The Man and the Rabbit
Sirius Black had seen many strange things as an Auror, even during his time at Hogwarts. But this creature took the cake. He hadn’t realized until it was too late that he was pinned down by a giant lagomorph and not an animagus. His first thought was that this was possibly a mutated were-creature, but the thing had given his godson some time to run.
No. To disappear. All Sirius could do was yell as his godson fell into the earth. Now he found himself face to face with an irate rabbit man thing. He threw his head back in frustration only to find the white haired male staring down at him, smirking nonchalantly at his predicament.
“What are you doing?! Help me!”
Jack floated in place, crook behind his head and leaned back until he was parallel to Sirius. The rabbit man laughed at his partner’s antics. Sirius felt a substantial pressure come off his chest, only to see that he was still pinned by his thighs.
Aster grinned, before hauling the startled wizard to his feet and dragging him inside the hut. Jack followed, his grin never disappearing from his face.
The last thing Sirius expected was to be dropped into a chair and served tea. Nor was he expecting the rabbit man to sit across from him with his own cup. The white haired male floated right into his own chair, eating a blueberry scone and ignoring them. Sirius drank from his cup, eyeing his odd captors warily.
He’d thought it had all been a sick hallucination brought on by some fever dream in Azkaban. His escape, Mother Nature, the green realm and then, she’d told him. How his godson lived with the Easter Bunny and some winter child. How Harry was no longer a Potter! He didn’t want to believe it, so for the most part, he’d stayed in his animagus form until he was sure everything around him was real.
Mother Nature didn’t say much, she tended to her garden and oversaw the court of seasons and their elemental knights. Then, suddenly he was here-in the Warren with the Easter Bunny and Harry.
Harry was alive and very strange looking.
Harry no longer had James’ looks or even Lily’s eyes. He was different-even had tattoos! He was tanned and his hair!
Mother Nature had been right-Harry Potter was dead. He didn’t know who this other child was, and then he’d taken the chance.
Harry had called him ‘’Uncle Siri” and he knew in his heart of hearts that was his Harry. He didn’t need to know anything else. Now, how was he supposed to take Harry home?!
Aster watched this man-Wizard- turn his thoughts over and over again. As a guardian, he knew who he was. Sirius Orion Black, first born of the infamous Black family and lover of bright red and gold eggs. Although he knew he collected a variety of colors for his younger brother. He loved rock n’ roll and leather jackets and owned a flying motorcycle.
Begrudgingly, he had to admit that he was also Harry Potter’s godfather. Despite his absence, he was legally responsible for Harry. Aster sighed, knowing full well he was not going to enjoy this conversation at all.
“Jackie, head off ta North’s place n’ brin’ the jolly fool, would ya?”
Sirius watched as the young white haired man now known as Jack took off into one of the many tunnels. Aster watched him go, until he disappeared into the darkness of the tunnels.
Now they were truly alone.
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Sirius finished his tea, like a good pure blood and folded his hands, a habit he never got rid of. His mother made sure that at least in public, her children were well behaved. Sirius and Aster stared at each other, neither backing down until Aster all but crumpled into a chair. The wood creaked loudly in the empty room and Sirius watched as the rabbit sighed heavily, his entire body dropping down as if all the gravity in the room was on his shoulders.
“Elderberry, what would ye do?” Aster whispered, as he rubbed his face.
Sirius swore he heard sniffles, but before he could ponder why, his companion sighed once again and regained his composure quickly.
“Sirius Orion Black, my name is Edelweiss Aster Bunnymund, though ye may call me Aster. Harry is my son-“
Sirius rose up suddenly, slamming his hands on the table, “Your son?! That’s Lily and James’ son! MY godson! Yo-you-you’re not even human, how can you claim to be his parent?”
“Listen ya bloody show pony! Harry’s been my son, bearin’ clan markings! I’ve raised ‘im! Clothed ‘im! Protected ‘im! I was there when he would wake up in the middle of the night! Where were ye?!’’
‘’IN AZKABAN! YOU AREN”T SOME FATHER-’’
‘’I’m Harry’s father, that's what matters!’’
‘’YOU! ARE! NOT! HUMAN!’’
Aster rose, the chair clattering to the ground as he did and made a move to grab Sirius. He was tired of this, tired of this man and so exhaustingly sick of Mother Nature. She’d hated that he was the bringer of Spring, the bearer of Hope. She assumed he was treading on her territory, but he didn’t care for the Courts or the other spirits, save for Jack.
‘’ASTER!’’
‘’BUNNY!’’
Twin screams rang out in the air, and Aster quickly found himself enveloped in strong arms-North had gripped him and pulled him away from Sirius. He hadn’t realized how close he was to the man, nearly nose to nose. The last thing Aster saw was Jack literally grabbing Sirius by the back of his collar and flew him right into one of the tunnels, out of sight.
‘’Iz okay, my friend, iz okay,’’ North was stroking Aster’s head, trying to calm the agitated guardian down. Aster hadn’t realized he had tears running down his face, until North wiped them away.
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Jack did not say a word as he all but dragged Sirius through the tunnel-he hadn’t even picked which one, he’d just gone through one at random. Jack was far too worked up to bother with making sure Sirius was comfortable. He’d seen the way the man had gripped his own wand, ready to attack Aster as if he were nothing more than a wild animal. Jack seethed in anger, for Aster.
Aster had been nothing but a loving doting father to Harry and now this wizard had the audacity to try to come between them. Harry had needs, specialized diet and food. He’d never been outside and now, Harry could go anywhere he wanted to. Harry was loved and cherished and protected and alive.
Madam Promfrey had pulled them aside after last year, telling them that Harry had been lucky to have found Aster when he did.
Harry would have been dead. Harry’s body had already begun shutting down and somehow, he’d been saved in the nick of time.
Aster had saved Harry, time and again.
Jack would make sure that Harry and Aster weren’t separated. He’d keep his family safe.
Sirius could do nothing more except wait for this youth-Jack- to let him go or drop him off somewhere. Still, he wouldn’t just let himself be dragged around to Merlin knows where! Taking the opportunity of Jack’s mumbling, he pulled his ankle free and took off back towards the Warren. Maybe Harry was back!
“Stop!” Jack called out. Sirius didn’t stop, didn’t turn around and distinctly heard something slam down but paid no mind until he slammed face first into a solid wall of ice.
“Ugh! What the fuck is this?!”
“Ice, I’m sure you’ve seen it once or twice before,” Jack said leaning on his staff, watching Sirius strike the ice over and over again. The man cursed as his skin turned red and blood trickled down onto the ground.
“Are you done? That’s not going anywhere, so we have all the time in the world to talk,” Jack spat the last word out at Sirius. Sirius stood his ground, leveling his gaze at Jack.
“Whatever,” Sirius plopped himself down, arms folded across his chest. Jack settled himself against the ice wall, enjoying the chill.
“I don’t know much about godfathers and all that, but I do know what a father is-Aster is Harry’s father. You need to understand that. You haven’t been in Harry’s life, not since he was a baby. You don’t know him. Do you know anything about him?! Anything at all?!”
“Harry is my godson! He belongs with me-“
“WHY though?! What makes you think that?”
Sirius slammed his hand down on the ground, teeth grinding and trying to rein in his anger. Harry was his GODSON! Why was he being questioned by this child?! He needed Harry-he was the last link he had to James. James was his friend and Harry was his godson!
‘’HARRY IS MY GODSON! HE BELONGS WITH ME!’’
Jack growled, lunged at Sirius and grabbed him, hoisting him up in the air and slammed him against the wall. ‘’YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE’S BEEN THROUGH! YOU JUST WANT HIM BECAUSE HE’S SUPPOSEDLY YOUR GODSON!’’
‘’He’s my godson! James’ son! My best friend’s son! He belongs with me!’’
‘’HE DOESN’T BELONG TO YOU! HE BELONGS WITH ASTER AND ME!’’
‘’Aster?! He isn’t human! Harry’s human, he needs to be with me!’’
Jack let him go, watching his body slide down onto the earth. He took a step back, breathing hard trying to contain his own rage. He would not use the abilities granted to him by becoming Old Man Winter on a human man. He shut his eyes, turning his face away and counted slowly.
Ten….nine…
Unclench the jaw, relax your face
Eight ... .seven….
Open your eyes, drop your shoulders
Six…five
Loosen your entire body
Four…
Jack took careful measured steps towards the man, said nothing as he fisted his clothing and dragged up towards the opening in the surface. Bright light blinded Jack for a moment before his eyes adjusted and Sirius found himself staring up at the vast countryside of Ottery St. Catchpole. The Weasley house loomed over in the distance.
“Stay away from Harry and especially from Aster. Harry’s happy where he is and if you take him away from that, you’re no godfather. You’re a selfish man who thinks he’s entitled to a person because they’re your best friend’s kid. You don’t deserve him-heck Aster and I probably don’t either. But, we’re his family-all of the guardians are. We’ve been with him through everything and you just got here. You can’t lay claim to him like he’s property. He’s not. He’s a living person and he’s a child. We protect children, all of them. You may not understand, but that’s not your job. It’s ours. We’re the ones who need to understand and protect him. Don’t go near him.”
Jack did not wait for a reply, he simply took off into the air, leaving Sirius Black on the ground.
Sirius waited until the eternal child spirit was out of sight, before turning on his heel, stalking towards the Weasley Home.
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Aster grunted as he pulled another weed out of his garden, tossing it carelessly over his shoulder and he made his way to the next patch of weeds. The hot sun beat down on his frame, soaking his fur, but he didn’t care. North had left to oversee some new toy or other-he hadn’t cared too much either way. It had been hours since Harry had left-maybe a day. Aster did not know why he hadn’t followed after his kit. He wanted to give him space. He needed to give him space.
A cool feeling spread through his back and shoulders, which had Aster sigh in relief. “Jackie,” he sighed and pulled the younger male down to him, chinning him, relishing in his scent. Jack let him, knowing how important this was to his mate. He’d seen Aster do it to Harry over a dozen times since he’d moved in, especially after the incident.
“What?” Jack hadn’t heard Aster when he’d spoken. He extracted himself from his mate’s arms and looked at him, waiting for his question again.
“Where’s Harry? Is he safe?”
Jack bit his lip, and shook his head uncertainly; he’d known Harry was safe but he hadn’t known where the kit had taken off towards. He’d assumed it was a friend or possibly Severus’. The man was a force to be reckoned with on a normal occasion, never mind when Harry was actually involved.
“I think he’s with Draco or Severus?”
Aster sighed, he knew that for the most part Harry was safe and that was enough for him. Aster simply sat right in the dirt, taking Jack with him. For a long time, Aster held tightly to Jack, claws making small pinpricks in the hoodie he wore. Jack didn’t care, he would remain here as long as he needed to. He felt Aster speaking into his hair but did not catch what the words were. He shuffled a bit to give him room to repeat it.
“Jackie,” he began and stopped, tightening his hold on the winter spirit momentarily, “Jackie, Jackie, Jackie…”
Jack had never seen Aster as anything else except confident to the point of arrogance. He had never seen him so broken before. It hurt.
“Aster, it’s okay please tell me,” he begged, arms clutching the taller male-his mate-in a desperate attempt to keep him grounded.
“ ‘m gonna lose ‘im.”
Jack felt a cold dose of water throughout his entire body when he heard those words. He wanted to yell out that Harry would stay with them. They’d be a family. He swore by MiM he’d make it happen.
“Jackie, Aster whispered hoarsely, gripping his arms tighter, holding him and grounding himself, “wizard’s ain’t Guardians. Aye ‘ave no standin’ there. Not in their courtroom and not in Mother Nature’s court-“
“You’re Spring! She has to!”
“Jackie, aye wasn’ always spring. MiM forced her to give it up. As punishment for the crimes of her family. Aye was only eva’ meant ta be Guardian of Hope and Easter. Nothin’ more.”
Aster took a breath, leveling his gaze with Jack, which Jack knew meant he had to wait to ask anything. “See Jackie, Mother Nature was like you in a way and like Sandy and MiM. She was human, a long time ago. Her family name was- is Pitchiner.”
“Pitchiner?! As in Pitch Black?! The boogeyman?”
Jackie, Mother Nature is Pitch’s daughter. Her name is Emily Jane Pitchiner. She’s the last of the royal line of Pitchiner and when she came ‘ere she became Mother Nature. Fer a long time, she ruled the seasons and the court, until Pitch did somethin’ unthinkable no one could forgive ‘im. We guardians came in later on, towards the end of it all. MiM knew that while Emily wasn’ involved, she didn’ stop ‘im. She let Pitch do as he pleased and fer that, the seasonal court and MiM decided that she’d be stripped more o less. Emily became nothin’ more than a figurehead and he power distributed among those who could handle it. Aye took up spring, ye have winter and so and so forth. She’s still got powers, but nothin’ even close to what she originally had.”
“How does this even tie into Harry though?”
Aster took a breath, shuddering as he did, trying to hold back his tears, “The humans at one point or another worshipped Emily, some still do. Ta that point, she holds some standin’ in the wizard’s court. Emily can vote and she’s often the deciding factor if they can’t vote one way o the other. Ta spite me, when the wizamagot is called, she’ll vote for Sirius Black’s favor. Ta the humans, she’s a goddess and none of them would go against her word.”
“W-w-what about Lucius?! Narcissa?! Severus? There has to be someone! We can’t lose Harry!”
Aster looked at his hands, shaking his head, “I don’t know, Jackie. I just don’t know,”.