Andromeda said she'd help her."
Sirius only nodded, not saying anything. Marlene still seemed to be a sore subject after everything. Remus shifted, propping himself up onto his elbow so he could properly look at Sirius. Speaking of Andromeda, he remembered his conversation with Nymphadora the other day.
"Thank you, by the way," Remus said which only caused Sirius to give him a confused look. "For going to Andromeda on how to get me the best Wolfsbane. Dora told me she's brewing it personally because she doesn't trust the apothecary quality. Which, Fleamont never did either. He always brewed it."
Sirius nodded. "I know. James bought some for you after Fleamont died, but I know it didn't always work."
Remus stood up from the ground, brushing off his trousers because he was due to meet Nymphadora after she was done with work. "I have to go, but we can start tomorrow to train the kids, if you want."
Sirius arched an eyebrow at him. "Oh, where are you off to? You don't have any Order duties tonight."
Remus grinned, taking a step towards the wards so he could make a quick getaway. "Oh, you know… just going to take my girlfriend out on a date."
Sirius bolted up from the ground, his eyes wide. "Girlfriend? Are you dating Dora? Did you get your fucking head out of your arse?"
Remus just shrugged, taking another step back. "I think we prefer to keep it on the downlow."
"The fuck you are!" Sirius roared. "If you're not dating my cousin, then I'll bloody murder you myself! We're meant to be family, you wanker!"
Remus just grinned, so close to the edge of the wards. "See you later, potential future cousin."
"YOU FUCKING DID IT!" Sirius roared as Remus stepped out of the wards. "FINALLY!"
Remus waved quickly before he Apparated. He would entertain Sirius' questions later. No doubt Molly's as well. Sirius and Molly had been their biggest supporters, meddling every single chance they were able. Remus was secretly glad they did, because he had never been happier.
Here's the newest chapter! Don't forget to drop a review! The motivate me to keep writing, they inspire new ideas, and they just plain make me so very happy.
Special thanks to Bell for always being amazing!