chapter twenty eight
Back in the present day, it was finally time for the students to board the Hogwarts Express and get back to their academic lives. Pip and Pralice decided to accompany Harry and the Weasleys on their stroll to the station, their mother was busy at work.
Usually, the twins went with the Weasleys or helped Marigold. Such had been the case when Harry went to platform 9 and 3/4 for the first time, the brunette twins so very fascinated by him all the while trying to act grown up and mature for their mother.
Marigold would have to spend all morning fetching muggle-raised first years, waiting on frightened parents to kiss them goodbye, and delivering all the kids to the station in time for departure. Each year there were half a dozen or so, this time was no exception even given the looming threat of a race war.
She had made good time this morning, getting all five eleven-year-olds to King’s Cross twenty minutes early so they had time to adjust to their setting. She leaned against a brick pillar, taking a moment to herself after the hectic start to her day.
The Weasleys, Harry, her twins, and a big black dog entered the secret passage just out of her eyesight. The train would be leaving in five minutes' time by now, so they didn’t have too much time for hugs and kisses.
Pip and Pralice rushed to their mother, proud she was one of the cooler-looking ones. She wore corduroy bell bottoms, a red and yellow striped sweater with a white button-up color shirt peeking out from the neckline. Her hair was slightly messed up from her running around, her two braids evidently needing a retie by now.
She beamed at her daughters, kissing both of their cheeks, and swaying side to side in tight embraces. She brushed a hand through Pip’s hair and swiped an eyelash away from under Pralice’s eye with her thumb, hand cupping her cheekbone.
Harry stood, watching and wondering if he could receive such a maternal goodbye as well. Molly behind him fussed over her youngest four, bidding her own goodbyes and warnings for safety.
Sirius must have noticed he felt slightly left out, as he stood on his hind legs and threw his front paws on the boy’s shoulder. Harry laughed and hugged his godfather back, satisfied.
“Padfoot no!” Molly scolded.
At the mention of the name, Marigold’s head snapped to the left where they stood. Her eyes glistened with excitement, it had been so long since she’d seen this side of Sirius, and it was even more of a shock that he actually decided to accompany Harry with everything going on.
She rushed over, pulling Sirius off so Harry could grab his luggage once more. Mercutio, Pip’s black cat, and Honey, Pralice’s orange tabby, hissed at him from their travel cages. A classmate of Harry’s called out the window, complimenting him on “the cool dog”.
Sirius whined, displeased, but nudged his way to stand between Marigold’s legs. He faced the train, disapproving of the departure for the children. Marigold rolled her eyes at his antics but grinned at Harry.
“You have fun this year kid,” She rubbed his shoulder. “Padfoot and I love you!”
Sirius barked sharply in agreement, and Marigold used her other hand to pet his head, hoping he’d stay quiet.
“I love you both too,” Harry nodded to both of them, hugging Marigold swiftly as Hermione ushered him to board.
The train pulled away soon after, the parents waving goodbye and even some crying. If Sirius weren’t Padfoot currently, he would have absolutely been one of the loudest blubberers. Marigold looked down at him, amused.
“Who let the dog come along?” She mused at him, and he winked back up at her.
She shook her head, trying not to let him see her smile. She walked back with him and Molly to the house, the woman chattering and jabbing dog jokes at Sirius all the while. He didn’t mind, he got to see Harry and the twins off, and now Marigold would have more free time to spend with him.
When the three returned, they heard laughing and clattering from the kitchen. Sirius transformed back into himself, shooting Marigold a knowing look, only Remus and Tonks could be home.
Molly’s eyebrows stitched together, and both of the voices sounded extremely happy. It was a rare tone from Remus, ever so serious and stoic these days. It seemed Tonks had become one of the only people capable of bringing this side out of him.
Sirius entered the threshold first, the other two tip-toeing behind him, hoping to hear what the other two were discussing in such glee. He stood smirking in the doorway for a moment without being noticed, Molly and Marigold peeking out from behind his frame.
Remus was making something on the stove, as Tonks sat on the counter to his right, her hair curled and colored a pinkish red. She grinned at the man, her eyes scanning his face, down to his shoulders and his arms. They both still wore pajamas and had coffee cups nearby half-sipped.
“What’s going on in here?” Sirius finally made his presence known, his best friend and cousin jumping in shock.
“Sirius, we didn’t even hear your mother yell when you got home!” Tonks quickly jumped down from the counter.
“She sleeps in nowadays,” He shrugged, entering the room further.
“You two could’ve slept longer, there isn’t a mission today for you is there?” Molly chittered.
“Well no, but, I heard Remus making coffee down here after you left, and I…” Tonks tried to play the intimate moment off.
Marigold wished they hadn’t intruded, Remus appeared so much more guarded and anxious now. It was evident he felt caught or guilty or something. She leaned her back on the ice box and observed.
“Do you have a crush on my best friend?” Sirius asked abruptly, meaning it to be humourous, but Tonks stilled, Remus frowned, and Marigold cringed at the awkward situation he was making out of it. Molly bit her lip, going to wash some dishes.
“Siri,” Marigold called softly, trying to give the two a break.
“You have my full support pursuing the girl, Mooney, she’s a tad bit young though-“ Sirius continued, trying to smile at Remus.
Remus caught his eye contact for only a minute before he balled his fists and exited, shoulder-checking Sirius on the way out. Sirius’ eyebrows furrowed and he turned to Tonks for a clue. She glared back at him as she in turn fled.
Molly stopped washing the dishes, sending her own disapproving look at the long-haired man.
“What?” Sirius shrugged. He looked to Marigold, fully expecting a giggle or some other sort of positive reaction. Instead, he was met with a blank stare. “Oh, you too?”
Instead of replying, she rolled her eyes at him and pushed off the ice box, trailing Tonks.
Molly ticked her tongue, and Sirius deflated.
“I thought I was being funny, everyone seemed like they could handle a joke at the moment!”
“Go apologize to Remus, Tonks is okay,” Molly instructed, finding the stash of sweets she hid from the kids behind a bag of lentils.
She handed him some chocolates, and took some hard candies with her up the stairs, in pursuit of the other women. She soon found them in Tonks’ quarters, the youngest one of the trio tucked under a blanket in bed, with Marigold seated at her feet on the covers. Molly joined her friend, leaning on a bedpost and offering them both a treat.