New Year’s Day 1999
“Oh, come on do we really need that much champagne Sirius?” Remus asked while arching a brow. “Definitely! It’s New Year’s Eve!!” Sirius answered and smirked. That Sirius Black grin. And once again, it made Remus’ lower belly region flatter. It’s incredible how it still works. Every fucking time since he saw it first. September 1971, on his way to Hogwarts. Remus couldn´t help but to smirk at the memory. A memory he cherished a lot.
He never thought that you could be so in love with a person. If someone would have told young Remus. Eleven years old on his way to Hogwarts. A place that changed his life so drastically, that he and the cheeky boy, Remus pulled a funny face at, upon first seeing him, would be living this life now. He would have probably just chuckled, not even laughed about it. It’s just so unreal. It still seems too good to be true, he thought to himself.
“Hey Dad!” Remus jumped getting dragged out of his memories. “You have to put your party hat on.” A young angelic voice said pouting. “Oh, sorry dear.” He embraced her into a hug. And put the party hat on. The rubber band snapped his chin. He flinched but put on a smile. He loves to make his family happy more than anything.
Another lucky thing he still can’t believe that he has in his life. Their daughter! Hope, just after Remus´ mom. Sirius and Remus never really seemed to think that they would be parents themselves after adopting Harry. The thought about Harry’s adoption and Lily’s and James death and Peter's betrayal sent a shiver up his spine. He shook his head. Today is a good day. No need for unpleasant memories like this. It’s New Year’s Eve. Tomorrow won’t just start a new century; it’ll start a new part in their life as well.
Remus smiled fondly. Sirius and Hope were decorating their Christmas tree with tinsel. To make it more festive as Sirius had explained. Harry was twenty now but still comes around for the holidays. Christmas is Remus' favourite time of the year. He has so many great memories at the Potters back when he spent Christmas break there. The first place he felt like home. After Hogwarts. He likes to have the whole family around.
Harry brought Ginny this year for Remus and Sirius’ excitement. They were so happy for Harry. Maybe a bit too much. After they asked Ginny a bit too many questions over Christmas dinner, Harry summoned them into the small office and asked them, no he didn’t really ask, he more demanded them to stop the intruding. “We just want to get to know her! She obviously makes you happy and we wanna make sure she’s good enough for you...” Sirius shrugged meeting Remus eyes and for a split second. Remus saw disappointment slowly spreading across his face. “And now we know that you are probably not good enough for her... she’s lovely. Sorry Harry.” Remus quickly inserted. Loosening the atmosphere with a joke. It worked. They all laughed and Sirius patted Harry on his shoulder pushing him out the door. “I reckon we’ve got guests. And I don’t think Ginny can hold up alone with Hope any longer.” Sirius smiled again following Harry out the door. But Remus held him back on his arm. “He grows up so fast.” He whispered into his ear. “I know. I know. Bloody horrific. Isn’t it?” Sirius answered. Remus chuckled; he doesn’t hear Sirius speak like this these days very often.
Except for this encounter, the festive days were quite exciting. Hope got her first broom. Sirius thought that being three years is old enough to start with quidditch. Remus just sighted. He was lucky enough to talk him out of getting her one last Christmas. Harry sits on a broom since he’s a year old. Sirius´ argument to justify his behavior. It’s true Harry is truly gifted at quidditch. One of the many things he got from his dad. Every day he gets more like him. So generous and kind. But he has a lot of his mom too. Lilly’s good advice and ears for anyone in need. He’s indeed amazing.
Harry and Ginny were pouring the champagne into four glasses. One with orange juice for Hope. Midnight was still an hour away. But he liked to be prepared. A yawning drew Remus’ attention to Hope who was now on the couch curled up into Sirius’ arms. Almost asleep. “Hey! Don’t fall asleep!” Remus said gently as he came closer to the cuddled-up pair.
Sirius' eyes were closed as well. A string of tingle in his wonderfully, shiny pitch-black hair. He’s forty-one but still looks like the young boy Remus fell in love with. We Blacks don’t age. I’ll always be handsome. One of the good things I inherited. Maybe the only one. Sirius once said. It made Remus sad to think about Sirius' past with his family. Maybe that’s why he’s the most amazing dad to Hope. Because he wants to treat her like he would have liked to be treated. But Remus doesn’t know. They talk a lot but not that much about their feelings. They never did, they never will, they just don’t have to. They simply understand each other. Sirius opened his eyes.
His long lashes slowly brushed against his eyebrows. “Okayyy Moony help me up then.”
He said, challenging Remus. He reached out to take his hand, seeing in the last second the mischievous grin on his face but it was too late. Sirius dragged Remus onto him. Remus obeyed. How could he say no to a family cuddle? Hope was still sleeping on Sirius one side. Remus now nestling on his other. He took a sharp breath in. Sirius smelled fantastic. Most of the new cologne he got him for Christmas.
Harry and Ginny came hand in hand into their direction “A family cuddle without me?” Harry said horrified. “Come on Ginny that’s not okay!” Harry smirked and pulled Ginny on her hand towards them. She squeaked once and stumbled with him. Now they were all laying on top of each other on the couch that was way too small for everyone.
Hope woke up as soon as everyone started laughing and growled annoyed. She started punching Harry and Ginny with her small fists. “Ow” Harry exclaimed and got up. Ginny as well. “Hehe” Hope huffed and snuggled into Sirius' chest again.
“She used magic on me.” Harry’s eyes wide open. Everyone looked at him. Shocked. “Are you for real?” Remus asked Harry. Pure joy slowly spreading through his body. “Yes, I am pretty sure. She was way too strong. I could feel it.” He answered easily. Sirius sat up straight now as well. “Oh Merlin! Yes!” Sirius almost shouted. Throwing little Hope up and down. “My baby is gonna be a wizard!” Remus grinned brightly. That’s amazing news.
They adopted Hope when she was still unborn. A muggle had experienced a weird pregnancy at a young age and decided that she wanted to give her daughter up to adoption, when she was still in the womb. No one was sure what caused the troubles, and it couldn’t be confirmed or denied that Hope was indeed a magical baby. There weren’t many wizard families that wanted to adopt a baby, that might not be magical. But because the chance existed, it wasn´t safe for an adoption in the muggle world. Remus und Sirius heard about this case at a dinner at Marlene’s and Yazmin’s and decided quickly that they would want to help. They always do!
Sirius would never admit it, but Remus knew that he would have been slightly disappointed if Hope wasn´t a wizard. He wouldn’t have loved her any less, of course not! But he just wants everyone to be able to experience going to school at Hogwarts and make the best memories, just as the Marauders did.
——— an hour later ———
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Remus looked around once more, next to him was Sirius holding Hope in his arms and leaning his head on Remus’ shoulder. Harry was standing on his left having his arms locked around Ginny from behind, smiling in her shiny hair. They looked happy. They all did. James and Lily would have been so proud of their son Remus thought as so often and sighs. But he isn’t sad, he could be proud of Harry for them.
…
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“Happy new year!!!” Everyone shouted. Sirius the loudest. Of course.
“I love you dear.” Remus whispered into Sirius' ear and kissed him softly. “Love you too.” He answered against his lips. They broke apart having a huge grin on their faces. “And you Hope, I love the most.” Remus said to Hope who had her tiny hands covering her face after having to witness the small kiss. She giggled. The three of them hugged each other very tightly before turning to Harry and Ginny, who were still deep into their New Year’s kiss. “Happy new year lovebirds.” Sirius interrupted them smiling. Harry opened his arms widely and pulled them all into a hug. “I love you Remus and Sirius! Thank you for everything!”.
“To a new Century! Full of love and happiness.” Remus said. Their champagne glasses clinking.
Remus is already so happy with his life. How could it get any better?
The end