that funny feeling

After a brief phone call with Remus, Sirius couldn't contain his growing happiness. His fiancé had to remind him that he had lessons to attend to make him stop talking, but Sirius could hear a smile in his voice, too.

Throughout the day, Draco consumed his thoughts. He pondered how to approach him, what activities they could do together, and how the teenager would adapt. Sirius pushed away his past worries of Draco struggling even more under their care, Harry not accepting him, and Sirius himself making things more difficult for everyone.

He attempted to answer some more work emails but failed, ultimately deciding to turn off his laptop. Instead, choosing to shower and get ready for the day properly, even though it was already noon.

After almost an hour under the hot shower, Sirius finally emerged, wrapping a towel around his waist. He quickly grabbed a smaller towel and vigorously dried his hair, ensuring it was no longer damp. Without bothering to style it, he threw on a Pink Floyd t-shirt and worn-out jeans, opting to go without socks. However, he slipped on a pair of slippers to protect his feet from the rusty nails that tended to stick out the floor.

Running his fingers along the walls, the man headed to the kitchen to occupy himself. With some old tunes playing in the background, he loaded the dishwasher, wiped the countertops, and ultimately decided to prepare a quick and simple salad with chicken for Harry to have before practice.

After placing the salad in the refrigerator and adding more dishes to the dishwasher, he realized it was around the time his fiancé and kid should be returning from school. Anticipating their arrival, he decided to make tea.

As he waited for the water to boil, the sound of the front door unlocking caught his attention.

"Harry, shoes off,” Remus called from the hallway as Harry stormed into the kitchen with a sullen expression.

"Snape's at it again," he grumbled, letting his backpack crash to the floor. Slumping into a chair, he buried his face in his arms on the kitchen table, mirroring his morning routine.

Sirius raised an amused eyebrow, turning away from the stove to observe his godson. "So, can I finally murder him, then?" he joked, but Harry's genuine distress immediately wiped the smile off his face. Concern replacing amusement, he asked, "…Is he being that more of a bitch than usual?"

Remus entered the room, letting out a soft sigh as he took in the state in which the teenager found himself. Approaching Harry, he wordlessly took out a partially eaten chocolate bar from who knows where to be honest, it just appeared in his hand, broke off two pieces and placed them in front of the brunette on the table. Harry immediately began nibbling on them and the man ruffled his hair affectionately.

"He is being a bitch," Remus shrugged, still keeping his hand in Harry's hair. Sirius frowned, while his godson gave an almost inaudible sound of agreement, causing both men to snort. "Don’t choke," Remus reminded him, as Harry devoured the rest of the chocolate in a split second, visibly eager to add something to their conversation.

"He's not teaching us shit," he began, and Remus consciously overlooked the language he used. "And today decided to quiz us on topics that aren't even in the book. I checked. He threatened to give us all F's for it. Even if Hermione did know the answer to one of the questions, he accused her of cheating because apparently there was no way she could know it. I mean, of course? But still! He’s... Ugh,”

As Harry continued his rant, Sirius and Remus exchanged a knowing look. It became apparent to the black haired man that Snape's behavior wasn't just the usual daily torment. Remus looked weirdly defeated, which worried him.

"I called him out on it," Harry continued, although grew slightly sheepish as his godfather refocused his full attention to him, raising an amused eyebrow once again.

"Oh, really?" Sirius mused, smirking, as they had already discussed the importance of ignoring unbearable bastards rather than engaging in arguments with them.

"..Yeah, I had to! Can't let him treat us like utter shit, right?" Sirius shrugged, motioning his hand in a maybe gesture. "I told him it didn't make sense, and almost the entire class agreed with me! But he threatened to send me to Dumbledore... And called me stupid, in front of everyone!"

"Oh, just fuck him," Sirius sighed, rubbing his temples. While they had also been arseholes to Snape during their own teenage years and never truly made amends, it still didn't excuse the man’s current treatment of their child now.

"For once, I have to agree. But personally, I would advise you to just try and ignore him, alright? Stay away from him and don't let him get into your head," Remus chimed in. Harry puffed out his cheeks in frustration. "He's simply an git with an inflated ego who enjoys targeting those who are weaker," Remus ruffled Harry's hair again, and the young brunette couldn't help but grin.

With a smile of his own, the man walked towards the counter, and brought Sirius closer by the waist. Despite the height difference, the shorter man eagerly leaned in for a kiss.

Harry huffed, his nose wrinkling in playful disgust. "Eghem, Gross?"

Remus rolled his eyes and smiled indulgently. "There’s nothing gross about love, you know?”

Sirius snorted, resting his hand on his fiancé’s chest. "Speak for yourself, Moony. I think the kid’s right. We are pretty disgusting." And he leaned upwards again, catching the man’s lips in another soft kiss.

"You two are ridiculous." Harry muttered, rolling his eyes.

Sirius grinned, tweaking his nose. "Peace is overrated. Besides, don’t you have practice to attend to in half an hour? You still have to eat first, so better hurry, pup.”

Caught off guard, Harry blinked and replied, "Er, right," before quickly leaving the table and rushing to his room to change.

The two men watched him fondly as he left. Remus then nuzzled his nose into the crook of Sirius' neck, despite the discomfort it brought to his own posture. The shorter man huffed and pulled him closer by the back of his neck.

"See what I mean?" he hummed. "Disgusting."

Remus snorted and shook his head. "You're impossible."

They took a moment to simply enjoy each other's scents and embrace each other warmly. Remus gently wrapped his long arms around his fiancé with a contented sigh.

"Snape really is acting like a bitch," he murmured, his voice brushing against Sirius' neck. His partner huffed and turned his head, resting his cheek on his fiancé's shoulder, inadvertently tickling Remus with his hair.

"Didn't expect anything less from Snivellus," he sighed, glancing around the kitchen. The old tapestry was falling apart in places, worn-out tables stood on uneven legs. Yet, despite the worn appearance, he could proudly state that this place was filled with new, positive memories they created, such as their nightly baking sessions or dance party’s, rather than hurtful burns or knifes being thrown.

Remus hummed. "Yeah... He's probably involved in the gang thing, too," his voice lacked any emotion, it didn’t sound like a joke at all, not even a bad one. Sirius paused, his expression darkening.

"…Whoa, okay. What do you mean?"

Remus let out a long sigh. "He’s been skittish like this since the raid on Malfoy Manor. He was on really friendly terms with them, wasn’t he?” it has been going on since their own school years, and actually got frustrating when it became a problem for Sirius and James to pull pranks on Snivellus, because he found himself bodyguards in the form of Lucius and Narcissa, following them like a devoted puppy. Sirius guessed that their association likely continued to this day.

Remus continued, his voice filled with disgust. "He's been 'talking' with Dumbledore, too." Sirius gently tangled a hand in Remus' hair, frowning in thought.

He licked his lips. "Well, shit." He turned his head back and wrapped his arm around Remus' waist, burying his face in the taller man's shoulder.

Remus' arms tightened around him, and he let out another deep breath. "And I ignored it, because, why should I care about that git? It was strange, but Snape has always been strange, hasn't he? And how he treated Draco...oh, bloody hell," he mumbled, his fingers twisting Sirius' shirt.

Harry often complained about the professor and his unfair methods, but neither of them thought much of it. They assumed it was just Snape playing favorites. Now, Remus realized he was wrong.

"..Don't worry, he'll be with us soon. We'll take care of him. And then I'll make sure Snivellus pays for whatever he's done to him. And for how he treated Harry."

Remus snorted, and Sirius smirked.

Harry came back from practice a while ago and Sirius, with a heavy sigh, made his way up the stairs of the creaky old house. He felt a mixture of excitement and concern as he approached the teenager‘s room, knowing damn well that this talk was necessary, but he also knew it wouldn't be an easy one.

Knocking softly on the door, he waited for a response before pushing it open gently. He peered inside to see Harry lying on his bed, his emerald eyes fixed in his phone. His fingers were moving furiously, and the man could only guess that he was probably texting Ron.

"Hey, kid," Sirius called out, his voice filled with warmth.

Harry turned his head slightly to acknowledge his presence, offering a half-hearted smile in return. "Hey. What's up?"

Sirius took a step into the room, lingering in the doorway for a moment, considering his next move. He finally decided to join Harry on the bed, taking a seat on the edge of it.

"..So," he began gently. "I wanted to talk to you about something important."

Harry raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for his godfather to continue.

"We're going to have another visit from a social worker on Wednesday," Sirius revealed, watching Harry closely for any reaction. “You know, to check on us, on how we're doing."

The teenager tensed, propping himself up on his elbows. “Everything was alright the last time, wasn’t it? So.. Er, maybe, why?“

Sirius let out a soft sigh, trying to choose his words carefully. "It's just a routine visit. They want to really make sure that we're providing a safe and stable environment for Draco."

Harry let out a groan at the reminder of Malfoy, sitting cross legged and staring at his godfather with a not too amused expression. "Are you serious?” Sirius opened his mouth to answer the unwitting pun, but the brunette quickly shook his head. “Yes, yes, okay, you are. But… Why now?”

Sirius clicked his tongue, shrugging. “Well, if everything goes well he’ll be with us by the end of the week. That’s also what I wanted to talk about.”

Harry looked down at his hands, contemplating Sirius' words. He couldn't help but compare himself to Draco. The Malfoys had always been renowned for their wealth, prestige, and supposed perfection. Would he disrupt the harmony that had grown between Harry, Sirius, and Remus? Would he effortlessly fit in, weaving his way into their lives, leaving Harry feeling like an outsider once more?

These thoughts gnawed at the brunette’s mind, igniting a battle between his logical understanding of offering Malfoy a chance and his wary, wounded heart. He feared being left behind, overshadowed by someone who seemed to embody everything he was not.

Although, he reminded himself that his place in the men’s lives was secure, his importance unquestionable. No matter who came into the picture, he belonged. He was loved. At least he hoped so.

He let out a frustrated sigh. "Don't expect me to become his best friend overnight." he warned.

Sirius huffed out a laugh. "Of course, fair enough. But just give it a chance, alright? You might be surprised.” he paused. “It’s going to be hard for him, after everything he’s been through, so we have to be considerate and take it one step at a time. Just like we did with you, remember?”

Of course. He had come a long way from that lonely cupboard under the stairs. He had learned to see past appearances and recognize the power of compassion and understanding. And though the idea of Malfoy coming into their lives made him uneasy, there was a small, fragile part of him that wanted to believe in the possibility of change.

Harry's eyes flickered with a mix of doubt and curiosity. "…Alright. Alright, I'll try." he paused before adding, "But if he steps a toe out of line…"

Sirius chuckled, patting his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, I'll be watching him like a hawk. Now, how about we go downstairs and make some dinner? We’ll talk a bit more with Moony, alright?”

Harry nodded reluctantly, and they both stood up. Sirius draped an arm around the teenager's shoulder, gently rubbing his arm. Harry rolled his eyes but still leaned into his godfather's embrace.

“…Also, would it be okay if I told Hermione and Ron about that, uh, whole Malfoy thing?” he asked after a while.

Sirius rose his eyebrow. “You mean: is it okay that you’ve already done it?”

“Er, well-, yeah, I did. It is okay though, ain’t it?”

Sirius shook his head with a fond smile.

The social worker’s visit went well.

Draco would be arriving at their house on Sunday morning.

Over the next few days, Draco resisted eating whenever he could, tried avoiding his physical therapy sessions, and constantly worried about what lay ahead for him.

Time seemed to pass by in a blur, until two more police officers entered his room carrying a garbage bag filled with some of his clothes. Surprisingly, they also returned his phone, which had a cracked screen and had been thoroughly searched. Although he wasn't surprised by this invasion of privacy, as his father would often do the same, unfortunately the phone wouldn't turn on and he couldn't find his charger. So, he played with the phone's case instead, taking it off and putting it back on absentmindedly.

The police officers spoke to him with a mix of pity and bitterness, but Draco paid little attention, already lost in his own thoughts.

His focus only returned when Mrs. Quinn entered the room and the men excused themselves. She handed him a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt, most likely items from the lost and found, instructing him to get ready because a social worker was waiting to take him to his new domicile.

After a quick panic attack, Draco reluctantly, and with some problems because of the cast on his arm, changed into the ill-fitting pants and oversized sweatshirt, which must have looked amusing, and slipped on the worn-out shoes he had been using in the hospital, which originally also weren’t his. Mrs. Quinn returned with one of the policemen to retrieve his belongings, and they all took the elevator down to the ground floor.

Upon arriving, Draco was indeed met by yet another person who, feigning concern, claimed to care about him. He bid a quiet farewell to Mrs. Quinn before leaving the hospital, with the social worker and the policeman trailing closely behind.

He finally had the chance to see the parking lot that he had been gazing at for the past few days and weeks. He took a moment to enjoy the fresh air and savor his probably last moments of simple freedom. Meanwhile, the police officer packed his belongings into the trunk of a red car before opening the passenger door for him. Draco hesitantly climbed in, his body tense and his head hung low. The officer exchanged a few more words with the social worker before they began to drive.

Ms. Ellis, that was the social worker’s name, sat beside him behind the wheel with a calm expression on her face. She spoke softly during the first half of the journey, reassuring him that he no longer had anything to worry about and that they would not hurt him anymore, that he was safe.

Draco tried to deny the reality of who she was referring to, even if he knew damn well what she meant.

The ride to his new “home” felt endless, and the blond spent the time silently staring out the window at houses and people passing by. He didn’t recognize the surroundings, causing his stomach to churn uncomfortably. With each passing moment, they were also moving further away from Malfoy Manor.

The radio played softly in the background, but his mind was too consumed with anxiety to pay it any attention. Even when the woman started humming softly in an attempt to relax the atmosphere, he disregarded the concerned glances she occasionally sent his way.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the car came to a stop and Draco blinked, trying to clear the fog in his mind. They had arrived at Grimmauld Place.

"Do you need a moment?" Ms. Ellis asked, turning off the engine. The teenager’s lips tightened slightly, his brows furrowing as he observed the building, not acknowledging her presence at all.

"It's perfectly okay if you do. We can wait," she reassured, prompting Draco to swiftly turn his head towards her. He wasn't weak, and most importantly, he wasn't scared!

No. No no. Nononono no.

Shaking his head, he straightened his back. Ms. Ellis smiled at him and got out of the car. He watched her carefully in the front mirror as she circled around to the trunk.

When she opened it, he quickly hopped out of the car, making sure not to slam the door. He approached her, partly not wanting her to handle his belongings and partly not wanting her to do something as simple as this for him, it wasn’t her job to do so. He could handle himself just fine.

Despite desperately wanting to, his throat still felt constricted and dry, preventing him from speaking up. After a few seconds of frantic hand gestures from him, Ms. Ellis chuckled softly in understanding. "Ah, alright. What a gentleman you are," and Draco nodded frantically, a tense smile resembling a grimace more appeared at his face.

Without another word, the woman confidently walked towards the front door as if it were her own home. Draco hurriedly grabbed the garbage bag with a disgusted expression, barely managing to hold it in one arm. Even though it was clean, it still held its unfortunate association in his mind. Then, he followed after Ms. Ellis as quickly as his weakened state would allow him.

As the woman rang the doorbell, Draco felt his heart constrict in his chest. The door swung open almost instantly, as if someone had been eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Of course, that someone was Sirius Black, more specifically.

The blond couldn't bring himself to look up at the man who now stood before him, his gaze fixed solemnly on his own shoes.

Ms. Ellis took the initiative and spoke first. "Good morning, Mr. Black. My name is Ms. Ellis, and this is Draco, although I assume you're already aware," she said, placing a reassuring hand on the teenager’s shoulder. But in that moment, the touch felt like a painful burn.

"Yes, yes, of course. I'm glad you're here," Black responded hurriedly, and though he shook hands with the social worker, Draco could feel his eyes lingering on him. "Come on in," he opened the door wider, the hand on the boy’s shoulder gently urging him forward. But he remained frozen in place.

His trembling hand clenched tightly around the garbage bag, the sound of crinkling offering a meager semblance of comfort. In that moment, it was the closest thing he had to hold onto.

He wanted his father.

Would he even ever see him again?

The thought quickened his breath.

"Go ahead, dear," Ms. Ellis coaxed, her voice gentle. But Draco still couldn't bring himself to move.

"Please, don't make me go," he silently pleaded, though his lips remained sealed.