June 27th, 1994
Outside Number Four Privet Drive stood Sirius Black leaning on a muggle car Remus made them bring. Sirius offered to drive but Remus insisted on it. Something about him barely knowing the rules of the road before Azkaban and dementors.
Remus was still in the car, but Sirius wanted to be out in the sun. Godric how he missed it. No matter how long he’s been out, he will never get used to the sun. How bright it is now. How warm it is now. It’s heat circled around him almost entrapping him which he didn’t mind. He would be grateful to suffocate by warmth if it came to that.
“Look down Sirius.” Remus called out, still in the car. Moony has been all mother-hen since Azkaban. Especially since the end of term and Moony moved in with him. Not with Cissy of course. He made an agreement with Lucious that he would move out if Malfoy let the hippogriff live. He moved to France a few weeks ago, Moony came a week ago. Part of him misses seeing Cissy everyday.
I’ll miss you.
Neither of us are dying, Sirius. We’ll have dinner once a month, you can even bring the werewolf. But give him something nice to wear.
Sirius smiled, he really liked this new version of Cissy.
Maybe we can invite Andy and her muggle.
She didn’t answer, just pushed him out the door. He hoped part of her liked the idea.
He didn’t look down. He liked the sun. All suns. And sons.
For example, his godson. Harry. Harry who looks like James.
James.
Jamie.
Prongs.
Harry. Harry who may look like prongs and is loyal like prongs, but is all Lily. It was a little weird at first, but he found it better this way. Harry and James were different and he already loved them both. Moony had told him all about Harry in their week together. Sirius made him go on and on and on and Moony did because Moony loves him. He said that too, that he still loves Sirius. It was nice.
Suddenly Moony was standing next to him and he gently pushed his head down.
“You’ll blind yourself.” Moony was always worried these days. Sirius couldn’t see what for, he didn’t think there was anything to worry about now. Except maybe family dinner.
Cissy wants us and Harry to go dinner with her and her family once a month.
Harry and Draco hate each other so good luck convincing him.
They do?
Big time.
Then they’ll fit right in to the Black family. It’s all about hating each other!
“Would you still love me if I was blind?”
“Shut up.” Moony was so romantic. The way his eye’s sparkled and his lips curved up. Sirius missed Moony the most.
The door to the very boring muggle house opened and three muggles walked out the door. A tall skinny woman, a fat old guy, and another boy about Harry’s age. Remus leaned over to him.
“That’s Petunia, Lily’s sister. Her husband Vernon and their son Dudley.” Remus explained.
“How do you know all this?”
“I kept tabs on Harry, just in case.” Remus shrugged.
Sirius stepped forward to the muggles. He didn’t really care for them. Not because of the Black mentality- probably - he just doesn’t think they have any value or importance. He hasn’t heard anything good about them, or anything that didn’t involve their need to be boring muggles. He loves muggle things and famous muggle artists, but looking at their house and their clothes, these are not the muggle things he likes.
“As much as I would love to share stories with Lily’s distant family, I really only came here for one person. So where is the child no longer under your charge?” Sirius didn’t shake any of their hands because he really didn’t like touching anyone. Moony and Prongs were the only exception to that rule.
“He’s finishing packing.” Vernon looked around to his neighbors houses nervously. Sirius has seen it before. New money liked to prove their worth and constantly had to show they were better than everyone. Old money, like Sirius, didn’t need to show off. They had confidence and history on their side proving their power. New money like this, they cared so much of image they paraded themselves around but never focused on actually building a good one.
Pay attention to them Sirius, the ones begging for our attention.
But they only talk about themselves.
Yes. Most times they will share their greatest weakness without even thinking about it. Pay attention to their pitiful behavior and take note and when the time is right, you could either destroy them to manipulate them.
Yes Mama.
“Come you can wait inside!” The sister said as she looked around at all the neighbors. Sirius almost wanted to drag it out, to see how embarrassed the family could get. But Remus started walking. Remus was from Wales. His father worked for the ministry and his mother owned a muggle bookstore. Remus was one of the least social people Sirius knew, which was saying something.
Are you reading at a party?
What should I be doing?
Well you could be dancing. With me.
Moony.
Moony.
Moony.
He’s right next to him. Forever. Moony said so. They can live together in France for as long as they want and be happy and Remus won’t have to work he can just eat chocolate and be with Sirius.
The muggle home was unnaturally bland. This is what his parents must have imagined muggles to be like, absolutely nothing. Sirius loves muggle things. He loves the music, the drugs, the vehicles. This is horribly wrong and sad. There was that insufferable noise box that Moony put in their first flat. It was ongoing with some moving drawing and it was blindly bright and loud.
That thing on again?
I’ll never understand your hatred for the Telly.
It’s annoying. It’s loud and obnoxious and never shuts up.
More reasons you should get along with it.
Remus was smiling then. He always smiled as he teased him. Like it was a secret joke between them. Like it was their way of flirting but secretly so no one knew how much they loved each other.
“You have a lovely home.” Remus told the muggles. Sirius disagreed wholeheartedly. If he transformed into a dog and became colorblind, the house would look the exact same.
“Thank you.” The sister said. They were not invited to sit down. They were not given tea or even coffee. They just stood there awkwardly.
“I’m sure it’ll be a sad change to see Harry gone.” Remus kept trying. This was new. The post all my friends died Remus. He spoke to those around him politely and kept trying to make conversation. He was a grown up, Sirius realized. Sirius didn’t know how he felt about that.
The older fat muggle just scoffed. Sirius couldn’t believe the audacity. To think anyone could not like Harry let alone his own guardians. Sirius should teach him a lesson. The amount of torture his family has done to muggles is endless what would be one more. His family’s mission is to protect their own and that is what Sirius will do. He could practically feel his wand calling out to him. There was so much he could do. The possibilities were truly endless.
He felt a hand on his shoulder. Moony. The calm in his storm. The amount of panic attacks Moony has calmed him through.
You are the stable one of us Moony.
That’s a horrible thought Pads.
No. Harry would probably not appreciate the torture of his relatives. The madness was coming for him. It was his family curse.
“Sirius.” Oh thank Merlin. Sirius turned to see his brilliant lovely godson. He engulfed Harry in a hug. He wore extra thick robes so he didn’t feel as bony in this robe. He’s gained weight since last seeing Harry, but not much.
Eat love.
Are you trying to fatten me up Moony?
Yes. Godrick knows you need it.
“Are you ready for France mon soleil?” He’s been writing Harry for weeks since the first agreement. He’s told him all about the estate and the things they’ll do and made sure to ask if it was ok if ‘Professor Lupin’ could come too.
Of course! Lupins the best professor we’ve had in ages!
“He’s going to France?!” The muggle child exclaimed. Sirius turned to look at the very dull muggles.
“Of course. I own a large estate there so we will be spending most of the summer in my family’s home country. Although I also own estates in Spain, Germany, Russia, London and the country side of England so we may even take a tour of the continent.” Now that he mentions it that would be a great idea. Especially if he is going to be Lord Black, he should start meeting up with their allies.
The muggles looked bright pink. Sirius smiled. He could spend a million galleons right now and not make a dent in his inheritance.
Some ancestor did. If he remembers his history correctly.
“Well erm, bye.” Harry said and started to the door. Sirius followed. No need to stay somewhere he isn’t wanted. He quickly shrunk the boys trunk and put it in his pocket.
“You have a car?” Harry asked. Sirius smiled. He loved Harry. So much. Just like James.
James.
James.
Prongs.
My fault.
You never got to know your incredible son and it’s all my fault.
“Moon- uh Remus does. He’s graciously offered to drive because he doesn’t think I can.”
“You barely passed your drivers test the first time because thought it would be funny to close one eye the whole time.” Remus was, as always, right behind them. He’ll always be there.
Sirius smiled. He didn’t remember that but he’s sure it was true. Moony would never lie.
“And yet I passed. Honestly it should make me an even better driver because I passed with one eye closed.” He said. Harry laughed at that. Sirius would do anything to make him laugh again.
Sirius sat in the back with Harry. He wanted to learn every single detail about the boy and never stop learning.
Sirius had a plan. Remus would drive a few hours until they stopped to get food then they would drive all the way to France using the wizard transport tunnel. Sirius didn’t have enough strength to apparate with someone else and the wards wouldn’t accept Remus. He wasn’t about to floo either because he didn’t like the way it felt. So for the long long car ride, Sirius would listen to Harry and to Moony and he would learn anything he possibly could about his godson and his love. He’s missed so much of their lives, he doesn’t want to miss any more.