Time and Sacrifice: Book 1

Writings

Flashbacks

Silent communication

Date: Friday, January 5, 1996

Time: 9:30 a.m.

Location: Number 12 Grimmauld Place

Albus sat at the head of the kitchen table located at the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix, Number 12 Grimmauld Place. The house's only other current inhabitant was Sirius, who was presently busy trying to contact the other Order members for an emergency meeting that needed to be held immediately. Allowing Albus a momentary respite alone with his frantic thoughts, his mind couldn't help but ruminate over the days' events that had made this meeting necessary. 

Minerva had warned him that he should have taken Dolores' morning announcement more seriously. That whatever had made the woman so gleeful could not bode well for them or the school. Albus could admit he had slight trepidation about what the woman could possibly be planning, but mostly he felt curious. It wasn't difficult to miss what Dolores, and by extension, Cornelius, was trying to do. He knew they wanted to oust him as Headmaster and get Hogwarts under Ministry control. So far, all the rules the Ministry woman had implemented, all the schemes she had concocted, had all fallen short. Today was just another attempt in a long line of failed attempts. Or so he thought. 

That trepidation grew though once he received a summons later in the day for a meeting with Cornelius, Dolores, and Madame Bones. However, it was overpowered by the curiosity that grew tenfold within him. Albus knew that if they had something concrete on him to remove him from power, or to even send him to Azkaban much like he knew Dolores wanted, it would not be revealed in a private meeting. No, if they had anything they would do it in full view of the Wizengamot, or even Hogwarts herself.

So yes, he was curious.

Especially since he didn't believe that he was being called in because of some sudden change of heart. Cornelius had been avoiding him for many months, refusing to speak to him, refusing to listen to reason, refusing to hear any mention of Voldemort’s return. Once he arrived, Albus realized that Minerva was very much correct in her assessment of the situation. He knew she would be happy to hear this if it wasn't going to affect so greatly and deeply several of her lions, one specifically. 

Once again, he could not help but mull over each and every detail of his earlier meeting. When he first stepped foot into Cornelius' office, he could not help but notice the pure unadulterated euphoria and righteousness that radiated off both the Minister and his Undersecretary. Their faces were twisted in gleeful spite. The strength of such vicious enjoyment made Cornelius bounce on the balls of his feet like the child he still has the habit of acting like. This would not have worried Albus. He was used to them believing they had gotten the upper hand on him. However, they realized a moment too late that despite all their efforts to humiliate and get rid of him they had misjudged and miscalculated. No, what had dread pooling in the pit of his stomach was the visage of Amelia.

Albus remembered Amelia Bones as a student. He knew her reputation as Head of the DMLE. Her pursuit of justice, hard work, and unfailing ability to follow the rule of law without corruption led her to become the youngest Head in the history of the DMLE. She had earned her title deservedly, something that no one could deny. It is why looking at her now fills Albus with no small amount of trepidation.

Amelia held herself in such a professional manner that even the most seasoned observers had trouble reading her. Except for Albus, but that was more due to his age and how long he has been around. Under the professional exterior, Albus could see what she was trying to hide. Shoulders stiff and tight as though an immense sudden weight had just been put on them, spine rigid with foreboding, jaw ticking with apprehension, face tight with dread, but most importantly her eyes shone with regret. Without saying a word, Amelia, whose attention was on him solely, told him what he was to expect, what he should have expected, if he had not let his hubris get in the way, from this meeting. 

Barely done with greetings, a letter was shoved into his hands to read. His eyes swept over the words, reading the letter once, twice, three times. He knew without even having to ask that there was no choice in the matter. They would follow its exact directions. Any protest will fall on deaf ears. 

So many questions, so few answers.

Albus knew that once the meeting commenced and he explained why they are here, what is going to be happening, he's not the only one who will be asking questions. He had theories, but nothing definitive.

The sound of light footfalls knocked Albus out of his thoughts. Sirius entered the room, his face closed off and his body taunt. Living in his childhood home was taking a toll on the man. Albus knew that Sirius wanted to do more for the Order, more in the fight against Voldemort, and most importantly for Sirius, more for Harry. There was no doubt in Albus that Sirius would do anything and everything he could to protect and be there for the young boy. It soothed something in Albus to know that two people he failed so greatly had someone in each other to love so fiercely. 

"I've contacted the others as you instructed. They'll all be here momentarily." Sirius' voice is strained. His worry about whatever news they are about to receive is evident, as is his anger at Albus. The anger is always present these days, especially since Harry left. Harry being here for the Christmas holidays had allowed the last Black a glimpse at a life and family he could have had but was unceremoniously and callously denied. 

Albus ached at the thought of all that the other man had been through, of what he had allowed to happen. He thought that everything he had done was for the Greater Good. That all the decisions he had made over the years, all the sacrifices, were for the right reasons. He failed to realize he was falling into the same mindset, the same pattern he did all those years ago. All those years ago where he allowed his hubris to dictate his actions. Actions that he believed would bring him greatness, but instead cost him so much. The cost of his sister's life, and his brother's love. 

 Ariana, just the thought of her still sends a ripple of grief and guilt so strong it feels as if he had just found her lying on the ground still and lifeless. She depended on him, his baby sister, to protect and keep her safe. The love and trust she gave him so freely; he never deserved it.

Although Albus was the eldest child, he allowed the burden of raising and caring for Ariana to fall on the shoulders of his little brother, Aberforth. While Albus looked at Ariana as a burden, a hindrance to his aspiring dreams and plans with Gellert, Aberforth grew up before his time for Ariana. Not because he saw her as a burden, but because she was and will always be his little sister. A little sister who he deeply loved and adored. A little sister who Albus never learned to appreciate until he was staring into her empty eyes. Eyes that always held so much love and warmth, that looked at him as though he was one of the greatest people on Earth.

Great, not because of his magical prowess, or his academics, but great because he was her older brother and to Ariana that was the greatest thing of all. 

Blinded by his own hubris, his supposed greatness and infallibility, he made decisions and took actions all in the name of the Greater Good. A Greater Good that only managed to kill an innocent and destroy his family. 

Looking at Sirius now it rips open wounds that were never truly healed, and now bleeds even more. Once again, he allowed himself to be blinded by his own hubris. He ripped apart a family and denied two people who had lost nearly everything in one night a chance at happiness.

All in the name of the Greater Good.

He allowed a man, a man so good to his very core, who stood up and fought for what was right, despite the pain and suffering it brought him at the hands of his family, to be denied the right to raise his godson and imprisoned.

Sirius could have avoided so much trauma and unhappiness at a young age had he fallen in line with the teachings of his family. His House, so ancient and powerful he would have been treated as a prince during his childhood as the Heir. He would have been lauded with prestige and power when he became head of the family. Instead, even as a young boy, he railed and rebelled against their teachings, against the very notion that he was better than anyone simply because of his blood. Enduring scorn and suffering at the hands of those who should have loved and protected him. Knowing cruelty that others his age would not have thought possible from those he had once called family. Instead of crumbling and falling back in line to the harsh rebukes of his mother and even harsher punishments, he took pride in denouncing his family. He took pride in forging his own family with those whom he chose, and who chose him. 

And Harry, oh dear Harry.

Albus wills away the tears that he cannot afford to show nor shed. Tears that he has no right to as he's the root of so much of the dear boys' pain and misfortune. He had made so many decisions in Harry's life, knowing they would cause him unhappiness. With no thought of consequence, for what is the suffering of one compared to the Greater Good of all? He had knowingly denied the boy a childhood of love the moment he had tasked Hagrid to take him from Sirius' arms and put him on the doorstep of a family he knew would never appreciate or love him. A family who would never show more than unwillingness and scorn for having to raise him. Of course, he had hoped they would grow to have some affection for him over the years he was in their care. However, Harry's emotional needs were not of primary importance to him, the Blood Wards and his physical protection against Voldemort and his followers were. 

Albus thought he was doing the right thing. He thought it was all necessary to prepare the child for his fight against Voldemort. Since Albus had heard the prophecy all those years ago he understood that the final fight would be between Harry and Tom. That fateful Halloween night only solidified that fact. Albus felt profound sorrow that night at the loss of two young people who had such bright futures awaiting them, but he knew it was not over yet.

He had guessed many years ago the extent Tom had gone in his quest for immortality. When he had seen the bloody wound on Harry's forehead, he knew his theory was right. He knew what needed to be done for the Greater Good.

Voldemort wasn't dead. His body was destroyed, and he was too weak from the magical backlash of his failed attempt to kill Harry, but he would be back.

Yes, Voldemort would be back, and it would be up to Harry to defeat him once and for all.

Albus knew that when the time came Harry would have to be ready, he would have to be willing to make the sacrifice to completely remove Voldemort’s darkness from this world. It hurt him to know what he needed to do, but it was all necessary, all for the Greater Good.

Even after Arabella's reports of the child being made to do too much strenuous work for his family, of having too many injuries, of being too small for his age, too sad, they did not sway Albus from his course. Albus listened to her reports, her concerns. He felt a pang of regret and guilt but overall, he knew, he thought, it was all necessary. His unfortunate childhood would help prepare him for what was to come. Teaching him to carry heavy burdens, to persevere in the face of adversity, to survive against the will of others. If Harry felt as though he did not belong to the Non-Magical World, he would embrace the Magical World. That he would do anything to save it. Even if it meant sacrificing himself for it. 

Albus had helped create the savior of the Magical World. He had also held raise the martyr. All because he thought he knew what was best. What was best for the magical public of Great Britain, for the future, for the Greater Good. 

It seems Albus didn't know what was best. Not for anyone. Not for the future. Not even for the Greater Good. Most especially, he didn't know what was best for Harry. Everything he had planned, everything he had thought, had been so sure about, was wrong. Today's meeting at the Ministry further compounded his grievance mistakes.

Umbridge and the Minister had thought that the information that had been found would help their cause. They were only half right. Albus was able to read through the lines. The person, and he may not be completely certain, but he had a pretty good idea of who, that had set all this up wanted to help them, help Harry. Revealing the truth about Harry Potter's life, about his years at school, about his future, while potentially upsetting and emotionally draining, will ultimately help Harry. Help others see how remarkable he is. How everything he has said has been nothing but truth. And hopefully, how to save him from the fate that Voldemort and Dumbledore had given him. 

Regarding himself, his only hope is that he can be forgiven, even if he does not deserve it.

Letting out a shaky exhale he turns towards the other man in the room. One who has lost and suffered so much because of Albus.

"Sirius, I know you are angry with me. Keeping you here was not a punishment. I know how loyal and valuable you are. I am sorry to have kept you in a place that holds very few pleasant memories for you. Now though, you will be needed, more than anyone else will be or has been. You will need to be there for Harry. He will need you, your strength, your support, your love. This meeting, the next few days, will be extremely trying for him. He will need you Sirius." Albus said earnestly, redundantly. He knew Sirius would be there for Harry regardless of what he said.

Sirius whipped his head to his old Headmaster the moment he heard his name. His emotions have been overwhelming since Harry left to go back to Hogwarts.

The Christmas holidays had given him a glimpse of the life the both of them could've had, had he been the one to raise Harry. No one could have replaced James and Lily, but had he raised Harry himself he would have loved him fiercely. Sirius would have made sure that Harry had the childhood Sirius himself never had. Harry would have grown up knowing he had someone who loved him more than anything in the world. That his love for his godson was unconditional and without question. That nothing he did or didn't do would change that.

Harry would have known that he could come to Sirius for anything without fear of being turned away or rebuked. Harry would have been able to express his hopes, dreams, concerns, doubts, and fears to him. Sirius would listen to him and be there to offer him comfort and advice. Sirius wanted to be for Harry what he always wished he had himself growing up. 

Instead that life was taken away the moment Hagrid had taken his sweet and injured godson out of his arms. The familiar weight of the baby boy he held to his chest so often from the many times he would take him from his parents' arms to hold, feed, comfort, and rock him to sleep. That small, fragile, precious weight that carved a permanent place in Sirius' being as if it was always meant to be there. Once the weight was gone, he felt lost, untethered.

The pain of everything he lost, everything his godson had lost came crashing down on him. Grief over losing his best friend, his brother. Grief at the loss of Lily who had become like a sister to him and had loved and embraced him. Two people that accepted him unconditionally when his own family, his own blood had refused to do so. The ache he felt in his heart and body at the thought of not being able to raise and love the boy they had loved so fiercely, so greatly, that they had made the ultimate sacrifice to try to protect him, destroyed him more than all the time he spent in the Dementors' presence.

The grief and pain of their loss was overwhelming, raw. His boy had been taken from him, making everything all the more poignant. Without the weight of Harry in his arms, and the feeling of his hair tickling his cheek and nose, Sirius felt everything at once. Then came the rage. The absolute and all-consuming fury that threatened to choke him. It hit him so hard, so abruptly, that it knocked Sirius to his knees. 

Sirius can still remember the way the ground, the splintered wood, the shattered glass, the brick and stone fragments from the explosion felt digging its way into his knees and hands. He allowed the pain to ground him, to keep him in the here and now. A burning rage was boiling in his veins, pumping the rage and wrath in his heart. This was no longer tempered by James and Lily's son, now his own son, Sirius had one thought. 

Peter.

That traitorous, manipulating rat. This night, this tragedy was not an accident. It wasn't the result of a secret given under duress and torture. This was a betrayal of love, of friendship, of brotherhood. 

This was a betrayal of the family they had built together. 

For months, Peter, that filthy little rat, had deceived them, had manipulated them. For months he had spied and given sensitive information to Voldemort and his Death Eaters. Intelligence that had cost innocent people their lives. That had cost their friends, their families, their lives. 

Fabian and Gideon. 

Dorcas.

Benjy.

Caradoc.

Marlene. Her entire family.

The Bones family.

James and Lily. 

Those last two hit Sirius particularly hard. He still can hear the desperate and agonizing cries of the strongest, most amazing woman he had ever met. Sobs that shattered Sirius' heart into a million pieces. 

"What am I to do, Sirius?" The voice he would have spent the rest of his life listening to was thick with tears of agony and loss.

Just the mere memory of her heartbreakingly devastated voice still tore at him like a vice around his throat making it nearly impossible to breathe.

Peter had destroyed their family. He had spent months, nearly a year selling information to those who would kill the people who would have died for him. He had sowed discord and distrust between them. Had manipulated them into doubting Remus' loyalty. Had made it seem as though because of his condition he had to be the traitor. 

Remus, who had spent their first year terrified that they would find out about him being a werewolf. The boy who had a devastated yet resigned look on his face when the three of them confronted him about his lycanthropy. He was ready to be scorned and tossed out of the place he had found happiness. The boy whose entire body was wrecked with sobs as he clung to them, to the Marauders, when he realized that they weren't confronting him to hurt him but to let him know that his affliction meant nothing to them because he was theirs for now and always.

Peter's betrayal wasn't a spur of a moment thing. It wasn't something where he made a mistake and kept just made it worse by trying to cover it up. 

If that was the case Sirius might be able to understand. He'd still be furious but at least he'd know it was something that spiraled out of Peter's control.

No, what Peter did was calculated. Exploitive. He purposely manipulated them, took advantage of all their fears, their insecurities. Peter used everything that they trusted him with, all their trust and weaknesses, for his own gain.

A new wave of misery and rage swept through Sirius. An overwhelming need for vengeance and retribution flooded him.

Peter had betrayed his family.

Betrayed him.

Betrayed Remus.

Betrayed James and Lily.

Betrayed Harry. 

The thought of Harry dulled the rage inside him momentarily. Only to be replaced by something all the more consuming.

Harry.

Voldemort had tried to kill Harry but failed.

Peter had given the location to get to Harry.

Peter is still alive.

Harry is still alive.

Harry can't be safe with Peter still alive.

The primal need to protect his godson combined with all his other emotions had set Sirius on his next course of action.

He immediately stood up from where he had fallen. Blood covered his hands and knees from where the glass had dug in and pierced through his flesh. He didn't even bother cleaning himself off. He barely noticed the pain from the splinters of wood, the shards of glass, the shattered stone digging into him. The only thing that mattered to him was that the threat to Harry's life be eliminated. 

Sirius did the only thing that made sense in that moment. The only thing that matters. What the song in his blood urged him to do. 

Protect Harry.

Getting up from his position in front of the burning wreckage of the home where so many fond memories were, Sirius went to track Peter down. It took him some time but eventually Sirius had found the rat.

It seemed that Peter forgot that Sirius knew him as well as he knew Sirius. That just how Peter used what he knew against his family, Sirius could easily do the same to protect what remained of his. When Sirius had finally caught up to Peter, he felt victorious, vengeful. Of course, he easily outsmarted, out maneuvered the traitor.

Or so he thought. 

In the end Sirius was the one who ended up in Azkaban. 

Sirius took in the sight of Dumbledore. He looked older than Sirius had ever seen him, older than even his true age. The sight did nothing to curb his anger, his fury at his old Headmaster. Yet, worry creeps up his spine. Not for Dumbledore but for what it means for the rest of them.

What it means for Harry.

"For Harry, that's a request that doesn't even need to be made." It's true. Being there for Harry, looking after him, protecting him, that's all Sirius ever wanted to do since the first moment he held him. There is nothing Sirius wouldn't do for James' boy. For Lily's boy. For his boy. 

"I know dear boy, I know." Sirius can hear the heaviness in his voice. He would be worried, he is worried. Seeing Dumbledore like this, hearing the rawness in his voice, it sends chills, chills that even Azkaban did not cause him, to crawl up and down his spine. He would be demanding to know what's happening, what's going on, is Harry okay, oh Merlin he must be okay. This is if he knew there was a chance Dumbledore would tell him anything. Dumbledore only ever said anything, if he told them anything at all, when he was ready and on his terms. Which means Sirius won't find out any details until the others are here.

Suddenly, Sirius felt the wards shift, letting him know someone was approaching. Soon enough he heard the door squeak open and soft footsteps. He knew it was Remus, familiar with his gait from years of walking the halls of Hogwarts. He knew it from years of sneaking around, planning pranks and adventures, and later fighting side by side, back-to-back in the midst of battle. Turning to face the direction of the door, Sirius watches as Remus steadily makes his way towards him to the kitchen. 

Remus notices Sirius watching him and raises an eyebrow.

"Do you have any idea of what's going on?"

Sirius can't help but give his old friend a baleful look.

"Seriously? Pun intended."

Huffing out an exasperated breath for the use of the old and overused pun Remus just shakes his head at his brother. Down the dark hall and not even in the kitchen yet Remus can see the tightness in Sirius' body, the strain on his face. He can tell what the other man is feeling, what he is thinking, because he is in the same boat. 

"Padfoot. Headmaster." Remus greets both when he enters the kitchen. Sirius feels Remus grab his shoulder and gently squeezes it. Not letting go as he takes a seat to Sirius' left. The hand on his shoulder grounds Sirius, helps release some of the tension from his body that always seems present lately, and helps smother his roiling emotions enough to be able to think more clearly instead of focusing on his rage and helplessness of not being able to do anything of meaning. 

The contact helps both. They've both been alone for so long that the physical contact reminds them they have their best friend, their brother back. It helps smooth the jagged edges when they think of all they have lost and ripped away from them. Of all they have been denied. The family they had spent their youth building, their adulthood mourning, and their present trying to put the fractured pieces back together the best they could. 

"Remus, thank you for coming so quickly." Dumbledore's voice is soft and calm. It fails to ease any of the tension the two men feel. 

 "Of course, it was no trouble at all. I'm here to help and do my part." Of course, it was no problem for Remus. He knew he was needed, not only for the meeting but for Sirius himself. Remus still felt an immense amount of guilt for believing Sirius was the traitor and allowing him to endure 12 years in Azkaban. Even though Sirius knew that nothing that Remus did could change his circumstances.

Merlin, did Sirius miss Remus all these years. His strength, his loyalty, his friendship. It tore Sirius up that he could have ever believed the foul whispers from Peter questioning Remus' allegiance. Had he listened to his heart instead of the poisoned words whispered in his ear, they would both still have James, still have Lilly. Harry would still have his parents. They're family would still be together and whole. Remus would have died, just as Sirius would have, before he betrayed any of them. 

He knew Remus was feeling much the same as him. They had had many chances over the past couple of years to talk about the past. The way they were both made to believe the worst in the other even though it tore them apart to do so. 

They were both ripped away from the family they had spent years building. From Harry. Sirius, may have spent his time in Azkaban, but Remus was denied him because of his condition. He was denied raising him, to even see him because of his furry little problem. For Remus it hurt more than words could ever describe. Sirius understood because he felt that same pain. To be seen as a danger to the baby boy who he would let crawl on him, who he would read to, whose tears he who wipe away, whose bumps and bruises he would kiss, who he would die for, was more painful than anything he had experienced, including his first ever transformation.

It was quiet as they waited for the others to arrive. Sirius and Remus didn't need words to communicate though. They could read each other's body language and facial expressions. A minute shift in stance, the slightest twitch of the face and they could have an entire conversation in a full room with no one else being aware. It was a skill the four, now two, had perfected during their Hogwarts years. 

Outwardly, Remus looked calm and collected, waiting patiently for whatever news they would soon receive. Inwardly, he was as tense and wound up as Sirius. Sirius knew what Remus was thinking, what he was feeling. His worry, his fear. For the family that they have been slowly and painstakingly trying to piece back together. For Harry. It was the same fear that keeps Sirius up at night. More than the nightmares from Azkaban ever could. The knowledge that soon something bad will happen, that war will truly break out, and Harry will be in the center of it.

Sirius' attention moved to the floo when he heard it go off. Soon the four eldest Weasley's walked through. Sirius liked Arthur, always did. He was soft spoken, and extremely kind. The man could get along with anyone, didn't have a bad bone in his body. When it came to his family, he was fiercely protective. He would stand toe to toe against anyone who tried to harm them, fighting ruthlessly and viciously. In recalling the past battles, they fought during the last war, Sirius was impressed and slightly frightened by the genial patriarch. 

 Next were the two eldest Weasley boys, Bill, and Charlie. Sirius hasn't gotten a lot of time to know them, but he did like the two young men. Recalling how Harry informed him how Charlie checked up on him after the first task during the tournament last year to make sure he was safe. How Bill had come to support him during the third task and spent the day with him. The fact that they both had included him and treated him like family immediately upon arrival endeared both young men to Sirius. Yes, Sirius and Remus were eternally grateful to them for treating Harry so kindly and worrying about him. 

The last one out of the floo was Molly. His feelings for the woman were mixed. Sirius and Molly were complete opposites. Molly wanted to coddle the children, keep them in the dark as long and as much as possible. She believed she could keep the war from touching them, keep them out of harm's way. Believing the less they knew, they less they were involved, the safer they will be. Molly was an idealist, clinging to the hope that the adults could handle and end the war. 

Sirius wasn't an idealist. That died the moment he laid eyes on the lifeless body of his brother laying on the staircase. Dead, because he and his family were betrayed by someone he would have died for. 

Realistic. Pragmatic. That was Sirius. Remus would call him cynical. Remus should shut up because they were two of the same but people though Remus was the mature one. 

Sirius wished that Molly was right. That they can shield the children from the horrors of the world, from the war. He wished they would never know what it was like to be in the middle of fighting, fearing for the lives of their friends and loved ones, for their own lives. To think that this was their last moment. Potentially sacrificing themselves so their friend, their family can be saved. 

Molly failed to realize that everything she was trying to protect them from they had already experienced. Sirius remembered the look on Ron and Hermione's faces back in their third year in the Shrieking Shack. They had believed him a murderer, a follower of Voldemort out to kill Harry. They stood between him and Harry, unwavering in their stance to remain with him and protect him. Not even fearing for their own safety.

 "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!"

“Did you hear me?”

“You’ll have to kill all three of us!”

He remembered the words, honest, powerful, protective, full of love and loyalty as Ron stood up on a broken leg to put his body between his best friend, his brother, ready to protect him even through his immense pain. 

He remembered the viciousness and savagery of Hermione's kick when she thought he was there to kill her best friend. She had put all her strength and force into the kick to get him off Harry. Her face twisted to echo the sentiment her red headed friend had put voice to. 

Sirius saw it in their faces. Knew it from the look in their eyes. These three children, these three incredible individuals, have been through hell together. For each other. They have witnessed and been subject to terrifying situations that no one so young should ever experience. This wasn't the first time that they had stood and faced potential danger, potential death together. Protecting each other, standing side by side ready to defend, it was as familiar to them as the feeling of their wands in their hands. 

Seeing the three of them together made happiness and grief well up within him. Happiness, because his godson, the boy he had loved as his own since the moment he was born, had found friends, family that loved him, and he loved, just as fiercely and protectively as the Marauders loved each other. His grief was just as strong because the bond the Marauders had shared had grown from childhood fun and adventure when the bond of the three in front of him grew from survival.

Sirius knew, from that first meeting, that wherever Harry went, Ron and Hermione would follow him. That they would stand beside his godson no matter what. Through life, danger, war. They would fight side by side and face death together. 

As much as he hated it, wished it wasn't true, wish he could protect Harry from everything in the world including the looming war, he knew he couldn't. Sirius knew that Harry would be in the center of it. He knew Voldemort wouldn't leave Harry alone until he was dead. It has been proven time and time again. Each and every time Voldemort had made plans to come back to power his first target had been Harry.

Unfortunately, nothing Sirius could do would change that. He knew his godson had faced more horrors than anyone in the Order realized. The blame of that lay right at the feet of those meant to protect them.

Shortly after he once again felt the wards shift. A few moments later he saw Andromeda and Ted Tonks make their way down the hallway to the kitchen. He was always happy to see Andie. They were the two white sheep of the Black family. Her for running off with a muggleborn, him for sorting into Gryffindor. They both shunned their pure blood supremacy upbringing. They both were still hurt at how easily it was for their own flesh and blood to treat them as pariah. They both found comfort in each other to know that there was someone who shared the same blood, the same name, that still loved them and acknowledged their existence more than just to scorn them. 

Andie took one look at his face, and although she couldn't read him as well as Remus, she knew how he was feeling. She was a Black, and Blacks were fierce and absolute in their feelings. For good or for bad. If a Black loved you, it was to their very core. They would do everything they could to protect them. Their loyalty and devotion were limitless. 

His cousin knew the love he held for his godson. His devotion and protectiveness for Harry. The need he has to be there for him. Andie knew because she had a daughter who she loves with all her heart. A daughter who is a half blood and became a target in the last war. A target of her own aunt to purge the shame of her sister's union with a muggleborn. He remembers her fears of what would happen had Bellatrix gotten ahold of them. The ferocity she fought with to make sure that never happened. 

It was in the nature of those who had Black blood. Their passion. Their devotion. Their need to fight for what is theirs. To protect those they love. They would go through any lengths for those who are theirs.

His dear older cousin knew the pain it caused him that he was limited. That he was unable to truly protect Harry to his full potential.

When Andie stepped into the kitchen Sirius got up to give her a hug. Followed by giving Ted a handshake and clap on the shoulder. He felt Remus stiffen a bit but watched him greet the two newcomers. Sirius couldn't help but give his old friend a smirk. 

As they sat down Remus shot Sirius a look. Eyes squinted and head tilted slightly up.

"Shut up Padfoot. Shut up or there will be consequences."

Sirius with eyes widening and innocent expression.

"Who? Me?"

He watches as Remus eyes narrow even more and angles his tilted head slightly.

"Do not play with me Sirius. You will regret it."

Sirius knew he would. Even as reckless as he could be, he thought better than to push his luck, and risk his safety.

Also, as an adult, he decided to ignore the knowing smirk of the self-satisfied werewolf. 

Git.

Remus reaction to Andie and Ted wasn't due to any dislike. It was quite the opposite. It seemed his old friend had become very fond of a certain vivacious, spunky, accident prone metamorphmagus. He saw the way the other man looked at little Nymphie and despite Remus' own misgivings of doing anything about his feelings for her, Sirius thought that his friend would be good for his younger cousin. He knew that Remus would never try to change Tonks. That he wouldn't make requests of her to change her appearance to better suit his taste. That he wouldn't try to make her into someone she isn't. Remus wouldn’t try and stop her from fighting in this war to appease his own misgivings, would scoff at her clumsiness, fear her temper, quiet her voice. 

Remus who would love and cherish his little cousin for the woman she is. 

 Remus was also scared of how Sirius' cousin would react if she knew his feelings for her daughter. Even though Andie had come from a rich pure-blood family and married a muggleborn, he feared that he would see anger and scorn should he, a werewolf with nothing to his name an no ability to hold down a job would take an interest in her daughter. 

What Remus didn't know was that Andie and Ted both knew what the man felt for their daughter. Secretly they thought it was hilarious that the other man was terrified of them (mostly Andie). They were also extremely happy though that someone like him had feelings for their daughter. He may be a werewolf and older than her, but he treats her with respect and as an equal. Never belittling their girl.

With her abilities, Andie and Ted knew that in past relationships Nymphadora's partners would try to mold her into what she wasn't. Try to have her change and morph the way she looks to better fit their ideal of a perfect woman. It broke their hearts to see their wild and strong-willed daughter to be hurt by the callousness of those who claimed to have feeling for her once they made their request of her. It also filled them with enormous pride that she refused to follow those requests and stayed true to the person she was. 

Andie and Ted know how Remus feels for their Nymphadora. It was hard to miss. It didn't bother them that he was a werewolf nor that he was older than her. They knew the type of person Remus was. His loyalty and devotion to those he loves. His acceptance of people for who they are in their entirety. 

They saw the way the man looked at their daughter. With fondness and deep affection. When others would grow exasperated at her clumsiness and throw jokes at her expense, Remus would make sure she wasn't hurt. He would look at her with understanding and concern, checking her over with tenderness. Remus understood that their daughter wasn't clumsy due to carelessness like the others assumed. It was a byproduct of her constantly shifting herself. Constantly altering different aspects of her body, her presence of self and equilibrium is regularly off balance. Andie and Ted knew that understanding stems from Remus' own monthly transformation. 

Andie remembers during Sirius' sixth year, how he had cried to her because of the cruel prank he had pulled on Snape, nearly killing the other boy. That incident had earned Sirius the full burn of the Marauders ire, effectively shutting him out for a time. What hurt Sirius the most though was not being able to be there for Remus the days after the full moon those few months. To have to watch him try to stumble and try to fit back into the body that endured a forceful torturous and vicious transformation. As though he had to reacquaint himself with his own limbs after a night of having their muscles and bones arranged in a way that was not human. 

Nymphadora's abilities are a gift and do not cause any pain that Remus must endure. Nonetheless, Remus understands the effects shifting can have on one's body. Although Remus circumstances unfortunately cannot be changed as what he must go through was forced on him, Nymphadora's can be contained if she didn't use her powers. Remus understood that as well, although he never recommended, she do so because even though her shifting was the cause of her being clumsy, it was a part of her that she would not not wish to change. Even for a few less bumps and bruises.

Yes, Remus accepted their daughter for every aspect of who she is. Including the infamous Black temper.

Yes, Andie and Ted were very aware of the feelings that the man held for their daughter. They were also aware that their daughter very much reciprocated those feelings.

So, not fearing for his life (he wasn't afraid he was petrified. Whoever thought that Remus was the mature and innocent one of the group had no idea who he truly was), Sirius decided to engaged Andie and Ted into simple, easy conversation to ease the nerves of his best friend being around the parents of the women who he held deep affection for. 

For the next ten minutes the other Order members trickled in. Sirius paused in his conversation is stunned surprise when he saw even Aberforth had showed up.

It was another twenty minutes before the last two people arrived, Kingsley Shacklebott and his cousin Dora. Sirius looked at little Nymphie's face and the little teasing comment he was about to whisper to Remus died in his throat and choked the air out of his lungs. From the moment she was born his sweet rambunctious cousin always had a smile on her face. Even during some of the worst times, she always had a way to keep the darkness at bay with her brightness. She always had a strong presence that radiated with life reminding others that there was always light even in the darkest of times.

Looking at her now, her eyes glistening with tears. The redness of their rims and her cheeks, proof that she had lost the fight of holding them back before arriving him. Barely being able to mask their evidence. Hair, which was usually a vibrant pink, matching the vibrancy of who she is, now mousy brown indicating the hopelessness and anguish surrounding her.

Sirius wasn't the only one to notice the state she was in. He knew both Remus and her parents did as well by the way all three stiffened in their seats. Before even her parents could react, Remus was up and around the table at the entrance of the kitchen. The moment Dora reached Remus she nearly fell into his arms. 

Sirius watched as Remus enveloped her in his arms, all sounds of conversation stopping immediately and the atmosphere growing darker and tenser. He watched the slight tremble going through her body and the way his friend’s arms tightened around her, one hand cradling the back of her head. Sirius knew that Remus was whispering any words of comfort he could, even through his own worry. 

Shifting his attention to Kingsley, Sirius saw the expression on his face. Although better at hiding what he was feeling, Sirius could tell that whatever had affected Dora so much, also has a great effect on him. 

Everything Sirius was feeling earlier, all his roiling emotions, hit him harder than a bludger and intensified tenfold. He knew that whatever news Dumbledore had brought them here for today, the two Aurors already knew. By their reactions, Sirius knew that it was worse than he thought. He can feel the fear of what was to come wrap itself around every inch of himself, suffocating him. 

He watched as Remus and Nymphie separated, only for her to be enveloped into the arms of both her parents who were standing a few feet away. As Remus walked backed to his seat next to Sirius, Andie and Ted were making sure their daughter was okay, talking to her softly. Breaking apart the others made their way to their seats, Dora walking past her parents to sit on Remus' left. Before she passed Sirius, he grabbed her hand and stopped her. Gently squeezing her smaller hand in his and gently places a soft kiss on it, saying to her without words "Whatever it is, we will get through it, as a family." The shaky smile she gives in return nearly breaks his heart.

Once everyone was seated around the table Dumbledore addressed them all.

"I want to thank everyone for coming as quickly as you did and on such short notice." Sirius watches as Dumbledore takes a deep breath in.

"The reason I had requested you all to come is due to unforeseen events that has taken place. Events that Kingsley and Nymphadora have already been made aware of by the Director of Magical Law Enforcement." Amelia. Sirius can't help the sharp intake of breath he takes at just the mention of her title. He can't help the effect she had always had on him. That she still has on him. His feelings for her that never dulled or weakened over all the time they had been apart. Feelings for her that he knows he will always have for her even though he knows doing anything about it will be impossible. She probably hates him for what she thinks he did. He hates himself at his carelessness that put him in that position.

"Mia, I want this, I want us. Forever."

"Sirius, I have a baby now. I'm the only one left who can raise Susan. I'm the only one she has. You can't want to be stuck raising a child you didn't plan on having."

"She has me too. I want Susan as well. All three of us. Together. She's yours now, which means she's mine now. I know you’re her only family now but if you let me, I'll be her family too."

"What are you saying, Siri?"

"Marry me, Amelia Bones. Marry me and make me the happiest man in the world. Marry me and help Lily and Alice keep us in line and knock some sense into me and the others when needed. Marry me and watch as Harry and Neville grow up with Susie, both loving and fearing her because she's as amazing and fierce as her aunt. Marry me Mia and let me love you every day for the rest of my life."

"Yes, Sirius. Yes."

 He feels Remus grip his shoulder a little firmer, Andie enveloped his right hand in both of hers. It grounds him, brings him back to the here and now. It doesn't stop his heart from bleeding at the gaping wound of losing her. 

"Amelia said...it can't be true. You can't really allow for them to do that, Headmaster. Please, he doesn't deserve it." Dora cuts Dumbledore off before he could continue. Her voice is raw from the tears she is trying to hold at bay.

Dumbledore raises his hand to quiet her down. Sirius knows she wanted to say more but the gesture from their leader made the words die in her throat. 

"I know how upsetting it is Nymphadora but unfortunately there is nothing I can do to stop it. Even if I could, I think it would be best not too." Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say to Nymphie. It looked like Kingsley wasn't too happy with Dumbledore's response either.

"What do you mean? How could you think that? After everything he has been through. With what happened before Christmas. Over the summer. During the tournament. The last task. You would think it would be best for him to relieve it? To relieve it in front of everyone?" Nymphie stood so suddenly from her seat during in her outburst her chair had flung backwards and tipped over. Everything about her changed. Gone was the sadness and despair, replaced with righteous fury and fierce protectiveness. Utter contempt. 

Her Black blood was bleeding through, showing how strong it truly was. Hair turning into dark wild curls. Darker than her mother's, wilder than Bellatrix's. Eyes, a silvery blue and a bit more heavy lidded. A fire in them that only a Black could achieve. The way they say more than words ever could. Her height, still on the shorter side, two inches taller yet she looked like she towered over them all with her presence. 

Still worried about what she was referring to, Sirius couldn't help but to smile.

"It wasn't bad enough that my daughter ran off with a muggleborn. A filthy muggleborn! She goes and marries him too. Now she's pregnant with a disgusting little half-blood."  

"It's a stain on the family." 

"No, it's not. She's no longer apart of this family. Her child will never be a Black."

Sirius couldn't help but think how wrong his mother and Druella were. Nymphadora was more Black than any of them were. Her abilities were evidence of that. She was the best of them. Even if she didn't have the name. 

"How could you think to allow this? To not even fight to stop it? It's our job to protect him. It's your job to protect him! To let this happen it would hurt Harry!" Her anger is on full display. Her words echo in the kitchen. She continues to shout her displeasure at Dumbledore.

 Sirius can no longer hear what she is saying. His focus was on two words. He wasn't the only one. He felt any little movement from Remus immediately cease. Every muscle in his body tensing as though he was setting to pounce on and rip apart any possible threat. 

...hurt Harry!

It seems that they weren't the only ones to lock in on that.

"What do you mean hurt Harry?! What happened? I thought he was safe at Hogwarts!" Molly's voice is shrill in her worry. Her outburst triggered an avalanche of sound. Voices quickly rose, higher and higher to be heard over another in the dim light of the kitchen. 

Sirius and Remus were done listening to everyone shouting over one another. 

As one they all rose from their seats and Sirius slammed his hand on the wooden table. Surprised that it was still in one piece with the amount of force he used. Immediately all sound ceases.

"Enough." His voice is low. Barely more than a growl in his throat. It cuts through the sudden deafening silence. He's leaning over the table, gaze sweeping over all present, scorching them with the fire held within their grey depths.

"I'm done listening to everyone as though their yelling and questions will help with anything. With keeping Harry safe." His voice is poisonous. He feels like a snake ready to strike at the slightest provocation. 

"You're going to tell us now what is going on. You're going to tell us what you, in your infinite wisdom, will allow regardless of how it effects my godson." His stare is directly on the aged Headmaster. Intense in his cold fury. 

"Sirius! Watch at how you speak to the Headmaster. You should be more..." Surprisingly, it wasn’t Sirius who didn't allow Molly to finish her tirade.

"Don't. Don't, Molly, just don't." The viciousness in Remus' voice stops Molly from continuing. She wasn't aware that Remus was capable of ever sounding so cold and incensed. Judging by the faces of the people around them, no one other than Sirius was aware. 

Sirius knew that times like these Moony was close to the surface. The primal need to protect what's his, his pack, his family, overwhelming him, allowing his wolf to come to the surface.

Molly sat back down, stunned at the change in the normally gentle man. The quiets allowed Dumble to take over once more.

"Earlier today my presence was requested by the Minister. Upon my arrival waiting for me in his office was Cornelius, along with Dolores and Amelia Bones." Sirius watched Dumbledore take a deep breath to gather his thoughts to explain what had happened. He knew in no uncertain terms, that he would not like what he heard. 

"Dolores revealed that late last night she had made a discovery. It seems she was roaming the castle and had stumbled up the Room of Requirement."  Part of Sirius was curious, and he could tell Remus was too. They believed that they knew every inch of Hogwarts, having had mapped it out themselves, but even they had never heard of such a room. Even though their curiosity was piqued, their worry for Harry outweighed them interrupting the Headmaster to ask any questions about it.

It seems others didn't have that same worry.

"The room of what now?" The question from Dedalus Diggle cut Dumbledore off in his explanation.

"The Room of Requirement is a special room. It's located on the seventh floor. Most of the time it's not there unless a person in need paces in front of it three times asking for what they need." Sirius could tell that people wanted to ask more questions about it but the looks him and Remus were giving the others had them holding their tongues. 

"Upon Dolores' discovery, she ventured into the room and found several items that had been addressed to her. One of which was an envelope that contained several letters. The others were seven books. Nearly everything was spelled to make it unreadable. All except for one letter." Dumbledore stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath like he was fortifying himself for what he was going to say.

"The letter was sent to her, along with the other contents, from the future." Of everything Dumble could have said, Sirius would never have guessed those words would come out of his mouth. 

Every face surrounding the table ranged from complete shock to utter confusion.

"The letter states the books are about Harry's life, and his years at Hogwarts. Past, present, and future. All told from his perspective. Their contents will reveal his secrets, his thoughts, his feelings, his experiences." He watches as Dumbledore takes a deep audible breath. Sees the slight shaking of his hands. The hand on his shoulder tightens to the point of being nearly painful. Sirius couldn't care less. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. Remus did too. Neither of them liked it one bit. 

"The letter had stated that the books should be read to Hogwarts and a number of other people to save the future. It has been determined by Cornelius and Dolores that the letter will be followed, and the public reading will take place." The words are damning. Final. Sirius refuses to let it happen without a fight. Before the knowing eruption explodes of protest and questions, Sirius cuts in before it could even begin.

"No. Absolutely not. They cannot do this. You cannot allow them to." He isn't even yelling. He doesn't need to. His voice is barely above a whisper. The emotion and power in it makes the air around them crackle.

It's the calm before the storm. 

The clouds rolling in before the storm truly starts. 

"Sirius, I know this is difficult but there is a benefit..." No platitudes will calm Sirius.

"Benefit? There is no benefit.  Even if there was it wouldn't be worth it. This is abhorrent. The biggest breach in privacy anyone could ever have thrusted upon them. After everything my godson has been through, you want to place this burden on his shoulders as well?" The sheer amount of audacity these people have to put his Godson, his sweet Harry in for their own gain, for this game they play with his life.

His Harry’s life isn't something to put on a chessboard, isn't something to read about like a bedtime story.

"You speak about burdening Harry, yet you advocate for him to be more informed on matters of a war he has no right to be in?" Molly voice cuts in and Sirius head whips around to look at her. 

Before he can even respond and turn his ire onto the woman, Remus abruptly stands up and addresses her. His eyes a molten gold, his hackles are raised.

"Don't even dare. There is a big difference between wanting to keep Harry informed and actively fighting for the Order." Remus' voice is more of a growl, it rumbles low in his chest, gritted out through his teeth.

"He shouldn't be informed in matters that he has no business being in." Where anyone else would have backed down, would have noticed the danger in Remus' voice, Molly stood her group. 

Sirius would be impressed if she didn't believe she knew what was best for his Harry.

"No business being in? He's in the center of this bloody war! As much as I hate it, as much as it kills me to admit it, this war isn't something that we can keep him from. He won't allow it. Voldemort won't allow. He has been in this war since Voldemort marked him for death when he was a baby!" Sirius can’t help but shout.

His nostrils fill with smoke, his eyes burn. It's hard to see but he needs to find them, needs to make sure they're safe. He trips going up the stairs. 

Hazel eyes stare at him. Usually filled with love and laughter, now dull and empty. 

Oh Merlin, it hurts.

 Red hair splayed across the floor, body limp but curved in a protective position. 

Oh Merlin, why?

Crying, little arms reaching to be held, to be safe. 

Oh Merlin, thank you.

His little boy touched by war and death when all he wanted wanted was love and his family. 

Harry has known nothing but of this war. Its darkness touched him even when he had no idea about Magick.

"I don't want him being informed because I think he's James like you think. I want him informed because I know keeping things from him will only put him in danger. Will only make Harry put himself in danger. Having him informed and finding out what is going on from us will keep him safe from trying to find out on his own. From possibly falling into a trap set by the monster hell bent on trying to kill him." Memories of the bodies that Voldemort left in his wake during his first rise to power were branded into his mind's eye. The way they were broken, mutilated, barely recognizable made him sick. Sometimes there wasn't even a body left, just pieces. The possibility of that ever being Harry....

No, Sirius will never let that happen.

"You treat him like a child who needs to be coddled. By Merlin do I wish we could. I wish I, all of us, could protect Harry and the others from the horrors of this war." His throat is tight, his eyes prickle. Emotion chokes him.

If Sirius could have one thing in this world, one wish to be granted, it would be that his boy would be safe. 

"Harry has been through more than most of us. How many people here can say they faced Voldemort? How many people have we lost at the end of his wand? How many people have we lost at the end of his Death Eaters wand? Harry has continuously survived things that have killed people older, more trained than him." Harry had faced Voldemort and his Death Eaters a little over six months ago and came out of it alive. Entire Family Lines had been eradicated when faced with the same. 

"I wish it wasn't so, but Harry is a part of this war. If you think he will step away from it, you don't know him at all. And wherever Harry goes Ron and Hermione will follow. I saw it from the time they were thirteen. Those three will follow each other to the end of the world and back. There is nothing they wouldn't do for one another." There aren't words to describe how happy it makes Sirius that Harry has that. That he has people who loves him and who he loves, the way James, Remus and Sirius loved each other.

"They will be at the center of this war with Harry. He may try to deter them, if he hasn't already, but there is nothing that will stop them from being with him." That night in the Shrieking Shack has forever carved a place into his memory. Not only for the fact that he was so close to Harry after so long, but because Harry wasn't alone. He'd never would be with those two. 

"I want Harry, all three of them to be informed of what is going on, not because I want them to fight, but because I know they will, and I want them to survive." Sirius' voice breaks on the last word. 

That's what he wants, for Harry, for Ron and Hermione, to survive and live through this way unlike so many others.

Before Sirius knew it, he had his arms full of the sobbing Weasley matriarch. He couldn't help but to wrap his arms around her and give her any comfort he could. They may have butted heads because they had different views on what they should do with the children, of how they should be treated, on how to protect them. But what they both wanted was to protect them, to make sure they survived what was to come. 

"I'm sorry, Sirius. I'm sorry for how I treated you. I just want to keep them safe." He hears the words Molly spoke, broken up by her sobs. Sirius held her even more tightly.

"I know, Molly. I'm happy Harry had you when I wasn't there. I know you love him as one of your own." It was true. Sirius knew the woman loves Harry like her own child. He knew she would fight tooth and nail for him. He may have hated that he wasn't around to be there for Harry, but he was happy he had the Weasley family there for him. Even if it was only for a few years before Sirius became apart of his life. Those years with them ensured it was time he was no longer alone. For that, Sirius was more grateful than he could ever put into words.

"I do love him Sirius. So very much." He couldn't doubt the sincerity and emotion in her voice. 

Collecting herself, Molly stood up straight and tenderly patted Sirius' cheek, followed by doing the same with Remus, then walked back over to her husband who gave her a proud look and a sweet kiss on the cheek.

"Sirius is right, Headmaster. We cannot allow this to happen. We cannot have Harry endure this burden. It's too much for him. It would be too much for anyone." Molly said resolutely, a lioness protecting one of her cubs.

"I know it's an extremely difficult thing to put on him but I'm afraid there is no other choice." The fact that it seems that Dumbledore hasn't even fought against the readings, seems as though he wants them to happen, enrages Sirius anymore.

"There's always a choice, Albus." The fury and passion in Arthur's voice matches that which he himself feels.

"I believe Harry would want this happen." The Headmaster's voice is calm in the swirl of anger around him.

"I know Harry. This would be the last thing he would want. To lay bare everything about himself to hundreds of people. He still has trouble talking to Sirius and myself." Remus' words hurt Sirius, but they are nothing but truth. The fact that Harry still doesn't feel comfortable enough to open up to them, to Sirius, is devastating. It leaves a gaping chasm within Sirius that he continues to painstaking piece together by doing all he can to earn Harry’s trust. 

"But wouldn't the reading allow you to learn everything about him? I know you don't want everything he's been through to be on display for everyone, but at least the two of you would know as well." Dedalus Diggle says.

"Not like this. Everything we want to know about him, everything we want him to tell us about, we want to learn because he trusted us enough to come to us. Not because he was forced to listen to a retelling of it in front of everyone." It wasn't only the fact that Sirius wanted to know everything he could about Harry. More than even the information, Sirius wanted the trust. He wanted the knowledge that the most important person in his life trusted him enough to tell him everything. 

"Exactly. Harry would hate this." It was the same for Remus as well, Sirius knew it, could hear it in his voice.

"Harry of today would. But what about Harry of the future? A Harry who lived through war and most likely lost too many people that he thought a tell all was necessary to save everyone. Isn't that why you didn't put up a fight, Albus? You believe it's Harry that set this whole thing up." Mad-Eye's voice fills the quiet in the room. Both eyes pinned on the leader of their Order.

"I do. The second letter made any lingering doubt disappear for two reasons. Firstly, when the names were listed on who must attend it listed, ‘Remus Lupin and his dog Padfoot.’” Dumbledore gave a meaningful look to them all over his glasses.

Sirius could feel the eyes of the Order on him.

“Secondly, the very last line read, ‘Gather all listed and more than one innocent life will be spared’. It was something I had said to Harry, something I said right before he used a Time-Turner.” They all sat in stunned silence trying to absorb what was just said.

"I believe that as hard as it will be for him, if it means saving just one person, possibly someone who he loves, he will do anything he could to prevent that. Even at the cost of himself." Sirius knew the words Dumbledore spoke were true. Harry had gotten that from his father, from James. James who had thrown himself into danger to save the life of a boy who was his rival. 

"Sirius, Remus, Harry will need you during this." Albus stares into each of their eyes trying to show them how imperative his words are.

Sirius didn't need to be told that Harry would need him. Regardless, he would be there for Harry.

Being there for Harry wasn't a task, it was a privilege.

"All I wanted, all I have ever wanted, from the moment he was born, was to be there for him. To love and protect him. There isn't a thing Remus, and I wouldn't do for him." The words are easier to say than breathing. The truth of them goes down to the very marrow of his bones, to his very soul.

"Sirius, it right." There was no denying that Remus felt the same. Harry was their pride and joy. 

"We'll be there for him as well. He's a part of our family too. So are the both of you." Molly's words are heartfelt and made of steal. It lights a warm glow in Sirius knowing that the woman was now on his side.

"There is another stop I must make before heading back to the school and informing the professors and Harry of what is to come. It seems that the presence of Harry’s muggle family is requested to join as well." Albus said and even his face held some apprehension.

"That should go over well." Dora muttered sarcastically. A dark look came over Remus face as an unpleasant light lit the golden hues of his eyes. A rumble from deep in his chest escaped through clenched teeth. 

As suddenly as it was heard it ceased as Dora but a calming hand over Remus'.

Sirius seriously hoped that Remus would see how good Dora and him would be together. 

"After informing them, I will be headed straight back to Hogwarts. I was wondering if you would accompany me, Sirius, Remus? That way you can be there for Harry when I inform him of everything that has happened." Sirius was torn between pure genuine joy of being able to see Harry soon, and vindictive glee at seeing Harry’s muggle relatives.

"Of course, Headmaster. You don't even have to ask." The glint in Remus' eyes and small smirk he wore showed that he was in much the same position as Sirius.

"I'm ready, let's go." Sirius wanted nothing more than to see Harry. The sooner they left, the sooner they dealt with the Dursley's, the sooner he could see his godson.

"I think it would be prudent of you to first pack what you will need for the next few days." Sirius wanted to argue and say that he had everything he needed.

"Come on Sirius, you'll pack your things with mine." Trust Remus to be the reasonable one. 

"Ted and I will be coming as well. You'll need someone to bring them to Hogwarts. I doubt you'll want them there when you’re explaining everything to Harry. Best not to have them around sooner than necessary." Andromeda informed the Headmaster, not bothering to ask. Sirius couldn't wait to see how Petunia would react to a woman like Andie.

"Of course, thank you Andromeda, Ted. I'll inform Arabella to expect visitors. " Albus said, getting up and heading to the floo to make his way to Private Drive.