Found Family

Sirius

Sirius woke up at six in the morning and felt like he slept in too long. He had been tossing and turning all night, not able to sleep for more than an hour at a time. He waited until a semi-reasonable hour (6:30) before going downstairs and making breakfast. He prepared pancakes, french toast, cinnamon rolls, eggs, and fruit.

Around eight, Remus came downstairs complaining of the noise, but quickly stopped when he saw all the food being prepared. He walked over to help cut up some strawberries, and when the food was done he cast a warming charm on the plates.

As they waited for the boys to come down, Sirius decided to start planning the day.

“I think that we should go to Quality Quidditch Supplies first, and then to order new robes. The boys will need some for around the house. We could also go to muggle london to get muggle clothes if they would like. We of course need to go to Flourish and Blotts, but I think that can be saved for last so we don’t have to carry books around all afternoon. I’ve also been meaning to ask, do you think we need another owl? The boys don’t have any and neither does Harry since Hedwig died. We can still share one, but maybe we should get two more so they don’t have to wait to get news to us.”

“Pads, you know if you make a plan they won’t follow it. They can shop wherever they’d like, but yes we have to make sure they at least go to the places you mentioned at some point today. We can ask about muggle London, but it’s up to them. I think getting at least one other owl is a good idea, but maybe ask Harry if he wants to help pick one out. We can ask the other boys too.”

“You’re right. I never waited for anyone while shopping, I just rushed so I could go to Zonko’s. That’s a good idea, Moons. Maybe if they help pick out the owl they’ll feel like they could use it whenever they need, which of course they can. We also need to stop by Gringotts. I want to set up an account for each of them. Harry has his own, but the rest of them had their assets frozen after the war. I’m going to give them each money every month, I just don’t know how much they need.”

“I think that since they aren’t expecting anything, any amount would help them. We can ask them later today.”

Just then, Mattheo came downstairs. “Ask us about what?”

“Well we wanted to set up a bank account for each of you, that way when you need something or want to go to Hogsmeade you won’t have to ask and wait for a response. I can set up the accounts later today while you boys shop.” Replied Sirius.

“We don’t need your money, that’s not what we are after. It’s… nice of you to do that, but you can just put it into a joint account and we can split it up from there.”

“We want to make sure you each get equal amounts, and while you finish school you shouldn’t have to worry about financial matters. Of course, we will help you all find work if you want, but you don’t have to.” Remus said.

“I’ll pay you back as soon as I get a good enough job.”

“That’s not necessary. We are technically your legal guardians, and while we won’t hold that over your heads, it would be indecent of us to not support you financially as best as we can. I know you don’t want charity, trust me I was the same way. I didn’t let any of my friends buy me things during school, and even now married to Sirius I don’t like letting him pay for things. You don’t have to use what we give you, but it will be there if you ever need or want something.”

“Thank you…. You both are kinder than I thought possible.”

“Not all Gryffindors are like Dumbledore. I fear he is the worst of us, and I hope you forgive us for not standing up to him sooner. He is just as manipulative now as he was when we were in school.” Sirius said.

“I can tell.”

The room went silent, and Sirius offered Mattheo breakfast, but he preferred to wait until everyone else woke up to eat.

By nine most of the boys had come downstairs for breakfast, some more willingly than others. The last to come down to the dining room was Draco at 9:15, mumbling about beauty sleep while being dragged down the stairs by Theo and Enzo, who didn’t want to wait any longer to start their day.

As everyone sat down to eat, it was easy for Sirius to fall into his routine. He made casual conversation to Remus while making his tea, and started to ask Harry about his plans for the upcoming term.

As Harry started to reply, he noticed the other boys staring at all the food and sitting in silence.

He smiled as he said, “Don’t worry, I felt the same way when I first moved in. I thought I would be in trouble for not being up early enough to cook, and that Sirius would send me back with the Dursleys because he had to do it himself. Then I started cleaning the kitchen by hand after breakfast and almost had a panic attack when Remus told me that I didn’t need to. I thought they were going to lock me in my room and forget I existed for a few days because I kept messing up and was being too loud, but instead Remus taught me a cleaning charm and Sirius said we could take turns making meals. It’s hard to adjust to stability, but eventually you get used to it. It doesn’t make it any less sad that you have to adjust in the first place, though.”

Harry then turned back to Sirius and started talking about his plans to form a study group with Hermione, and Sirius couldn’t help but look at his godson with pride. It had been a struggle raising Harry at first, and years of abuse could not be easily undone, Sirius would know. There were still days where Harry would become closed off and reserved, or where he would fall over himself to be useful and “earn” his place as his ward. But as of late, they both had made major progress in working through their trauma together.

Sirius looked across the table to find both confused and concerned faces (the concern came mainly from Draco) and wondered what had led the boys to believe Harry had been raised lovingly to begin with.

Certainly they had been told something very far from the truth concerning Harry’s upbringing with the Dursleys, and Sirius supposed that wasn’t very surprising. Dumbledore had tried to keep it hidden from everyone, it had seemed.

By the end of breakfast, Remus had been able to get a few short responses from the boys, mainly Enzo. They ranged from one word formalities to vague statements about future plans.

At one point, Mattheo rather angrily announced that he had no plans for his future as no one would be foolish enough to hire him. Remus had replied that he had once thought the same thing, and that even though it was a different situation, he would be happy to help him find some kind of work to start off his adult career with. Sirius promised the same to the other boys, and Harry offered to be put down as a reference for any employers.

After the meal, Sirius prepared himself to give a tour of the property. He was not particularly excited to show every dark corner of the Black family home, but he owed it to the boys to be honest about the kind of place they were living in.

As he started to walk, he allowed the memories to take over his mind. Days causing trouble for Kreacher, defacing family portraits, and most importantly, protecting Regulus from his parent’s inevitable wrath. He now knew the outcome of such a childhood, which made the memories sting just a bit more, but he wouldn’t trade them for anything know that he knew the truth about his brother’s death and could prove that his parents had lost.

Draco

As Sirius guided them around the house, Draco couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking. He knew from his mother that Sirius had hated growing up at Grimmauld.

If he was honest, Draco couldn’t blame him. Even with new decor and less curses on the house, it was no place a child should ever be.

Sirius led them from the dining room to the library, stepping aside at the doorway to let them in. The boys were wary, remembering what Harry had said about the books not liking noise. Remus began to talk at normal volume, though, so Draco figured it must not be an issue anymore.

The library was filled with shelves neatly organized by subject, the majority being focused in the dark arts. As Draco read some of the spines, he recognized more than a few names from the restricted section of the library at Hogwarts.

In one corner of the room was a smaller shelf with what looked like hundreds of thin books. To the side stood a table-like contraption with several dials and a rotating top.

Harry caught him staring and began to explain what it was.

“That is a record player,” Harry said, “you take one of the vinyls, these things here, and put it on the spinning part. Then you put the needle on the vinyl and adjust the speed or volume and it will play a song. Different vinyls have different songs by different musicians, and you can choose which song to play by placing the needle on a certain point.”

“Oh, it seems easy enough,” Draco replied, not sounding at all confident.

“It is once you get the hang of placing the needle at the right point. You just have to make sure you don’t drag it or the vinyl will scratch and the song will skip or stop playing. I can show you if you want.”

“Yes, please do Haz. We can sit in here for a bit before we show everyone the rest of the house,” Sirius interrupted, looking relieved.

“What should I play?” Harry asked Draco, “I assume you aren’t very familiar with muggle music.”

“Not very, but I’ve heard a couple songs on the radio before. You can choose what to play, since you’re familiar with them.”

“Oh, Harry, put on some Bowie. I think that Draco might like his music.” Remus said.

“Are you sure, Moony? It is a bit older, shouldn’t we show them something new?”

“Haz, how dare you call David Bowie’s music old in my presence,” Sirius scolded lightheartedly, “His music is classic. Your father loved his music just as much as we do, it was what we played in our dorm while we worked on pranks.”

“Ok, Bowie it is.” Harry replied.

Draco had no idea why this musician was such a big deal, but he was curious enough to pay attention as Harry pulled out multiple sleeves.

He pulled one vinyl out and placed the needle in the right spot methodically, like he had done it a million times before.

Everyone got comfortable on couches throughout the room, and Harry turned up the volume so everyone could hear the music before sitting down next to Draco.

As the song started, Sirius smiled immediately. “This is one of my favorites,” he said, “Prongs used to say it was my song, we played it at every party too. It’s called Rebel Rebel.”

Draco listened intently, and it really did sound like it was Sirius’ song. He could imagine him playing it to make his parents mad, or singing in the gryfindor common room with his friends.

When the song ended, Sirius said, “Play moony’s song now, Haz.”

Harry found the vinyl just as easily as the first and quickly started the song. When Draco asked what song it was, Remus told him it was called Changes.

Again, he could see why Remus liked the song. It seemed to fit him perfectly.

As the song finished, Harry started to smile. “Time for my favorite. Actually, it’s my dad’s favorite, and that’s why I like it so much. I’ll play my actual favorite next. This one is called Heroes.”

Harry put the song on even more quickly than he had the first two, and it was obvious he listened to this song the most. He sang each word under his breath as if it were second nature, with a smile on his face the whole time. Draco was almost sad when the song ended, but Harry didn’t seem to mind as he got up to find his favorite.

“This song isn’t only by David Bowie, its also by a band called Queen. It’s called Under Pressure.”

That song was made for Harry. Draco watched him as the song played, and every lyric seemed to make more sense with his personality.

Harry caught him staring, but instead of turning away, he watched intently back. The two didn’t notice the song had ended until minutes later, when Sirius cleared his throat and announced that they should finish the tour. Draco looked away ashamed, but not before he saw Harry blush and do the same.

Enzo gave him a look as they walked into the hallway, meaning Draco would probably have to talk to him later about whatever the hell that was.

They went through the downstairs rooms, finding an office, sitting room, ballroom, and seeing the house elves quarters before making it back to the staircase.

At the staircase, Theo asked about all the pictures on the walls. “I thought that only family portraits were supposed to be up, or that’s how it was in my house. They were always so annoying but never had anything useful to say.” Theo said.

“Exactly,” Sirius replied, “that’s why I took them down. Walburga and the others are sitting in the attic as we speak. It took ages to find a way to get rid of the sticking charm on the walls. Now I put my real family up where they belong. It’s mostly pictures of the marauders, but there’s plenty of the girls and Regulus, too. There’s our group picture, we took it right before graduation. Regulus’ friends are in it too.”

It was the biggest picture, other than the one of the order of the phoenix on the other end of the hall. In it, Peter, Remus, Sirius, and James stood in the middle. To the side of James was Regulus, and next to him were Evan, Barty, and Pandora. On the other side next to Peter were Lily, Mary, Marlene, and Dorcas. Sirius explained that Dorcas was one of Regulus’ friends, but was dating Marlene so she stood next to her. He also explained that out of everyone in that picture, only Remus, Mary, and himself are still alive, and that Mary obliviated herself shortly after Sirius went to prison.

Trying to lighten the mood, Harry began to point out what was happening in each picture, and paid special attention to the ones his parents were in. James was always laughing, next to Sirius planning a prank or listening to music with Regulus. Lily was usually with Pandora or Mary in the photos, but sometimes sat next to Remus and Regulus reading. She usually had a fond expression no matter who she was with, and Draco could tell she loved her friends dearly.

When Harry was done speaking, Sirius donned a sad smile. He told them to go upstairs and get dressed, and that they would leave for Diagon Alley in a half hour.

As Draco got dressed, he began to wonder if any of them would make it onto their portrait wall. He doubted that they would, but both Remus and Sirius had already surprised them with their kindness and understanding.

He also thought of Harry. Why had he looked back? Draco decided that it didn’t matter. He would focus on school and not getting involved with Harry’s affairs. Draco was already a death eater, and he didn’t want to complicate Harry’s life any further than he already had. He had resolved to be friends, at best, and nothing more.

“But why did he look back.”