Chapter Twenty-Seven
The next day found Sirius and Harry sitting outside on the upper balcony swing, a tray of snacks Harry had made after breakfast on the table in front of them and two glasses of lemonade that Harry also made. Henry had been smirking slightly as he watched Harry move around in the kitchen. Sirius felt like he was missing something since every time Harry caught his Papa’s smirking face he’d turn a little red around his cheeks and then ignore him.
Harry had dragged Sirius outside as soon as he was done in the kitchen and they’ve been outside ever since.
“Did you always want to be a professor or was that something you just did to be with your family?” Harry asked, his body turned to Sirius while Sirius stared out into the large yard where he knew the barn was located; he could occasionally see Harry’s hippogriff walk around along with a few Abraxans.
“Nah it was just something I applied for when James pitched the sharing a class idea to Remus. James never wanted the full responsibility of the job and he knew Remus would love it so he compromised with Dumbledore. With James, Lily, and now my husband leaving for Hogwarts I would be alone. Dumbledore approached me and told me the Dueling professor at the time was retiring and if I wanted to shadow this year then take over the next I could and so I did.”
“Did you want to work at all? Or were you happy staying home?”
“A little bit of both I guess.” Sirius shrugged, turning to look at Harry, “After Graduation James and I became Aurors, but then James went into hiding with you and Charlie and I quit to be more of service on the front lines of the war for Dumbledore and I thought I could better protect you guys that way. After what happened we all handled it differently, but ultimately it only took less than a year before Remus and I were moving into the Manor.”
Harry nodded looking down at his fruit kabob that he picked up.
“Is it my turn then?” Sirius asked amused, although he had been asking Harry questions here and there since coming outside, Harry seemed to be taking the lead.
“Sure as long as it’s a good one.” Harry teased making Sirius roll his eyes. He asked a cliche question one time and Harry wasn’t letting him live it down apparently.
“Do you know what you want to do as a career? Or any ideas in general? Not that you have to work of course, but I think I know you well enough that you do not want to stay at home all the time.”
“I have a few ideas, but none I’ve quite settled on yet. Like I think being a dueling master would be cool, but realistically there’s not a lot of career opportunities for that. Sometimes I want to become a Creature Rights Activist and go into politics. Then some nights I think I want to open an Elementary School for magical children and become a member of the School Board on the side. But that one is more unrealistic and you know the one thing you want to do but probably never will.”
“Really? You know you’re not the first person to think of that, but no one has ever actually done it. I think you could do it. But I think you’d also be a great activist. I've seen you argue, as long as we get that magic under control I think you’d be one of the best out there.”
“I do love to argue.” Harry laughed softly, “so I have a more…personal question.”
“Harry, you can ask me anything.” Sirius turned to look at his mate, “Personal or not.”
“You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
“Is this an inappropriate question?” Sirius asked narrowing his eyes at Harry slightly as he wouldn’t be surprised if Harry did decide to spring one on him considering this morning he hadn’t let Sirius leave his bedroom before he gave him a minimum of two kisses.
“No.”
“Then ask away.”
“Why didn’t you and Remus ever have your own kids?”
“Oh…that’s the question.” Sirius said
“You don’t have to-”
“My parents made it so I couldn’t carry a child. When they learned I was dating a halfblood they destroyed my body from the inside with potions and spells. I didn’t notice it right away, but eventually I got a suspicion when I was living with your grandparents and I went to Euphemia with my thoughts. She got a healer over and they told me I would never be able to carry a baby to full term and that it would be better to have that part of my body completely removed. I refused and didn’t tell Remus until our third miscarriage where he convinced me to get it removed for my health and so we didn’t go through a fourth one.”
“Oh I- I’m sorry.”
“Thank you, Harry, but all things happen for a reason and honestly if we would have had a child your age or near it it would be a lot more weird. Sure we raised Charlie and Ariel, but we were also just the fun uncles most of the time. We changed diapers here and there, we babysat for date nights, but we weren’t their parents.”
“Do you guys want kids? I mean you’re about to have an empty house again in a few years. Do you really want to reset the clock so to speak?” Sirius turned from Harry to look out at the open fields as he thought about it.
“I don’t know…on one hand we always wanted kids, but it’s been so long and I mean we’re going to be in our 40s by then…I think I’d like at least one, but I’d be happy with just us too. What about you? Do you want kids or have you not decided yet?”
“I don't only want one if we have them, I want them to have a sibling at least. So maybe two or three. But it’s also not a big deal either way. And you wouldn’t be 40, you’d be like 38 or 39.”
Sirius' eyes widened as he turned to Harry, “That’s like a year or two away. How soon do you want kids?”
“I take it you haven’t read the part of the books that tells you about the first year after mating.”
“I’m like two sections away from it.”
“As an omega I have an increase in fertility especially during heats. Unless I take a specific potion, I will most likely get pregnant within the first year of us mating for the first time. Especially if I don’t double the dose in the month my heat falls in. My heats will become a little irregular after we mate the first time because my body wants to get pregnant even if we don’t want me to. Which is why it was so important to me to not have sex until I was finished with school and definitely not with just anyone like normal teenagers do.”
“So after we mate within a year you’ll most likely be pregnant?”
“Yes, unless we take strict measures to prevent that.”
“And you have to bottom each time we do something?”
“That I don’t know.” Harry admitted shifting slightly, “I didn’t really ask mostly because I didn’t think I needed to. An Alpha can’t bottom in most cases, triads are different though. As long as I’m in a submissive role during sex I think I’ll be fine just like as long as Remus is in a dominant role during it he should be fine. In a triad, hypothetically, the alpha could top the Omega while the third which would be you could top him. Or even other ways. But there’s a dynamic that has to be met to satisfy the Alpha and Omega.”
“So you think Remus could, in theory, bottom one day with you in the picture now?”
“Yeah it’s not unheard of and if Remus wants to of course.”
“Hmmm.” Sirius hummed interested as he looked out to the fields again, “Your turn then?”
“I think so.”
Harry thought about the question he wanted to ask him, in werewolf communities this question would be a big deal, but Sirius didn’t know that. He hesitated for a moment, debated whether to explain it or not, but ultimately decided just to ask.
“Do you want to come meet my pack?” Harry asked, watching as Sirius looked surprised for a moment before he turned to him again.
“What?” Harry would have been more nervous to ask a second time if he didn’t see the hidden excitement in Sirius’ eyes so Harry smiled.
“Do you want to come meet my pack?” He asked again
“Today? Right now?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah! Are you- Is that okay? Aren’t packs like sacred and closed to outsiders?”
“Come on, let's get dressed. Stay casual, don’t forget most if not all of these people don’t have much. Frankie does what he can, but he’s not rich by our standards.” Harry said standing up and waiting for Sirius to do the same.
“Of course.”
***
Soon they were leaving the house, both in simple jeans and a shirt though Harry had stolen one of Sirius’ shirts, not that he minded of course.
“Now hold on, I have to side along with you.” Before Sirius could process Harry’s words he was already being sucked through a tube and spit out at the edge of a large forest.
“A forest.” Sirius didn’t know what he expected, maybe to land directly at the pack location, but maybe that was silly of him.
“This is a secret forest that the werewolves negotiated possession of many decades ago from the Ministry. As long as they stay in this designated spot the Ministry won’t hunt them. All the packs are in here, so we can’t just apparate into the location we have to get there on foot. But lucky for you, you have me, just get on my back when I lay down.”
“On your back?” Sirius asked, confused, turning to Harry just in time to see him shift into his very large wolf form.
Sirius hadn’t seen it often, but each time he did see it he was reminded not only how dangerous Harry was at a blink of an eye, but how beautiful wolves can be especially when Harry shook out his coat. Sirius was taught Lycans were huge, but each time he sees Harry as his wolf he is reminded just how large they are. Harry’s leg was nearly as tall as Sirius was, Harry’s shoulder was right at his head and his withers was probably another foot or more taller than that. Then Harry laid on his belly and looked at Sirius expectantly.
“You’re joking.” Sirius said, but Harry just stared at him, “Fine.” Sirius hesitated before he straddled Harry’s back and grabbed his fur around his neck as Harry rose on all four paws.
Harry stood easily as if it wasn’t the first time having a human on his back which made Sirius very curious as to what Harry does in his spare time. He started off slow, a soft walk then a little faster before breaking into a jog. Each time Sirius had to tighten his grip a little more and his legs then lowered his body when Harry broke out into a run.
It took a moment but soon Sirius could feel the magic around them. The magic that protected something from his view, he could feel the magic licking at his skin in some areas as if Harry strayed too close to a few property wards that he wasn’t allowed into. The forest was full of life though Sirius saw none of it, he could feel it. Thirty minutes of running, the equivalent to at least two hours of walking were they both humans, Harry slowed down until he stopped completely just outside a magical barrier. Sirius shifted to get off but Harry let off a soft growl to stop him and a moment later, to Sirius’ surprise, Frankie appeared.
“Puppy! It’s so good to see you again!” Frankie said coming up to them with a grin before he looked at Sirius, “Well don’t you look cozy. Come on then of course you’re welcome into the pack area.” Sirius felt magic wash over him and where once a magical barrier blocked his view of what was really there, now he could really see it. See the houses and buildings and people milling about though obviously staring at them. Harry took a few steps in and when Sirius felt they were past the wards themselves and not just the barrier Harry dropped to his belly again letting Sirius off.
“I hope you’re prepared to be questioned about your intentions with the puppy.” Frankie said, slapping his shoulder once Sirius was on his feet again staring in awe of where he was.
“Uh huh yeah.” Sirius said, staring at a few young kids running around with sticks in their hands. He felt Frankie slap his shoulder once more before he was walking away leaving him and Harry momentarily alone, “This is your pack?”
“Yeah…well I know Remus never brought you to a pack and it…well it doesn’t matter.” Sirius turned to Harry, his eyebrows pulled together.
“And what?” Sirius asked
“It doesn’t-”
“Of course it does. Tell me.”
“Bringing a mate to meet your pack is sort of a big deal to both Omegas and Alphas. Traditionally for Alphas it is to show off their Omega. Show the Omega that they care for them deeply and to see if their mate gets along with their pack and will one day potentially move to his pack. Omegas traditionally leave their pack for their Alpha’s pack, but sometimes Alphas will leave theirs. The Alpha, while at his pack, will also show their Omega all the ways they can and will provide for them. Either it be financially, physically, emotionally, mentally, and even sexually. They will introduce their Omegas to the leaders of the pack, who to go to if they are in danger, if they need medical care, if they need advice, all that stuff.” Harry explained
“And for Omegas?”
“When an Omega brings their mate to their pack it is a sign of complete trust. This is our safe place, this is our family, we’re letting you in to see that. We’re telling you we want your scent in our safe space, which is a big deal in itself. It can also be seen as a declaration of love or the beginning of love, or it can be done as a way to express their desire to be more intimate in the relationship.It could also just be a way of saying they accept their mate, flaws and all, and they want their pack to meet their mate too.” Sirius smiled as he stared at a slightly red Harry standing beside him.
“So which-” Before Sirius could finish that question, Harry thanked his lucky stars that his Uncle Will was a loud and nosey fucker.
“IS THAT A MATE I SMELL!?” A male voice shouted from somewhere further away, Harry grinned widely as another large man came running from inside a house straight towards them. He went straight to Harry pulling him into a hug before lifting him and spinning him around. Once Harry was on the ground however Sirius became the man’s main target as he eyed him, “And who is this?”
“Oh I’m-” Harry interrupted him by moving to his side quickly and holding his arm with one hand and placing his other hand on his chest to stop him.
“This is my mate, Sirius Black.” And okay that felt amazing.
Sirius could feel pride well up in his chest and he didn’t even know what for all he knew was that he wanted to be introduced as a mate from here on out. Especially if it elicits this feeling each time.
“It’s good to finally put a face to the name. I’m William.” Sirius took the man’s hand and shook it only for the man to yank him forward, his hand tightening, “If you ever make the puppy cry I will turn you into Dog Stew. Are we clear?”
“Crystal.” William let him go smiling widely as he clapped him on his shoulder, “Well I’ll let Harry make the rounds with you. Harry it’s good to see you again. Come by more often.”
Sirius spent the next hour being paraded around and being introduced as Harry’s Mate which did in fact bring a happy prideful feeling to his chest each time. At first Sirius didn’t notice he was only introduced to Alphas, even female ones, but by the time he met almost twenty people and was now being pulled into the house Harry claimed was his, he realized that was in fact the case.
“I didn’t meet any omegas.” Sirius said once the front door was closed.
“Nope. Traditionally you won’t the first time and not until I personally introduce you to them. It’s a sign of respect between Omegas, they won’t introduce themselves to a mated Alpha without their Omega’s approval and they won’t introduce themselves to an unmated Alpha without their Alpha’s. If an Omega comes up to you on their own it’s disrespectful especially the first visit. And if an unmated Omega comes up to you I’m within my right to attack them as it’s seen as a challenge.”
“Really? That’s a bit…medieval.”
“Says the man who had a house lit by candles on the walls.” Harry said, turning to look at him.
“Fair point.” Sirius said, “So if an omega comes up to me when you’re not around?”
“I won’t attack anyone for talking to you, don't worry. Much more civilized than that. I can introduce you to any omega you want, I don’t mind.” Sirius hummed as he looked around the almost empty house. There were a few boxes around and a couch that still had the delivery protective layers on it. A few chairs stacked on top of a dining table.
“So this is your house?” Sirius asked
“Every pack member gets one for their seventeenth birthday. Mines a little different than regular as it’s built around a Lycan in mind, but yeah this is a Pack House. It can easily be expanded for more rooms if needed.” Harry sat on a barstool by the kitchen island while Sirius took a few steps further into the open space to get a better look around.
“It’s nice.” Sirius said looking at the fireplace getting a mental image of him, Remus, and Harry curled up on the couch with a fire going outside, a Yule tree in the corner beautifully decorated and a fancy tea set on a coffee table that Sirius was sure none of them owned unless Harry had a secret tea set collection he didn’t know about. Shaking his head Sirius turned to Harry, finding him staring at the same place he had been.
“Did you have plans for this place?” Sirius asked
“Well…” Here Harry hesitated, but when Sirius turned to him he continued, “I thought maybe we could live here.” Harry said his eyes moving from the fireplace to him, “I know you guys live at the Manor and that’s fine…but Charlie and Ariel might need time to really come to terms with us sharing a bed and not to mention depending what we do next school year we might be alone there and that’ll be lonely just us three…so here. And your place too I suppose…I do like the isolation there.”
Sirius nodded looking around once more, this time more slowly, taking it all in, in more detail.
“I don’t know how Remus would feel about that, but it’s nice and I wouldn’t mind it.” Sirius shrugged
“Remus will come to terms with it. He’s a werewolf, he belongs in a pack, he’ll feel better once he’s here.” Sirius nodded
“Do you want help unpacking some things?” He asked, already moving to the boxes sitting in the dining area, Harry looked over at the boxes and hesitated.
“Before you open those boxes there’s something you should know.” Harry told him, wincing slightly when Sirius was already preparing to open a box.
“What? Do you have hideous dishware?” Sirius teased, opening it and looking down only to find a tea set, a beautiful pine tree design tea set just like he had pictured in his mind.
“I um…collect tea sets.” Sirius wanted to kiss him, “Special ones, casual ones, seasonal ones.” Harry carried on, “It’s pretty bad actually I have a whole display room at home, I’m sure Papa would love to show you sometime I think he showed James already and-What?”
“I just really want to kiss you right now.”
“Over my tea set collection?” Harry asked confused making Sirius laugh
“No…not really. Just- Where do you want these? I’m assuming the shelves?”
“What? But what about my kiss?” Sirius should have seen that coming so he set the kettle he had been holding back in its place then walked to where Harry was still sitting on a barstool. Once he could, he cupped Harry’s jaw and moved in, pressing his lips against Harry’s. Harry's hand went around his waist as he reciprocated, Harry’s back straightening to lean more into the kiss when Sirius tried to cut it short. He cut it off a moment later, listening to Harry’s soft whine and watching the pout form on his lips before he grinned and pressed a very chaste one against his mouth before stepping back.
“Come on.” Sirius walked back to the box and grabbed the matching tray then pulled the entire set from the box. He carried it over to one of the display cases built into the wall. It was just the perfect width to push the tray in and possibly hold two rows if they lined them up just right.
“That one is more seasonal so it goes into the display room.” Harry told him as he came up behind him.
“We’ll organize them later.” Sirius dismissed, excited to see the rest of them now that he knew these boxes were potentially full of tea sets. Sirius felt Harry’s eyes on him as he moved to open the next box.
“You were going to ask me something earlier before Uncle Will interrupted us.”
For a second Sirius was confused why Harry sounded nervous when he spoke, why his voice was a little shaky. Then when he thought about it and remembered he thought he understood. He pressed his lips together to fight back a smile then he licked his lips chasing the taste of Harry’s chapstick he had on today before he turned to his younger mate. Despite sounding nervous there was a small challenge in his eyes as if Harry was daring him to ask the question and receive the answer that would no doubt fluster him just so Harry had the last laugh in this situation. So Sirius smiled and turned away.
“I already know the answer.” Sirius said as he looked down at a beautiful yet simple baby blue one with gold trim. Glancing at Harry he saw him blushing but otherwise he was following Sirius’ lead and beginning on his own box.