"Alew"
"Chapter Six: Walburga"
Marlene woke with a jerk. Harry's screams for Sirius vibrated off the walls. No matter how many nights in a row she's heard him wake up from a nightmare screaming, it still shook her to her very core. No matter how happy and at ease Harry seemed during the day, the nights were just as bad as they had been the first night. Marlene knew they had to talk to someone about his night terrors. There was no way he could continue like this. There was no way they could continue like this.
Sirius rolled out of bed before Marlene could blink away the sleep that clung her mind. Her palms scrubbed her eyes when she heard a loud thump.
"Fuck!" Sirius hissed. "Fucking bloody…"
Marlene sat up in bed, squinting in the darkness. "Are you all right?" she asked, reaching for her wand so she could light up the room.
Harry's screams only grew louder as she waved her wand. Sirius leaned against the wall, balancing on one foot as he held the other one in his hands. His jaw feathered as he put his foot down and began to walk on the heel of his injured foot.
"Oh, bloody fucking fantastic," Sirius grumbled.
"What did you do?" Marlene pressed, throwing off the blankets in case he needed her help.
"Stubbed my toe on the bloody bedside table," Sirius commented, hobbling towards the door. "I'm bleeding by the way."
With that, Sirius disappeared into the hallway. Marlene sighed, waiting for Sirius to get back so she could take a look at his foot. Harry's sobs didn't cease, even though Marlene was certain Sirius would have reached him by this point. She leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse out of their bedroom door to see across the hall but couldn't. Harry's cries grew louder as Sirius appeared in the bedroom with him. Normally, Harry was calm by the time Sirius brought him into their room.
"Oh, love, did you have a bad dream?" Marlene asked, her eyebrows tugging down.
Sirius sat on the bed, settling Harry in his lap. The kid instantly curled into Sirius, his face burying into his godfather's bare chest. The child's shoulders shook violently as he sobbed. Extending his right leg, Sirius rested his foot next to her. Blood seeped out from underneath the nail of his big toe.
"How do I even heal a stubbed toe?" Marlene asked, looking up at Sirius.
Sirius pressed a hand against the back of Harry's head. "I don't know," he replied in an exhausted tone.
Harry quieted down, his tear-stained face turning so that he could peer at Marlene. She shot him a smile before turning back to Sirius' toe. Her finger brushed against it and a grunt sounded in the back of his throat. Merlin, he stubbed it good. She wouldn't be surprised if it was swollen and bruised the next day. Biting her lip, she placed the tip of her wand carefully against his toe and casted a Cooling Charm. Maybe the icy air would help with the swelling.
Harry sniffed loudly, his snotty nose wiping across Sirius' chest. If Sirius noticed or cared, he didn't say anything. Marlene glanced up at Harry to see the tears were still spilling down his cheeks even though his sobbing had finally quieted down.
"What's wrong, love?" Marlene asked, keeping her wand pressed gently against Sirius' toe. "You can tell Marly."
"Mama," Harry murmured, his eyes dropping to his lap as a string of nonsensical babbles slipped from his lips.
Marlene swallowed, not exactly sure if she was going about this the right way or not given his age. "You know, my mum died too. It makes me very, very sad thinking about her."
Harry peered over at Marlene, his green eyes wide and curious.
"It's okay to be sad and miss them," Marlene continued, taking her wand off Sirius' toe. "I know wherever they are, they're watching over you right now."
Marlene tossed her wand onto the mattress next to her. She scooted closer to Sirius and Harry, her hand reaching out to brush a fallen lock of hair off his forehead. Harry's scar stood out brightly on his pallid skin. Her gut twisted at the awful reminder of that Halloween night.
"I promise you, Sirius and I will always be here for you," Marlene assured him, hoping it was a promise she would be able to keep.
But her words didn't help matters. It was by far their worst night with Harry since Halloween. Harry refused to sleep, whimpering anytime Sirius tried to lay him on the mattress between them. For hours, Marlene drifted in and out of sleep as she listened to Sirius walking up and down the hallway with Harry. Sometimes, she heard his low rumble talking to Harry about everything and anything. Quidditch. Hogwarts. The grueling process of how to become an Animagus. The five exceptions to Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration. He even sang a few of his favorite songs from his favorite bands: Coven House, Howl at the Moon, and Vagabond Vampire.
Marlene overslept that morning, savoring the prolonged shuteye. She vaguely recalled Sirius and Harry finally settling into bed around four in the morning, the kid too exhausted to keep fighting sleep. Marlene wished she could see into his mind so she could know how to help him. Was it the deaths of his parents? Was it the frightening sight of Voldemort? Was it missing his parents? Was it all of the above? Marlene wanted nothing more than to take the pain away from her godson, but she didn't know how. Neither did Sirius.
Marlene rushed around the kitchen. Bagel with hazelnut spread and English breakfast tea in a thermos in hand, she rushed out the front door as quietly as she could so she didn't wake up Sirius or Harry. They had been curled up together in the middle of the bed the last she had seen.
Instead of breaking any curses in the mountain of objects in her office, she decided to work on paperwork for the day. She was far too exhausted to even attempt to use any complex magic. Or think too intensely about anything really. Besides, she couldn't help but let her mind wander to Harry. She wondered how long he slept, how he was when he woke up, what he was doing with Sirius. With a huff, she tossed the Yaxley folder onto the floor.
A knock sounded at her office door. Marlene sighed before she called for them to enter. She hoped it was Bancroft. Marlene had been meaning to talk to him about the Shafiq artifact that Moody had presented her last week. She had been unable to make any progress on what she suspected contained a self-made curse. Moody had been on her arse about breaking it for him. Looking up when the door creaked, Marlene froze when she came face-to-face with Walburga Black. She entered the room, sliding her gloves off her hands before folding them neatly to put in her robe pocket.
"Hello," Walburga greeted with the same stoic expression that often resided on Sirius' face. "May I have a moment of your time?"
Marlene stood up, adjusting her work robes in an attempt to hide her baby bump. "What can I do for you, Mrs Black?" she asked, polite as could be, rounding her desk to close the space between them.
Marlene couldn't deny that Walburga intimidated her slightly. Every single Black she had ever met carried themselves with an easy sort of arrogance and an air of superiority. Even Sirius fell victim to it whenever he was around strangers or acquaintances. Merlin, Marlene had even seen Peter cower before Sirius before when he thought his friend – his ex-friend was being dim.
"I was hoping we could speak about my son," Walburga explained, clasping her hands in front of her. "My attempts to contact him have gone left unanswered. I stopped by Alphard's old cottage and it seems as though nobody has been there for a while. As embarrassing as it is to admit, I haven't the faintest idea where he could be."
Marlene sucked in a breath. "We are at a secure location," she settled on saying. "It was a must with Harry living with us."
"Ah, yes, the Potter child," Walburga said in an odd tone that Marlene couldn't place. "I must admit, my harsh words to Sirius about the child were misplaced. I hold some grudges against the Potter family for taking my son away from me. I projected those hard feelings on an innocent child. That was wrong of me. When I saw Sirius with him at the custody hearing, I realized my mistake."
Marlene didn't know what to make of Walburga. From the way Sirius spoke of her, she seemed like evil incarnate. But the woman standing in front of her now seemed like an old-fashioned pureblood who was coming to terms with changing times. Marlene couldn't help but search for remorse in her words.
"Harry means everything to Sirius," Marlene explained in a gentle tone. "He takes his role as godfather very seriously."
Walburga lifted her chin. "Yes, that has been made quite apparent. Did you receive my gifts?"
Marlene held her breath. Sirius had tossed everything in the bin on Boxing Day. It was all long gone. Even Harry's star gift was gone. Marlene nodded, a tight smile crossing her face. Walburga needn't know where the gifts wound up.
"They were lovely, thank you," Marlene settled on saying. "Naming a star for Harry so close to Canis Major was really thoughtful. Sirius talks a lot about his Uncle Alphard and how they would stargaze together all the time when he was a child."
"Yes, my brother and Sirius were impossibly close," Walburga agreed. "I think it is safe to say that Alphard was Sirius' favorite person when he was small. We spent our summers at his holiday home in France. Alphard used to conjure fish for the children and allow them to name them. Sirius enjoyed it immensely. Although Alphard could have given him a pet rock and Sirius would have been enthralled because it was from his uncle."
Marlene chuckled. Sirius didn't often talk about his childhood. The stories she had heard were mostly from Andromeda, who loved to embarrass and tease Sirius about when they were younger. While Sirius always spoke highly of his Uncle Alphard, he let his distaste known for his family's antiqued ideologies and how his parents had been emotionally unavailable. There seemed to be a coldness on Sirius' part that didn't match with Andromeda's slight fondness. More often than not, Andromeda seemed to be more nostalgic than Sirius was.
"I was hoping you could convince Sirius to meet with me," Walburga asked as she took a step forward, her fingers reaching out to brush Marlene's hair behind her shoulder gently. "I admit, I was not the best mother. I was raised within a system, not a family," she explained, trailing her hand down Marlene's arm. "My own parents were harsh on me so that I could be the best version of myself. In hindsight, I see that Sirius does not respond well to that kind of pressure. Sadly, I knew nothing else. I didn't understand how to be gentle. I realize now that was what Sirius craved. A gentleness that I didn't know how to provide him at the time. I would love the chance to do better by Sirius, as well as be there for you, Harry, and your little one."
Marlene smiled politely. "Mrs Black–"
"Walburga," she insisted in a saccharine voice. "You are my future daughter, are you not?"
"Walburga," Marlene corrected, tilting her chin up just slightly in a useless attempt to match her height. "I adore your son. He is one of the kindest, smartest, and funniest wizards I have ever met. I also recognize him to be one of the most stubborn wizards I have ever met. Sirius and I get along so well because we don't tell each other what to do. We respect each other's autonomy and trust that we will make decisions with the other one in mind. The most I will do is tell him you stopped by and requested this. I won't try to convince him or force him into doing something he doesn't want to do. You need to recognize that some wounds take time to heal. Others don't heal at all. Some mistakes may be easy to forgive but impossible to forget."
Walburga offered Marlene a closed-mouth smile, her hand pressing against the side of her baby bump. "You cannot blame a witch for wanting to meet her grandchildren."
Marlene held her breath, her gaze flickering down to where Walburga's hand caressed the side of her belly. The touch felt wrong for reasons she couldn't explain.
"I didn't mean what I said about Harry," Walburga insisted, her thumb brushing against Marlene's bump. "I would accept him into this family, embracing him as a grandson. Seeing Sirius acting so parental towards him really made me see reason. It made me appreciate my son's kind heart."
Walburga's hand dropped from Marlene's stomach. A breath Marlene didn't know she was holding escaped her lips in a low huff.
"Harry is very important to us," Marlene whispered, taking a step back. "I wouldn't expect a miracle overnight. Sirius and I put his safety and wellbeing above everyone else."
"Like any good parent would," Walburga agreed with a tight smile, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a black velvet box. "I was given this by a very dear friend of mine," she said as she held out the box. "It brought me immense comfort when my family started to fall apart. It helped to ground me in a way I was surprised by. I hope it will bring you as much comfort as it brought me."
Marlene opened the box to see a gold bracelet with alternating emeralds and diamonds. The clasp caught her attention. It was an ouroboros. The eyes of the snake were emeralds and Marlene could have sworn it blinked at her.
"It's a very old and precious piece of jewelry from the Gaunt family," Walburga explained. "One of the few things heirlooms the family didn't squander away, or perhaps it was and found decades later. Either way, I'd like you to have it."
Marlene swallowed, snapping the box shut. "I can't accept this, Walburga," she insisted, holding the box out for Walburga to take.
"But you must," Walburga insisted with a smile that showed her pearly white teeth. "Think of it as an engagement gift."
Marlene let out a shaky breath. "Thank you," she said, her fingers tightening around the box.
"The family holds Friday night dinners every week," Walburga explained. "Sirius should remember. They're formal occasions and the family tries to show up each week. Despite what Sirius may have told you, we are a very close family. We have lost so many in the past few years. Losing Regulus made me realize that grudges shouldn't be held. I truly do wish to make it up to Sirius."
Marlene nodded. "I'll pass along the message."
"Thank you, Marlene," Walburga practically beamed.
Taking a step forward, Walburga pulled Marlene into an embrace. She stood stiff in the older woman's arms, inhaling the distinct smell of oud wood with a hint of rose and vanilla. As Walburga pulled back, she pressed her ruby lips against Marlene's cheek. Her hands ran down Marlene's arms as she pulled away.
"My daughter," Walburga whispered. "I always wanted a daughter. What a pretty and intelligent one I gained."
Marlene didn't know what to say to that. She simply gaped at Walburga.
"Goodbye, Marlene," Walburga said, the contact breaking between them. "I hope to see both you and Sirius soon. As well as the little ones. It will be so nice to hear children again at Grimmauld Place."
Walburga turned on her heels. Her dress robes billowed behind her as she left the office, closing the door with a soft snap. Marlene let out a huff of breath, her gaze falling to stare at the black velvet box. She knew if she took it home to show Sirius that he would pitch it immediately without even thinking about it. Instead, she placed it in the top drawer of her desk. If, somehow, they ended up reconciling, Sirius may want her to keep the bracelet.
Sinking down into her chair, Marlene screwed her eyes shut. Walburga's perfume lingered heavily in her office. It was almost as though the woman hadn't left. Opening her eyes, Marlene's gaze focused on the picture of Sirius and Harry on her desk. It had been taken in the back garden of the Hollow mere weeks before Halloween. A squealing Harry sat happily in front of Sirius on a broom. They weren't that high off the ground, the tips of Sirius' toes a few centimeters away from touching the ground. Lily had refused to allow James to take Harry on the broom, afraid James would take him up too high. She trusted Sirius to keep him low to the ground. And he had.
Leaning back in her chair, she wondered how the hell she was going to explain her meeting with Walburga to Sirius. He was more than likely going to lose his mind. Marlene dreaded the conversation.
Even though Marlene told Sirius to stay calm, he found it increasingly harder the longer she talked. His mother accosted her at work. Cornered her. Forced her to listen to some sweet-spoken lies about her regrets as a mother and bullshit excuse of being unable to break generational curses. Sirius knew better. He was no stranger to Walburga's manipulative ways. He had fallen for it so many times as a child. The showering of praise and gentle cheek caresses when he was a good little heir at parties and dinners. She snatched it away the moment he spoke too loudly or slouched or acted like a ruddy child.
Sirius could remember years of trying to appease her. The small flickers of praise and love never lasted long. There was always something that displeased her. Sirius stopped trying when Andromeda left. Perhaps he had just wanted to throw a tantrum. Perhaps leaving home and being sorted into Gryffindor had awakened some buried rebellion. Either way, Sirius soon became the problem. The crux of all of the family's problems. He had become the scapegoat, belittled and ignored for daring to be different. Or, more dangerously, daring to think for himself.
"She sounded regretful," Marlene added after the tale, her eyebrows tugging down.
Sirius sneered, a low cruel laugh escaping his lips. "She has you wound so perfectly in her web that you don't even notice you're about to have your limbs ripped one by one," he said in a measured tone, trying to keep his volume in check so he didn't scare Harry playing with his kitchen set across the room.
"I'm not going to tell you what to do," Marlene assured him. "I'm just telling you what I think."
Sirius ground his teeth. He couldn't be upset with Marlene for daring to think Walburga had actually grown a heart. She had no idea that Walburga was a narcissist and a master manipulator.
"I'm going to talk to her," Sirius said, storming his way towards the front door.
He snagged his leather jacket off the coat rack, shoving his arms through the holes. Feeling his trouser pocket, he ensured he had his wand on him just in case he needed it.
"Sirius," Marlene breathed, walking across the room towards him. "What are you going to do?"
"Tell her to stay the fuck away from my family," Sirius seethed.
His eyes flickered over to Harry. The kid had stopped playing, his wide green eyes burning a hole into Sirius. Brushing past Marlene, he made his way over to his godson. Crouching down, Sirius tugged Harry into a bone-crushing hug.
"I'll be right back, all right, kid?" Sirius promised him, pressing a kiss onto his temple as he pulled away.
Harry looked up at him, tear brimming his eyes. "See-See," he said in a miserable tone.
"Love you, kid," Sirius said, giving Harry one last kiss on the forehead before he rose to his full height.
Sirius made his way towards the door, trying to ignore Harry's soft sobs. While Marlene was able to leave for work without issues now, Sirius couldn't leave the house without tears. It shattered his bloody heart every single damn time to the point where he avoided leaving unless he could take Harry with him. Sirius stopped short of Marlene, pressing a quick kiss onto her cheek before he left the flat.
His entire body vibrated with an unhealthy mixture of anger and anxiety. He had no idea what he was even going to say to Walburga, but he knew he couldn't let her ruin his family. Sirius had worked too hard to escape his family's clutches to allow her to drag him back into the madness. He vowed he was done with every single one of them. He hated them. The lot of them. Most of all, Sirius hated Walburga.
Arriving at Grimmauld Place, Sirius pounded his fist against the wood. The door swung open a few moments later and Sirius came face-to-face with his mother. A small smirk graced her face as though she got exactly what she wanted… like bloody always. Sirius pushed his way into the foyer, his body twitching as all the anxiety left his body and was replaced with a barely controlled rage that he hadn't felt since he was sixteen and bolted from this very house.
Sirius wheeled around to look at his mother. "What do you think you are doing?" he seethed.
Walburga arched an eyebrow at him. "I find it highly unacceptable that I have to accost your fiancé if I wish to speak with you."
"Did you ever stop to think that I didn't want to speak with you?" Sirius hissed, his wide eyes staring unblinkingly at her.
"You are not a child anymore, Sirius," Walburga said, making her way past Sirius towards the parlor. "It would befit you to act your age."
Sirius' chest heaved as his body jerked to follow her. "Act my age? Are you fucking serious?" he seethed. "I fought in a bloody war! I adopted my orphaned godson! I buried my two best friends!"
Walburga took a seat in the large plush armchair, grabbing her teacup from the end table. "Yet, you cannot return a letter?"
Sirius sighed, his jaw clenching. "Just tell me what you want."
"I want you to act like a Black," Walburga said as though that had been blatantly clear from the very beginning.
"I'm having a daughter," Sirius replied in a dry tone. "So whatever heir bullshit you thought you could orchestrate can stop right now."
Walburga slammed her teacup down onto the table, liquid sloshing over the side. "For someone so intelligent, you can somehow also be surprisingly obtuse," she snapped as she rose to her full height. "I have carried this family on my back for more years than I can count because your father and grandfather were too busy comparing cock sizes with all the other pureblood neanderthals. It has been the women who have made or crumbled families. So do not stand there and presume that you know everything. Your arrogance knows no bounds. Just like a typical wizard."
Sirius stood there, his chest heaving. He hadn't considered for a second that Walburga would be more interested in a female Black. That had been completely moronic of him. Thoughts of Walburga grooming Bellatrix into the perfect little carbon copy of herself flashed to the forefront of his mind.
"If you think I'm going to allow you to rip every shred of humanity from my daughter in the same way you did to Bella, then you are more delusional than I thought," Sirius whispered in a dangerously low voice.
Walburga took a step closer to him, her eyes flashing. "You have no idea the opportunities and prestige that lay at your feet, that lay at your daughter's feet. You are going to throw it all away for what? To attempt to teach me a lesson? To prove you're nothing like the family that built you? You have had opportunity and an abundance of wealth handed to you your entire privileged life. Yet, you are an ungrateful and infuriating bête noire. I will not allow you to destroy this family because you want to continue down this reckless and rebellious path."
Sirius' low jaw jutted. "I don't care what happens to this family. I just don't want any part of it."
"If you want no part of this family, then why don't you sign over Alphard's cottage back to this family? Why don't you return your sizable inheritance? If you truly do not want anything to do with this family, then stop living off of us. Truly go off on your own and denounce us."
Every single muscle in Sirius' body tensed. His uncle's money had allowed him to lead the life he wanted. He fought in the war without any worry about being able to provide for himself. He could stay at home with Harry all day long, slowly helping him heal from the trauma he had experienced at such a young age. While he was certain they could live off Marlene's salary and have a nice cushion of savings from her own inheritance, Sirius knew he enjoyed never having to so much as look at a price tag. He bought and did what he wanted, knowing the mere interest of his uncle's vault paid for his lifestyle and then some.
"Is that not the level of separation you want from this family?" Walburga challenged smugly as she went back to her chair, sinking down into the cushions and crossing one leg over the other. "You wish not to associate with us but you wish to keep the bank account? How very typical for your level of insubordination."
Sirius' fists curled at his sides. "Who would want to be associated with this family? I heard Grandfather is being ousted from the Wizengamot. Apparently, a campaign for Barty Crouch to become the new Head Warlock is swirling around. I guess they don't want the Black name involved. Bellatrix tramps around happily talking about Voldemort like she's his little pet. Narcissa's own husband has paid his way out of Azkaban. Regulus is a known Death Eater who was murdered by his comrades. Need I continue?"
"And you think your reputation is pristine?" Walburga challenged. "A scoundrel while attending Hogwarts. A wizard arrested at least a dozen times since school. No job. Ill-tempered and defiant. You're an embarrassment of a son to me as much as I'm an embarrassment of a mother to you."
Sirius laughed callously. He couldn't bloody well help it. This entire conversation was beyond mental. He had no idea why he was even still in the house.
"I'm done," Sirius said in a low tone, his finger pointing in her direction. "Leave my family alone."
"I will expect you Friday evening with your fiancé and godson at seven sharp for dinner," Walburga explained, picking her teacup back up. "Formal dress robes are the only appropriate attire. If you are not here, I will petition the Wizengamot to seize the Black family assets from your possession. That includes bank accounts and properties. There are many purebloods that currently preside on the Wizengamot. They will want to ensure their family wealth is protected and set precedent."
Sirius' nostrils flared. "There is no way I am exposing my godson to this deranged family. There is zero chance that I'll bring him here knowing there are Death Eaters like Bella in the family."
"Fine, Bellatrix will be excluded from the dinner," Walburga conceded. "Since you believe Lucius bought his way out of prison, he too shall be excluded. I'm assuming Narcissa and her son are not welcomed? You love playing the guilt by association card."
Sirius scoffed. "No! I'm not bringing him to this house!"
"We will meet at The Black Cauldron in Saffron Combe then," Walburga again conceded. "This is my final offer. It will be your family, both sets of grandparents, and myself."
Sirius' chest constricted. "What are you playing at? What the fuck do you want from me?"
"We'll have plenty to discuss on Friday," Walburga said, ignoring Sirius' questions. "I'm growing tired of this conversation," she announced, rising from her chair. "I'll need a bath after this infuriating interaction with you. I trust you still know how to show yourself out? You can even sneak out like you're a teenager again. You're just trading one Potter for another after all."
Sirius gritted his teeth, his fingers twitching for his wand. How dare she? Walburga walked past him, her shoulder bumping against his arm. Sirius whipped around, his entire body tensing.
"Don't you dare presume that you know anything about my life or how I feel!" Sirius roared, his face burning hot. "You never took a bloody interest in me beyond molding me into your little heir! You have no idea the way I think or feel!"
Walburga gripped the railing and turned her head at look at him, her eyebrow arching. "You think the world revolves around you, Sirius. That everyone should drop at your feet just because you demand it of them. If you ask someone to jump, you expect them to ask how high. Because you are clever and you know you're clever. You can't help but deem everyone else around you as inferior. You think you're better than me because of your silly little morals. You believe you are right because you have fallen victim to radicalism and you assume I'm wrong because I'm a traditionalist. You can't stand when someone doesn't agree with you or your views. Your arrogance won't allow it."
Sirius couldn't help the sneer that worked its way across his face. Walburga was able to say the nastiest things in the calmest of voices, a talent that only she seemed to possess in the family. Shaking his head, he blew past her to the front door. He didn't want to listen to her any longer. He wanted nothing to do with her. There was no way he'd even consider her proposition. She could take his inheritance for all he cared.
Sirius' fingers wrapped around the doorknob of the front door. His heart pounded in his chest as he stared at the carved snakes in the wood.
"The way you described me is almost exactly the way I'd describe you," Sirius said in a dangerously low voice, his body turning slowly to look at her standing on the first step. "You can't stand it that you have zero control over me. There is nothing you have that I want. File a petition with the Wizengamot to seize my inheritance. I don't care. Have your lawyer contact my lawyer."
With that, Sirius exited the house. The cool January air assaulted his face. Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket, he didn't bother with a Warming Charm as he descended the steps of Grimmauld Place. He didn't find a place to Apparate either. He just walked until the tips of his ears and nose grew numb and his muscles constricted. Sirius wanted to be one hundred percent calm before he returned home to his true family.
Marlene arrived home from the market to music blaring in the parlor. Harry sat on Sirius' hip as he swayed their godson to the fast-paced beat. Marlene could barely hear Harry's childish laughter over the wireless. Moving the bag into one arm, she reached over to turn down the volume. Sirius whipped around, Harry squealing as he wrapped his arms tightly around his godfather's neck.
"Mawlee!" Harry greeted, his little legs swinging.
Ever since Sirius had visited his mother a week ago, he had taken to playing loud music and keeping busy. It was as though he had so much stifled anger and resentment growing inside of him that the only way he knew to combat it was to do something. He barely slept. He cleaned obsessively. He practiced complex Transfiguration. He had even taken to going for a run along the beach before the sun even rose. Dark bags seemed to permanently reside under his dull gray eyes. If she asked him if he was all right, he insisted he was fine with a fake big smile.
Marlene sat the bag of groceries on the table by the door. She held open her arms for her godson. Harry leaned towards her. Marlene slid her hands underneath his armpits and hauled him out of Sirius' arms. Harry curled around her body, his little bum sitting on her growing bump. Wrapping her fingers around the back of Harry's neck, she held him close.
"I missed you, love," Marlene greeted, her cheek pressing against his temple. "I love you so much."
"Wuv you, Mawlee," Harry replied, pulling back and giving her a very wet and somewhat sticky kiss on the cheek.
Marlene wrinkled her nose at him as she reached up a hand to run her finger down his nose. Harry giggled.
"Want to help me cook dinner?" Marlene asked. "I got everything we need to make bangers and mash."
Sirius walked past them and picked up the bag on the table.
"Sirius, love, why don't you sit down and relax?" Marlene suggested in a kind voice, swaying Harry in her arms.
"I can unpack the groceries while you start on dinner," Sirius suggested.
"Really, I don't need help," Marlene insisted, her head inclining towards Harry. "I have my little helper."
"I'm good," Sirius insisted before he carried the groceries into the kitchen.
Sirius kept moving the entire time Marlene cooked dinner. After unpacking the groceries, he cleaned the table before wiping down the counters. He ensured Harry's hands were clean. Even as he ate, he cut up Harry's bangers into bite-size pieces and fetched him more pumpkin juice and wiped his face clean. Sirius barely ate his own dinner before he started to wash the dishes. After dinner, he scooped Harry up in his arms for a bath and Marlene let out a heavy sigh before she followed him.
Marlene pressed her side against the doorjamb, watching as Sirius hauled Harry's jumper off over his head. Harry laughed when Sirius poked him in the belly. A soft smile graced Marlene's lips as she watched Sirius ready Harry for a bath, taking great care in ensuring the water temperature was just right and he had all of his favorite toys. Sirius lazily flicked water at Harry with his fingers, causing the toddler to burst out in a fit of giggles. Nobody could get Harry to laugh so easily as Sirius could.
"Do you want to talk?" Marlene asked from the door.
Sirius glanced up at her. "About what?"
"About what's going on in that mind of yours the past week," Marlene clarified as she stepped into the bathroom and took a seat next to him on the bath mat. "You've been stressed since you spoke with Walburga."
Sirius sighed, settling back on his bum. "I'm just trying to figure out what she wants. She obviously has something very specific in mind, but I can't work out what she could possibly want. Is it just the baby to groom? Is it something nefarious dealing with Harry? Maybe she's trying to gain access to Harry to hand him over to Bellatrix."
Marlene placed a hand on Sirius' knee. "I don't know," she whispered.
Sirius shook his head. "I just wish they'd all bloody die. How are so many of them still alive? They're awful people. Meanwhile, good people like Monty and Mia and James and Lily…" he trailed off, his voice cracking. "It's not fair. I hate it. I'll celebrate the day that Walburga finally croaks."
"Sirius," Marlene breathed, her eyebrows raising. "Can we not talk about celebrating the death of someone?"
Sirius rolled his eyes, his attention turning back to Harry. "Some deaths deserve to be celebrated."
"I'm not sure how I feel about that," Marlene reasoned. "Let's table that discussion."
Harry held up a hippogriff squirt toy and squeezed. Water darted out of its mouth and hit Sirius in the chest. Harry kicked his legs as he squealed, water splashing out of the tub. Sirius offered Harry a tight smile as he grabbed the bowtruckle squirt toy and filled it with water. He squeezed the toy and hit Harry in the arm. The toddler threw back his head and cackled like a little maniac.
"I just want enjoy our life," Marlene reasoned. "I want you to enjoy life and not worry all the time about what your family could potentially be planning when they're probably not actually planning anything at all."
Sirius lazily filled the bowtruckle toy back up with water. "I enjoy my family," he said, glancing over at her. "I love this little family we've created even if it makes me incredibly sad to think about everyone who died that led us to this point. It makes me so… angry to even think about Peter for a moment knowing how many lives he ruined. Why did he do it, Marly? Why?"
Marlene shrugged, not having any answers. "I'm not sure we'll ever know."
"I want to kill him," Sirius said in a dangerously low tone. "If I ever come across his path… I'm not sure I would be able to control myself."
Marlene searched Sirius' dark face. "Can we not risk life in Azkaban for murder?"
Sirius sighed as he handed Harry the bowtruckle.
"Harry needs you. Your daughter needs you," Marlene insisted. "I need you. I don't want to do this alone. I don't even know if I can."
"Marly," Sirius said in a rough voice.
"I want Peter to pay for what he did as much as you do," Marlene reasoned, her fingers wrapping around his. "But not at the expense of our family. You know as well as I do that James and Lily wouldn't want that either."
Sirius nodded, his tongue peeking out to lick his bottom lip. "I know. I know."
Marlene gave his hand a squeeze. "I'm glad."
"Where do you think he went?" Sirius asked, his body tensing. "Not because I want to go after him or anything. It's just been something I've thought about. Where would he even go?"
"I don't know, love," Marlene whispered. "Wherever it is, I hope he's suffering."
"Me too," Sirius agreed before he turned his full attention back to Harry.
Harry was Sirius' escape, a way to shut off his brain from thinking too much about things out of his control. Marlene allowed him that escape, because it wasn't some self-destructive tendency. She had seen him self-destruct in the past, turning to alcohol and the occasional potion or spliff. Ever since they gained custody of Harry, Marlene had only seen him drink once at Christmas. And even that was only a couple of beers with Ted.
Marlene watched as he bathed Harry, taking great care not to get any soapy water on his face when he washed his thick hair. While Sirius seemed more than content taking care of Harry all day every day, she did wonder if he would start to grow restless. Sirius liked to keep busy. He liked to think and solve puzzles. Marlene couldn't help but wonder if his obsession with solving some grand plan of Walburga's or wondering where Peter went was his way to keep solving puzzles and keep his mind busy. She couldn't help but worry he'd act on one of his hunches.
January came and went without any more contact from Walburga or any other Black family member. There was nothing filed with the Wizengamot to challenge Sirius' inheritance either. It was quiet. All too quiet. Sirius didn't like it. He couldn't shake the feeling that some plan was bubbling at the surface and gearing up to strike them.
Sirius woke up on the first of February surprisingly well rested without the slight weight of Harry tucked into his side. He rubbed his eyes as he glanced over at the clock to see it was already six in the morning. Harry had slept through the night for the first time since Halloween. Sitting up in bed, Sirius looked around the bed to ensure that he hadn't slept through his godson's cries. Except only Marlene laid next to him.
He eased out of the bed, grabbing his dressing gown on the way out of his bedroom. As slowly as he could, he turned the knob to Harry's room and pushed the door open a crack. Harry laid tangled in his Magpies blanket with his stuffed stag squished against his chest and stuffed dog acting as a pillow. Sirius just stood in the doorway for a few moments, watching his godson sleeping peacefully.
Closing the door with a soft snap, Sirius padded his way towards the kitchen. He started the coffee and put on the kettle for Marlene. Pressing his bum against the counter, Sirius crossed his arms and looked in the direction of the door. He strained his ears to listen for any indication that Harry was up but there was none.
An hour later, Marlene joined him in the kitchen. At her furrowed brow, he explained how Harry had slept through the night. He left out the clenching in his gut that perhaps Harry was starting to forget his parents.
"That's great!" Marlene exclaimed in a hushed tone. "Merlin, that's such great news!"
Sirius nodded, his fingers lacing around his coffee cup. "I'm glad the nightmares are ceasing."
Marlene searched his face. "I can see the brooms flying around your head."
Sirius shrugged. "I am happy," he insisted. "I've wanted Harry be happy and feel safe for months now."
Marlene raised her eyebrows as though urging him to continue. Except, Sirius was saved when he heard Harry.
"SEE-SEE!" Harry's childish voice called for him. "SEE-SEE!"
There was no distress in his voice. No tears. Sirius rose from the kitchen table and made his way to Harry's bedroom as quickly as he could. When he entered the room, he saw Harry sitting in his cot with a stuffed animal under each arm. His face split into a grin when Sirius entered. Sirius returned the smile as he made his way over to Harry's cot.
"Good morning," Sirius greeted him, holding out his arms.
Harry tossed his stuffed animals aside before he stood up and held out his arms. Sirius hauled him out of his cot and settled him on his hip. The kid babbled as Sirius changed his nappy and then in his arms the entire way to the kitchen, talking about Merlin knows what. Sirius was fairly certain it had something to do about Quidditch because he heard the word 'Pies several times as well as what sounded like broom.
When they entered the kitchen, Marlene was already cooking breakfast at the stove. Harry greeted her enthusiastically, squirming to get down so he could go help. Sirius dropped him to his feet and smiled as he watched the kid scamper across the room. Everything seemed infinitely easier now that they had an established routine and understood Harry better than they had before. Sirius couldn't help but wonder how long it took James and Lily to understand the gist of Harry's babbles. After three full months living with him, Sirius felt like he could communicate better with Harry than before and the tantrums lessoned now that he was being understood more often than not.
That afternoon, Sirius pushed the trolley around the market to buy food for the week. Harry held onto the grocery list as he sat happily in the seat, the backs of his shoes kicking against the trolley. The entire time, Harry pointed at things on the shelves with an excitement that seemed a little over the top. Although, it made Sirius chuckle nonetheless. Much to Sirius' delight, Harry even waved at a little girl also sitting in the trolley while Sirius decided what pack of chicken to buy.
When Sirius was shopping for produce, a woman stepped up next to him and her busty chest brushed against his arm. Sirius attempted to step back from her and pull his arm away from touching her. She was tall with dark hair. His nostrils flared at the strong aroma of her perfume, the scent tickling the back of his mind as being vaguely familiar. He soaked in the features of her face but didn't recognize her.
"Hello," she said in a sweet tone, a half-smile crossing her face. "Your son is adorable," she added as she inclined her head towards Harry.
Sirius offered her a tight smile. "Thank you," he replied, making sure he had one hand secure on the trolley.
"Excuse me," she said, reaching in front of Sirius for a bag of apples.
Sirius held his breath, instantly annoyed.
"I'm Eva, by the way," she introduced herself with a charming smile. "And you are…?"
"Not interested," Sirius replied in a dull tone.
Sirius backed away, realizing that he suddenly didn't care of he bought apples or not. He made his way towards the checkout instead. The woman followed him, rushing to catch up to him. Her fingers wrapped around his bicep and he instantly tensed.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to… well, here," she said, holding out a bag of apples for him. "I just thought you were fit and wanted to chat. I didn't see a ring."
Sirius eyed the bag of apples. "I'm engaged," he said flatly.
The woman smiled. "I won't tell anyone if you don't," she whispered, her hand trailing down Sirius' arm.
There was something about the mysterious woman that unsettled Sirius deeply. He wanted to get away from her as quickly as possible. Rushing into an empty lane, Sirius hastily paid for his groceries before he left the store. In the car park, Sirius looked around at his surroundings to ensure the woman hadn't followed him. He loaded the grocery bags in his Aston Martin as quickly as he could before he fastened Harry into his car seat. He left the trolley in the open spot next to his car, not caring to take it back. After he slid into the front seat, he locked the doors and turned over the engine.
He caught sight of the woman standing in front of the market with a man Sirius didn't recognize. Neither one of them had any groceries. Sirius shifted gears and pulled out of his spot, not wanting to remain there for a moment longer. He didn't drive home right away. Instead, he traveled a good half hour out of town before he took a long way back to Margate. Harry had fallen asleep at some point, his head hanging at an awkward angle.
By the time Sirius arrived home, he was on edge and jittery. Harry whimpered in his arms at being woken up. Sirius shrunk a bunch of bags to place them all in one so it would be easier to carry. He looked around at his surroundings to see if there was anyone suspicious but he saw no one. Just a mother he often saw at the park with her son who looked to be about a year older than Harry.
Even once they were in the safety of their flat, Sirius couldn't relax. He kept glancing out of the windows to look up and down the street for anyone out of place. His mind went wild, knowing they had to leave as soon as Marlene arrived home. Perhaps, they could stay with Remus until they found a new flat or house. Something that didn't belong to either one of them.
As soon as Marlene entered the flat a few hours later, Sirius jumped up from the sofa to speak with her. While he hadn't noticed anything out of place all afternoon, he still wanted to leave. He explained what happened at the market before urging her to pack a bag.
"Sirius, wait, calm down," Marlene interrupted, placing her hands on his chest. "A woman flirted with you at the market and you think… what? That she was a Death Eater in disguise?"
Sirius' jaw feathered. "Do you check that nobody has follows you home? Every day?"
"Of course, I double check that I'm not being followed!" Marlene protested, her head shaking. "Sirius, could you just calm down?"
"We need to leave!" Sirius protested, his anger spiking.
Marlene sighed as she brushed past him towards Harry. She scooped the kid up in her arms and attacked his face with kisses. Harry squealed in delight.
"Marlene!" Sirius barked.
Marlene whipped around to look at him, cuddling Harry close to her chest. "Listen to me, Sirius. You are a very attractive man who is even more attractive when you're taking care of a child because of the soft and tender way you treat a child. I have seen plenty of women give you a double look when we're out in town together. They just don't approach you because I'm there."
Sirius rolled his eyes.
"I'm not uprooting Harry again because some woman made you uncomfortable when she flirted with you," Marlene added, pressing her cheek against Harry's temple.
"I wasn't uncomfortable because a woman flirted with me," Sirius insisted through gritted teeth. "Would you just trust me?"
"I trust you with my life, Sirius," Marlene replied in a gentle tone. "But you also see threats everywhere. You won't even say hello to the neighbors because you're afraid they aren't who they say they are."
Sirius pressed his hands on his hips, a scowl crossing his face. "One of my best mates murdered our other best mate. A man that I shared a dormitory with for seven years. A man that I went to the pub with nearly weekly for two years straight. A man I fought side by side with. A man that I thought would never betray any of us. Do you know how that feels?"
Marlene searched Sirius' face, a frown tugging on the corners of her lips. "I know what Peter did was unthinkable. I know his betrayal cut deep. But not every single person who interacts with you is a threat."
Sirius knew Marlene was right. But he couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling that crawled across his skin. He had been flirted with plenty of times. There was just something about that woman that seemed eerily familiar.
"Let's go out for dinner," Marlene insisted. "You'll see nobody is following us."
Sirius let out a huff of breath. Carding a hand through his hair, he nodded reluctantly at the suggestion. While he hated having Harry leave the house again that day, he did feel better about being able to look around town some. Marlene smiled at him before she disappeared to their bedroom to change out of her work robes with Harry babbling in her arms about his day. Sirius made his way over to the window and peered out for what seemed like the thousandth time that day as he waited for his family to get ready.
Here's the newest chapter! We're really in the thick of the plot now! Don't forget to drop a review. They keep me motivated to keep writing and inspire new ideas.
Special thanks to prewettpotter!