Chapter 1
Sirius
Sirius had finally gotten his life back on track. After twelve years of separation in Azkaban for a crime he didn’t commit, he just wanted to enjoy his freedom with the love of his life. Remus had not been easy to convince of his innocence, but Sirius couldn’t blame him. If he was honest, there were times when Sirius himself would be convinced that the deaths of his best friends were his fault, and that lying to himself about Peter’s betrayal would only make the dementor’s jobs easier.
But when Sirius escaped and Harry Potter found the truth, Remus had to listen. Harry had always taken after both Lily and James, meaning he was loyal to a fault and could always tell right from wrong.
Once Remus had come around, they started to rebuild their relationship and focused especially on Harry. After taking him from the Dursley’s -much to Dumbledore’s displeasure- the three of them started to live at Grimmauld place, Sirius’ childhood home.
At first, Sirius regretted using the property. Most of his childhood was one cruel punishment after another inside these walls, and it was not something he would ever want to relive. But as they continued to live in the home these memories faded, and were instead filled with laughter and life from new memories with Remus and Harry
As the war effort grew, the property began to be used as a meeting place for the Order and its members. For three years, the house was used as a base for the cause his parents despised the most. By the time the Battle of Hogwarts had been fought, no trace of the Noble House of Black remained, and it became the home of the Lupin-Potter’s.
This small family was all Sirius thought he needed. His husband and godson were all the family he had left, and no one could deny that they were his reason for living. So when Dumbledore came to their home in the weeks after the battle and requested they take in four of Harry’s classmates, he had no idea what to think.
Remus
Remus had never been Dumbledore’s biggest fan. He knew the man favored Gryffindors and often blatantly refused to help Slytherin students in their time of need. This made Remus think the worst as the man stood on the porch of their home, holding four green paperwork files and asking Sirius for a favor.
Remus tried to decipher the conversation while walking toward the front door, but still had no idea what he was walking into as he approached the pair.
“Headmaster, what a surprise to see you,” Remus said, “Sirius didn’t inform me any visitors were coming today.”
“Hello Remus, I am sorry to intrude but there are urgent matters regarding some students, one of which being Sirius’ nephew, Draco Malfoy. As you know, Narcissa and Lucius have both been sentenced to Azkaban for their support of Voldemort during the war, as have many other parents of Slytherin students in particular.”
“What he means Moony, is that innocent children are being displaced from their homes because of the crimes of their parents,” Sirius reminded, “and Professor Dumbledore would like us to take four of them into the spare bedrooms so they can continue to heal with support.”
“Precisely.”
“So we will be expected to take care of four children while their parents serve time in Azkaban, and then just give them back when they get out like they were never here to begin with? Or wait until they come of age and decide they no longer want to stay with us? I think it is extremely wishful thinking that they will want to stay here to begin with, let alone think of us as anything more than a necessary tool to finish their education,” Remus replied.
“While i appreciate the critical thinking Mr. Lupin, I have measures in place to insure that the boys stay under your care for the remainder of their time at Hogwarts. If they do not, they will be expelled.”
“So we force them to comply and then what, kick them out or let them leave as soon as they graduate?”
“How you manage your household is completely up to you and Sirius, though I do advise you use caution when dealing with them.”
“Who, besides Draco, will we be taking in then?” Asked Sirius.
“Theodore Nott, Lorenzo Berkshire, and Mattheo Riddle.”
“You want us to take in Voldemort’s son and his three closest friends?”
“Yes”
“Well Headmaster, we will discuss this with Harry and get back to you on our answer.”
“Thank you Mr. lupin, Mr. Black.”
As Remus heard the crack of apparation, he turned to his husband.
“We’re doing this, aren’t we?”
“Absolutely.”