New Year Hijinks

Of course, Teddy wasn´t heartbroken. The kid didn´t knew he was supposed to receive a gift the morning before the Potter´s party. And so, Teddy was sitting in the back seat of Remus car in high spirits while Remus drove to the house of his two best mates.

“Look that!” Teddy exclaimed pointing out to the Potter´s house.

Remus smiled. James and his family always went big. Cause with him it was always all or nothing. So, in consequence, the house looked absolutely beautiful. There where fairy lights still hanging from every inch they could be hung. There were a few Christmas decorations left, the trees in the front garden were still decorated and the entrance had a big and festive balloon arch. James was a fan of balloon arches; honestly, Regulus was sure there would definitely be one at their wedding.

Remus parked the park where he always parked it. Thankfully Regulus and James had saved a spot for him. There was a big white jeep next to where Regulus´s car usually was.

“Must be Regulus´s brothers.” Remus thought.

“Okay buddy, do you want to help me carrying the pot or the book?” asked Remus grabbing the gifts he had brought for Regulus´s brother and for baby Harry.

“Can I be the one to give the book to Harry?” asked Teddy.

“Course.” Remus handed Teddy the book and together they walked into the Potter´s residency hand in hand.

Mind you, they were really early. The party haven´t even started yet, but Remus had promised James to help put up a large tent on the backyard. Besides he was going to leave a bit early since Teddy sleep curfew was at 8:30. So Teddy and him was ringing the Potter´s doorbell at exactly 1:00pm.

“Hey kiddo! My you have grown!” saluted James cheerfully.

James had seen Teddy a few days ago, but he knew Teddy felt rather proud to be growing “as tall as his father”. “One day I´m going to be bigger than my da.” Teddy would brag to James, Reggie and little Harry.

“I brought a gift to Harry!” exclaimed Teddy as greeting. “Is he awake? I want to give it to him!”

“Hi Uncle James.” scolded emus. James waved a hand dismissively.

“Hi Uncle James.” parroted back Teddy.

“Harry is in the back yard with Reggie and Padfoot. Go ahead kid.”

Teddy ran inside the house leaving the adults to great each other.

“Hiya Moony. How´s it going?” said James as he stepped to the side to let Remus in. “Is that plant for Padfoot?”

“Yeah, is a welcome gift.” said Remus showing James the little plant.

Remus and James walk towards the back yard. The Potter´s house was beautiful, with very high ceilings and even though it seemed a bit much for two adults and a baby, Reggie, James and Harry manage to make the mansion feel like a home. There so many toys scattered on the floor. As well as a lot of books scattered on various tables with the bookmark in different places. Some books where barely started other had the bookmark on top of them, which meant Reggie or James had already finished the book but had been too lazy to put it back to the shelf.

“Are you nervous?” asked James as they crossed the door that eld to the backyard porch. Honestly, he was the one that was nervous.

“Nah, if he is your best mate and Reggie's brother, he must be -” Remus couldn´t finished his sentence. His eyes were surely deceiving him.

“Moony?” inquired James.

“Look da! Harry likes the book!” Announced Teddy. Harry, who was on Regulus´s arms was chewing a corner of the book.

“Hi Remus!” saluted Regulus.

In that moment Sirius turned around leaving his work at the tent for a moment to greet the newcomers. As soon as his eyes connected with Remus, he went pale.

Remus walked directly towards Sirius, with long strides full of determination.

“Remus, I can explain -” stammered Sirius taking a few steps back

“Your absolute prick!” said Remus.

“What the fuck?” asked James confused. Had Remus and Sirius met before or was James's tripping?

“James, there are kids!” scolded Reggie.

“What the fuck!” repeated Teddy happily.

Harry threw his book to the ground delighted.

“Remus please let me explain.” pleaded Sirius again.

“Have you two met?” asked Reggie standing between Sirius and Remus.

“This was the prick I told you about. The one from the toy store.” said Remus.

“You did not steal Harry´s gift from Remus?!” asked Regulus scandalized.

"I didn't mean to cause any trouble. I thought the money would help, but I didn't realize how important the toy was. Well, I did but it was important for me too." Sirius admitted, his eyes sincere.

He looked like a scolded puppy and honestly, if Remus weren´t so mad the sight would have melted his heart.

“Wait there must be a logical explanation here, right, Pads?” asked James.

“You are Padfoot?!” asked Remus. Sirius swallowed hard and nodded. “Padfoot as in Prong's best mate? Padfoot as in Reggie´s big brother?”

“The one and only.” said Sirius with a defeated tone, as if trying to make the situation lighter.

“Ugh, I can´t believe this you are such a....” Remus looked at his son. Shite. He couldn´t do this now. Of course, Teddy was happily oblivious to the whole ordeal. He was playing with Harry on the grass. “Here this is for you, prick.” said Remus shoving the pot on Sirius´s hands. “I need a minute. Reggie, could you watch Teddy?”

“Sure Moony.” said Reggie softly.

“Wait, you are Moony?” asked Sirius with wide eyes.

Remus didn´t even answered he headed towards the inside of the house. James knew exactly where he was going.

“I´m going to check on him.” whispered James to his fiancé. “Try and talk some sense into our lovely idiot please.”

James and Regulus parted ways. Regulus beckoned Sirius towards Harry and Teddy so they could watch over them while James went to the kitchen, Remus´s favourite place on the Potter´s house. The kitchen was the first place James and Remus hung out, the place where Effie taught Remus how to change a dipper, the place where Teddy lost his first teeth, the place where Remus cried when his job wasn´t enough to keep him and Teddy afloat. In sum, the kitchen at the Potter´s house was Remus´s place.

James entered quietly. Remus was leaning on the counter with his face in his hands.

“I know I´m probably overreacting, but that stuffed dog meant so much to Teddy, and he just stole it from me and on top of that he left a ridiculous amount of money as if that would fix... that would justify his actions.” spoke Remus removing his hands from his face.

“The dog meant a lot to Teddy or to you?” asked James.

That question hit Remus deeply. People might think James was just a happy go-lucky person but the people who knew him, truly knew him, could testify how wise he was... sometimes.

“Shite Prongs, I saved all I could so I would be able to afford it.” explained Remus. “He didn´t even complained when he didn´t got the dog.”

“He is a great kid.” said James.

“That he is.” sighed Remus.

“But that is because he has a great dad.” pushed James as he placed a reassuring hand on Remus´s shoulder. “Moony you are a great dad. You are doing everything you can.”

Remus hugged James. Fuck he needed to hear those words.

“You know is not about the material stuff and I know Teddy´s happiness means the world to you, and Sirius should have known better.”

“But?” asked Remus suspiciously.

“But you know Reggie, so you know as well as me that money doesn´t buy happiness.” continued James.

“Of course, I know it doesn´t.” scoffed Remus. “I´m just pissed that he stole the dog, after we...”

“After you what?”

“We had a nice chat at the toy store. Don´t look at me like that Potter, I told you the story, you know I found him attractive and then I was just so disappointed.”

“For Teddy or for you?”

“I guess both.” shrugged Remus.

“Listen Moony. I´m not saying what Sirius did was right. I´m just saying that you are a great dad with or without gifting Teddy the dog and I´m also saying Sirius had his reasons.”

Remus raised an eyebrow, intrigued by James's cryptic comment. "Reasons? What could possibly justify taking the stuffed dog?"

James leaned back, choosing his words carefully. "Sirius has a soft spot for... that particular type of stuffed animal. It's not just any toy to him. It's connected to something from his childhood, something he doesn't talk about much."

Remus knew Regulus and his brother had a tough childhood but what on earth could James's mean? And so, he spoke “I´m not following mate.”

James sighed, "Well, without getting into too much detail, let's just say that when Sirius was a kid, he had a similar stuffed dog, a comfort object that got him through some tough times. He carried al of the time, that why I started calling him Padfoot.”

Remus laughed at the adorable image his mind conjured of a young Sirius running around with an iron grip on his loyal stuffed puppy.

“He wanted to give Harry the stuffed dog that belong to him, it was on the house Reggie inherited but a few days ago, when he came back from his trip, he visited the house and well... Reg told him it wasn´t a good idea but Sirius still went. I went with him. Everything was exactly the same expect his room."

“The dog was in the room?” asked Remus caught up on James words.

“The dog used to be in his room yes. But when Sirius entered his room was empty as if he had never lived there.” explained James. “After Sirius left his mother literally burnt all his stuff, that crazy which. She did the same when Regulus left. Can you believe it?”

“That is pretty shit.” said Remus feeling suddenly overwhelmed. A son should never feel ostracized by his parent. Remus's expression softened as he processed the revelation. "I had no idea. Now my reasons for wanting that stuffed dog seem pathetic."

“Hey, no Moony. I´m not telling you this to make you feel bad. I´m just explaining that maniac has deep reasons for his hijikis. Some are valid, some not so much. "It doesn't excuse his actions, Remus. But maybe there's a way to find a middle ground. Sirius can be a git, but he does care. But your reasons are as valid as his. You saved up for that gift and I can only imagine the sacrifices you must have made to save that so please don´t feel bad.”

Remus remembered those last few days after getting his paycheque. He remembers being happy about finally being able to afford the stuffed animal for Teddy. A very specific memory came to his mind.

“Da, can we get hot chocolate?” asked Teddy one afternoon after school. Teddy knew his father loved hot chocolate so the chances of his father declining where slim.

“Sure, thing kiddo. It´s been a long week.” Remus said.

They walked happily to the caffe. Then Remus checked his wallet. “You know what kiddo.” said Remus. “You can get the hot chocolate. I´m not very hungry.” he said.

“That´s okay we can share if you are not that hungry.” offered Teddy. And Remus wanted to cry.

“Nah, I already had a hot chocolate at work.” he lied.

“Cheater!” accused Teddy with his little finger. And Remus swallowed the tears to laugh at his brilliant little boy.

The memory was interrupted with a soft knock on the kitchen door.

“Sorry to interrupt.” said Sirius shyly peeking into the kitchen. “I was hoping I could have a word with Remus.”

James looked at Remus and the tall man nodded. James left the room after patting both on the shoulder. Once they were alone it was Sirius who broke the ice.

“Reggie explained you uhm... financial situation.” said Sirius. Remus opened his eyes widely. “Don´t worry he didn´t went into much detail, he just made me see where you were coming from and basically why was the dog so important to you.”

“Sirius, I-”

“No please. Let me explain, I thought my reasons were more valid than yours, and I know that makes me an asshole, but I really believed that I... that the dog meant more to me because...”

“James explained.” said Remus when Sirius seemed hesitant.

“Oh.”

“He didn´t went into much detail either he just said it meant a lot to you since you were a kid and you wanted to pass that on to Harry.”

“Well yeah.” smiled softly Sirius. “It stills doesn´t make okay me kidnapping Fluffy”

Remus nodded, a sense of understanding blooming between them. "I appreciate you trying to see things from my perspective, Sirius. And I get it now, why the stuffed dog meant so much to you. It's more than just a toy, isn't it?"

Sirius sighed, his gaze dropping momentarily. "Yeah, it is. I hadn't seen it that way for a long time. I guess I lost sight of what it really meant. It was just easier to see it as a connection to my past rather than acknowledging what it meant to someone else."

Remus placed a hand on Sirius's shoulder, offering a reassuring squeeze. "We both got caught up in our own reasons, didn't we?"

Sirius nodded, a flicker of gratitude in his eyes. "Regulus made me realize how selfish I'd been”

“James helped me see the bigger picture.” agreed Remus.

“Guess we´ll have to thank them on our wedding speech.”

Remus coughed loudly clearly being caught off guard by Sirius comment. Padfoot, on the other hand tried to play it off as humour however his bright red face and awkward fidgeting gave him away.

"Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves, we've just resolved a stuffed dog crisis.” chuckled Remus.

“I was joking obviously.” said Sirius, still blushing.

“Got a bit carried away there, didn´t you?” teased Remus.

“Shut up.” Sirius shove Remus playfully.

“I mean I appreciate the enthusiasm but let´s go out on a date first.” laughed Remus.

“Really?” asked Sirius.

He was looking at Remus so hopefully that this time all the walls surrounding Remus heart did melt.

“We´ll see.” said Remus. “I´m still a bit pissed about... Fluffy, you said? But I do enjoy talking to you and James says you are great, and I trust his judge of character.”

"I'm grateful for your understanding, Remus. And I promise, I'll make it up to Teddy.” promised Sirius. The gears in his brain were already beginning to turn and he had already hatched a plan to make it up to Remus and Teddy.

“For the record I´m sorry for yelling at you in front of the kids, and Reggie and James.” grimaced Remus.

"And I'm sorry for kidnapping Padfoot," Sirius added, his eyes reflecting genuine remorse.

“I believe you, Sirius.” said Remus, and he meant it.

“You can call me Padfoot or Pads, that´s what my friends call me.” said Sirius extending his hand. “Friends?”

“Okay. We´ll start with friends.” said Remus shaking his hand. “You can call me Moony, then, i guess.”

Sirius laughed. “You guess? Come on Moons we have made peace and I already have a great plan for you and Teddy.”

“It´s Moony.” corrected Remus. “And honestly, it´s okay. I can see you didn´t meant harm, I´ll think of something elese for Teddy.”

“No, no. My heart is set, Moons-”

“It´s Moony.”

“I like Moons better.” said Sirius quickly before continuing. “Besides, you know first-hand that when I decide on something I will do whatever it takes to make it happen, so I´ll make it up to you.”

“Fine.” said Remus defeated as they walked towards the door. “Have it your way then.”

Sirius rushed to the door so he could open it for Remus. He however, stopped with his hand on the doorknob.

“So, Moony mine, about that date...”

“Don´t push your luck, Padfoot.” said playfully Remus.

Sirius opened the door and James came crashing down to the floor. Reggie was a few steps behind him holding Harry.

“Teddy is in the bathroom.” announced Reggie. “And I told my fiancé not to step so close to the door.”

“That you did love.” said James cheekily still on the floor.

“Were you eavesdropping on us?” asked Sirius faking indignance.

“Maybe,” shrugged Regulus.

“So, everything alright?” asked James as Remus helped him stand up.

“Yeah, I think everything is fine now.”

“Almost everything. I still must make it up to Remus and Teddy.” said Sirius as he walked towards the backyard.

“Padfoot I already told you it´s okay.” Remus called after the raven-haired boy.

“Oi! He is stubborn Remus; you are not going to change his mind.” laughed James.

So yeah, the adults put up the large tent. Teddy had a splendid evening playing with little Harry and Billy Weasley. A lot of people showed up to the Potter´s. Remus felt at home, and even though he talked to a lot of people his eyes always found Sirius in the crowd and the time that Remus didn´t saw him, was only because Sirius was lying on the floor pretending to be Dr. Teddy and Dr. Harry´s patient. Remus was enamored.

“Wipe that smug grim from your face Potter.” whispered Reggie as the engaged couple looked at Remus. Who was looking fondly at Sirius while the raven-haired boy played with the kids.

“I told you they were perfect for each other.” said James still with his smug smile. “Look at them. They are already whipped, and Sirius loves Teddy.”

“They do look happy.” observed Regulus, resting his head on James's shoulder. “I´m sure Sirius will truly make it up to Remus.”

“Yeah, you know him.” agreed James.

That same night, Sirius decided two things. One he was going to make it up to Remus and Teddy and two he was going to marry that tall, beautiful welsh man. And anybody who knew Sirius could tell you that when he decided on something, there was nothing in the world that would make him change his mind.