#Remus heard what Regulus said and is fighting for his life to not burst out laughing

[fiasco95]

On one side of a library….

Dorcas: What do you look for in a man?

Regulus: Someone who can cook.

Dorcas: Oh??

Regulus: Yeah. If he knows how to cook, I’d marry him on the spot and get down on my knees every—

The other side of the library…

Sirius: Mate, where are you off to—?

James, quickly packing up his bag: I have a cooking lesson to attend.

Sirius: Prongs, you can’t cook for shit!

James, sprinting out of the library: THAT’S WHY I HAVE TO GO

[ourloveisforthelovely]

Alive Again. Part 5

Harry Potter AU

Link to Part 4

Pairings: Regulus Black x Reader 

Rating: T 

_______

Regulus took the steps two at a time until he burst into the bedroom. You barely looked up from your place in the corner. Instead, you focused your attention on Astaria who had finally dozed off. You knew that you would have to face him over his comments but that didn’t mean that you wanted to do it now.

You stood up and gently put the toddler in the bed and tucked her in.

“You didn’t hear everything.”

“I heard enough.”

You replied. Regulus sighed. He never did well when the two of you argued especially when he was the one that came out looking bad.

“But you didn’t hear it all...if you heard it all..”

You didn’t bother standing up to face your husband. Hearing Regulus say that he felt “stuck” made everything seem like some kind of lie. As you thought earlier, your happy marriage wasn’t so happy after all. You “thought” that Regulus was delighted to marry you. He seemed so happy the day of the wedding and every day after. Even if there was something bad going on in your world, he had you to come home to and whatever seemed to be bothering him was placed on the back burner. He smiled more after the wedding than he ever had as a child and teenager.

Now you weren’t sure if you were ever going to smile again. You tried to tell yourself over and over that you were overreacting but you never could make yourself believe it.

“I don’t care.”

You replied. Regulus’ grey eyes narrowed on you as he crossed his arms over his chest. So, you wanted to play that game. Well, it appeared as if he would just have to play and outsmart you as usual. When you got your ass on your shoulder over some small petty thing, Regulus had to find ways to calm you down. This is what he got for falling in love with a pampered princess of a pureblood girl.

“I don’t think that you would be having such a tantrum if you didn’t care.”

You turned around at that. It was almost as if Regulus had pushed your “piss off” button. Sure, maybe he was right. Maybe the two of you were too young to get married but things were the way that they were.

What Regulus didn’t know or seem to realize how much you were still hurting. Regulus didn’t seem to realize how much you had suffered over the past few years. He didn’t see how you almost had fallen apart when he was “dead” but had to pull yourself together for Astaria. All Regulus, apparently, saw was what he was feeling. He was trapped…

Your hands shook as you slid your wedding band off of your hand. Regulus only blinked as you shoved the rings into his hand. He was totally unprepared for this action. Any time that the two of you had a quarrel before, you had never taken your wedding ring off. His mouth dropped as he looked down at the ring.

“Um…”

“Um? That is what you have to say? Um?”

You hissed and decided not to give him a chance to even come up with some lie. You didn’t want to hear it anyway.

“You think that we were too young to get married and that you are stuck...well be free little birdy. Go do whatever it is that you want to do and leave me the hell out of it. You should have just left me with your mother. We were making it. At least, I had good memories of you to think back on. Now I have jack fucking shit!”

You turned and stormed out of the room nearly running into Sirius. Blushing you muttered a quiet apology.

“I’m very sorry. Are there any coffee shops nearby?”

Sirius nodded.

“Yeah, there is a really good one right around the corner? Need some company?”

You ignored the way that Regulus was staring at you from the bedroom. The poor guy was looking down at you wedding ring before looking at you with those “fuck me” eyes that used to get him whatever he wanted.

“If he wants something from Y/n Black then he is going to have to work for it.”

You thought angrily. So what if you were acting like a spoiled child. Regulus knew what he was getting into when he married a girl from the Rosier family. Shit happens…

“Yeah, Sirius. That would be great. I need a latte, a brownie, and two shots of espresso because I am ready to fight God or die trying.”

Sirius turned his attention to his brother mouthing “What the fuck did you do?” Blushing, Regulus looked down at his feet. He was ashamed of himself. To say that he should have chosen his words better was a bit of an understatement. Now that he thought about what he had really said, it was cruel.

Regulus wanted to go after you but he knew better than to even try, at the moment. It was also best to let you go. You needed to calm down. Nothing that Regulus could say would make you happy at the moment and the truth be told...he didn’t know what to say.

“Fight God, huh...well okay...sounds fun.”

(1 hour later)

“I’m an idiot.”

Regulus muttered as Remus slid a shot of whiskey to him. The other man didn’t reply. Regulus knew that Remus was aware of the situation but was probably too polite to voice his concern.

“I’m sure that you can talk to Y/n when she gets back. Give her some time to calm down.”

Regulus laughed bitterly.

“You don’t know anything about her family, do you? Telling her to calm down and listen works as well as baptizing a devil worshipper and expecting them to live a good clean life. She gave me her wedding ring back. That has never happened before. She and I have argued many times and that has never occurred. I can usually smooth talk my way out of whatever it was that I did or didn’t do...not this time. I just stood there and looked at her.”

Remus looked thoughtful for a moment.

“Sounds like dealing with your brother when he’s mad about something.”

Remus was relieved when Regulus smirked.

“I’ve never thought of it that way but yes, it's exactly like dealing with Sirius when he’s mad.”

(meanwhile)

You sat across from Sirius as he placed a steaming cup of coffee in front of you. He quickly took the seat across from you with a grin.

“If you want coffee that will take the paint off of the wall then this is the stuff that will do it. The tea is good too, for future reference.”

You nodded and took a sip of the drink in front of you. Sirius couldn’t help but notice how everything that you did seemed well thought out and dainty. It was no wonder that Regulus had grown to be so protective over you.

“I can’t believe that it has been so many years since we have spoken.”

Sirius commented. He knew the cause...it was him. After he left Grimmauld Place he was as good as dead to anyone in the “inner circle.” This included yourself.  

You looked up.

“I don’t blame you for leaving...just so you know. I was actually envious of you for doing it.”

Sirius looked stunned by that confession. He scooted his chair closer to the table.

“I have never been told that one before.”

He commented. You had the feeling that he didn’t believe your comment.

“I mean it. You got out of our world of growing up looking like sick Victorian flu children. Sirius, you tore up the script and burnt all of the pages.”

“The two of you could have left sooner…”

Sirius started but you stopped him.

“It wasn’t for lack of trying, I assure you. I begged Regulus for us to leave not long after you left but...Regulus felt like he had some sense of duty to your parents.”

Sirius rolled his eyes. This was no revelation for Sirius.

“He was treated like an only child and a little king...it was no wonder he didn’t want to leave.”

You pressed your lips together for a moment.

“Yes, Regulus was a spoiled child, as was I but he missed you. Your parents, even though they never said it, they missed you too. I think as Walburga has gotten older she has seen the error in some of her ways. You would be surprised if you saw how wonderful she has treated Astaria.”

Sirius rolled his eyes at that. The day Walburga Black saw that she had done something wrong was the day that Sirius became an astronaut.

“What are you going to tell my brother when you get back?”

You sighed at that one. What were you going to tell Regulus? You had calmed down a bit since leaving the house.

“I’m not sure. I know that I will have to face him. If not for myself but for Astaria. She’s already in love with him. I’m in love with him...maybe I overreacted.”

“You did hear the bad part of the conversation. After you left he said that he felt guilty that you had to do everything alone and that you were the only one to make him happy.”

For a moment, Sirius was afraid that you were going to cry. When you gathered your feelings and looked back up, Sirius felt relieved.

“I would have rather had him with me too but he had a job. It was a dangerous but brave job. Regulus could have washed his hands of the whole thing and ran off with me as we wanted...but he didn’t. Trust me, we talked about leaving multiple times before but Regulus finally said no. He had the locket to deal with. You know your brother...if Regulus doesn’t do it then he doesn’t think anyone else will.”

Sirius had to agree with you on that one. Regulus had always had that “no one will do it right, so I might as well do it” attitude from childhood.

“I only wish that the two of you would have come to the order for help.”

“Regulus wouldn't hear of putting you in danger. He plays hard to get but your brother loves you very much.”

Sirius smiled and stood up.

“Well, let's head back so I can hug the little jerk.”

Stepping back into Sirius and Remus’ flat, you could hear Astaria saying “No, that’s yucky” over and over. Giving Sirius a shrug you followed the sounds of your daughter’s voice into the kitchen. Astaria sat with her face pressed against Regulus’ chest as he and Remus tried feebly to get her to eat what looked like broccoli.

“Why don’t you try a small bite?”

Regulus asked as he gently tried to pry the toddler off of him but was getting nowhere. She held on better than the damned inferi did. Her little hands were locked in his robes and was not about to let go.

“No! It's green and smells yucky.”

“How about the nice peanut butter sandwich?”

Remus asked, softly. Again, the little girl shook her head and sobbed harder into her father’s chest.

“The bread has stuff in it!”

“It's healthy bread.”

Regulus said, replied as he tried struggling with getting her to turn around again.

“Healthy tastes like sadness.”

You turned to Sirius, who was silently laughing at the scene in front of him.

“What are you two doing to that poor child?”

Remus stood up, deciding he had a lot of “uncle skills” to work on.

“Well, we are trying to feed her but she won’t have any part of it.”

You took your coat off before turning your attention back to Astaria.

“Love, what’s wrong?”

Astaria poked her head up and started reaching for you with tear-filled eyes.

“Mummy, they are trying to kill me! I don’t like green!”

Regulus, meanwhile, looked ready to lose it himself.

“She doesn’t like anything healthy.”

You nodded, fighting an urge to make a comment about Astaria being as dramatic as her father.

“She’s two. What two-year-olds do you know that like vegetables? Astaria , do you want a jelly sandwich like grandma makes?”

The little girl nodded as she stubbornly gave Regulus a glare.

“I’ve got this. I know how grandma makes jelly sandwiches.”

Sirius replied with a smile. He quickly threw a sandwich together and took Astaria out of Regulus’ arms. Sirius fought the urge to giggle at the sneer on his brother’s face.

“Here sweetie, let see how you like this. Uncle Sirius won't' try to make you eat nasty broccoli.”

Astaria took a hesitant bite as if she was looking for any excuse not to like what was given to her. She quickly started eating with a happy grin.

“Tastes like grandma’s sandwiches.”

Regulus stood up, shaking his head. He turned his attention back to you.

“Can we talk, please?”

Your eyes had been focused on Astaria to make sure that she didn’t find any reason to give Sirius grief but decided to turn your attention back to Regulus.

“Sure, that is a good idea.”

_____

@amelie-black

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@shitfaceddaniel

@spiderxalmighty

[hpdabbles]

Regulus in a crop top and James is jealous please.

Bonus if Wolfstar are also in the fic.

Thanks! Love your stuff.

There were a lot of changes now that two of the Marauders were married to each other. One of them was the dynamics of the group.

 When Remus and Sirius started dating it made things a little awkward for James and Peter since the two couldn’t keep their hands off of each other. Oftentimes they wind up disappearing to only return with flushed faces and wrinkled clothing, making outings a bit rough since Peter and James had to sit there waiting for them to come back trying really hard not to acknowledge was happening a few feet away. 

The fact that the other two had to often remind the lovebirds to please use a silencing charm at night in the dorms was enough reason for them to both be very happy for their friends and also very angry.  

Yet anyone with eyes and ears could see that the two were madly in love with each other. It came as no surprise right after Hogwarts the two ended up moving in together while Peter had found a ministry desk job that came with monetary boarding until he finished his apprenticeship if he wanted to move up.  James himself had always thought he be rooming with Sirius or married to Lily Evans after Hogwarts, but life didn’t seem to follow childhood dreams.

Lily made it clear that she only saw James as a friend after their first date went south and he was hurt for a long time, hurt even now, but he knew it was time to let her go. She didn’t love him and he couldn’t keep pressing her for something that wasn’t going to work. 

He hadn’t heard of her since graduation four years ago but he was sure she was doing amazing because she is amazing.

James himself was working to be a Auror, to help the war effort, yet his flat felt so empty and he hated being there on his own especially with his parents passing a few days after his graduation. He always looked for excuses to visit his friends but tried to keep from being overbearing. On one of his surprise visits to Remus’ and Sirius’ flat he encounter another large change now that his best fiends were married.

That came in the form of Regulus Black, Sirius younger brother he never cared too much about as Sirius avoid the other boy like the plague in school. James didn’t know the full story of how the brothers reconnected but he knew that it was Regulus using his new found Hire Apparent status to officiate Sirius’ and Remus’s wedding and thus giving the werewolf full citizenship that would later allow the two to blood adopt should they choose. 

The Werewolf Capture Unit could no longer touch him as a official member of the Ancient and Noble House of Black, disown husband none standing. If Remus is to ever be outed, there was no chance of him being excecated. It was a relief for everyone in the know.

Regulus had apparently been the only Black to support the unity and had been kicked out of his home by his parents for his efforts in helping his older brother. Of course Padfoot took him in and now the younger man was staying with the newlyweds until he got back on his feet, exploring the word and himself with new found freedom.

James just wished this new found freedom didn’t included crop tops. 

“Bloody hell that bastard is practically panting on him” He growls watching a wizard lean into Regulus’s space as the shorter man eagerly explain some magical theory or another. The teenager was hopping to be a Unspeakable  apprentice to study magic soon. He was plain adorable when he got going on his ideas. 

The young Black didn’t even seem to be aware of what was happening, not seeming to think the black crop top coupled with the those tight trousers made him look like a delicious snack to the starving Aurors who were attending the charity function for the department. “Padfoot, tell him to get away from Regulus already!”

“Why?” Sirius asks from his left. His Aurors partner was much too relax with his colleagues taking a interest in his brother in James’ opinion. “Reggie isn’t bothered by him and he seems to be having a good time.”

“That’s because he thinks the other bloke actually cares about how wands shouldn’t be passed down in generations!” James hisses, not missing the way Regulus turns, the slip of skin the crop top shows making the action more seductive then it should be for the way he was moving his arms and talking about genetics effects on wand’s cores. The Auror’s eyes followed the movement with clear appreciation and it made something nasty burn through James’ chest. “For Merlin’s sake, he is just a child!”

“Reggie is nineteen Progs.” Sirius sighs. “He graduated Hogwarts and he can date who he wants as long as they treat him right. Merlin’s beard knows he deserves a good bloke after everything we been though in this war. Thank heavens Neville Longbottom put a end to it all.”

Ah yes, the Boy-Who-Lived, the hero that gave them all the ending of a bloody war. 

“You know who likes to argue a baby couldn’t have killed He-Who-Should-Not-Be-Named? Regulus. I’ll best go fetch him and ask him about his theories-” He rose from his chair but Sirius planted a hand on his shoulder forcing him back down.

“Oh no you don’t. Look Prongs, I know you fancy Reggie but this jealousy bit needs to end. Either you man up and tell him, or you let him meet someone. But you will not stand in the way of-”

“W-w-what!? Me, fancy Regulus!? Padfoot don’t be ridiculous!” James spluttered face bursting red. “Regulus is a boy!”

Sirius raised a unimpressed eyebrow.  “Yes he is.”

“I don’t fancy boys!”

His best friends seemed to grow even more unimpressed.  “Mate, you do realize the way you described some men is not what someone who doesn’t fancy men would right?  Oh, Wood, is so good at Quidditch, you should see how strong he is! Oh you know McCall, the one who’s hair shines in the sunlight? He is an  amazing Seeker! That Malfoy is so smart, he actually pointed a incorrect print of the test, and he look so effortless graceful while doing so! ”

James gapes as Sirius keeps going, repeating things he knows he has said in the past but not in a swooning voice that the other is using. 

Sirius stops and then blinks. “Huh, just realized you have a type mate. Either they are academically advance or they play Quidditch. There is no middle ground.”

 James can’t find any words which is just when Regulus struts over, his hips memorizing with the sway of his steps. He grins at them both, unaware of the longing look the Auror throws his back. He takes a sit next to James who is suddenly extra aware of his crop top, and his stomach and oh no is that a hip bone-

 “What is so scandalizes it’s causing James to resemble a tomato?” Regulus asks leaning towards his brother. One unknown fact about the man was that he was a giant gossip. 

Sirius gives James a long look before smiling. “Just one of the Aurors having some trouble wooing a oblivious idiot is all.”

“Oh and here I was hoping it be something fun.”

“What...what do you count as fun?” James asks clearing his throat and fighting to keep his eyes off Regulus outfit. 

The smile he receives makes heat rush all the way to his toes.  “Why don’t come over tonight and find out?”

He stands giving another twirl that has his top lifting slightly before marching off and James watches him go with his heart in his throat. The younger boy throws him a smolder over his shoulder right before he enters the dance floor and finds a woman to spin. 

Regulus is a beast on the dance floor.

James watches the way he moves with a whimper “I’m in trouble aren’t I?”

Sirius throws his head back in laugh, thumb tracing his wedding band. “Trust me, when we Blacks want someone, they really are in trouble. But trouble makes life fun! Good luck, Progs, he is going to eat you alive.”

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 25: Mudbloods and Murmurs

"Sirius?"

"Here," Sirius said at once shuffling out of the shadows behind the door, taking Remus' outstretched hand. Remus gave a little tug, whispering, "come here," and Sirius obliging straddled his lap on a bed, now the two were forehead to forehead.

It should have felt too intimate, they'd only had a chance to snog twice and both had been interrupted, they really hadn't explored much of anything for what they were doing to each other outside of even that, so this was quite the situation for the two to just be comfortably in each others arms. It was just that though, comfortable. All the emotions boiling inside Sirius now felt just slightly simmered, like steam finding its release in a teapot rather than all stewing up inside and blowing the top.

"Now tell me what's wrong," Remus whispered, their faces so close together their lips were already brushing.

"You've got enough to deal with Moony-" he tried to protest, unable to shake those fear-filled looks he continued to give every window, like the one they'd again had to glance anxiously through to check the phase of the moon on this new night.

"Doesn't matter, I'll still always hear what you've to say," Remus stated, their hands still clasped together growing painful from Remus' tightening. His other came up and hooked onto the back of his neck, fingers playing with the long black hair to make sure he couldn't back out.

Sirius breathed carefully, closing his eyes and finally feeling his heartbeat still as he whispered, "He laughed Remus! My first summer back, and the first thing he asked me was 'what's a mudblood?' I gave him hell for saying that word, telling him to never use it again because there was no such thing, we were all just people. He promised he wouldn't, said he'd never meant to offend me. Now, bloody five years later, and he laughs! It's my fault, I know it is, I should have been around him more, made sure he never, that I never let him-"

"Let him?" Remus cut in with a deep shake of his head. "Sirius no, don't do this to yourself. That boy in there may share your last name, but he is not your responsibility! He made his own choice, he's following his parents and told you to take a hike when you refused to do the same."

Like a damn bursting, Sirius then released a huge breath at finally saying this aloud. "I know that, it's just..." he trailed off without words for the disappointment he felt, like Regulus' fate was already sealed by this lone reaction.

It had only been the chapter title, his expression had been more surprise than true cruelty, but Sirius couldn't shake it! He'd strode away through the nearest door lest he do something he regret, like use an Unforgivable curse on his little brother. It was honestly a miracle he'd found one that opened.

There was a silence before Remus leaned forward, now pressing their lips together in a firm kiss. Sirius returned it at once, craving any kind of release from his own mind, cupping his own hand around Remus' neck to tilt his head back and exalting in the almost instant relief of not having to know anything, just feel how happy it made him to share this and now have the pleasure of taking his own life by however he wanted.

Daring shot through him, and his tongue began tracing lips, seeking entrance, and as always Remus was willing, opening his mouth and the two outright snogging right there in that room. Their tongues explored every bit of reach, teeth even clicking together with the intensity and then Remus' hand moved to Sirius' hip, sitting him down tighter upon his lap.

When Sirius' hair tickled his own nose beyond his own capability to think past it though, he leaned back and brushed it out of his face, still breathing as heavily as when Remus had entered, but now for a wholly other reason. "Guess I believe you now, about that kissing others thing."

Remus just gave a sly smile back, hand still resting comfortably on his waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world, his other trying to pull his face back down from inside his hair. "Glad you've admitted superiority on this."

"No, no," Sirius resisted, letting their faces lean back down but refusing those tantalizing inches now just for that.

An insistent knock on the door cut off whatever would have been said next.

"Hell Sirius, I'll make Regulus apologize if you lot would get out of there already! You think we're enjoying all these Lockharts gaping at us, it's getting creepy!"

"I'm going to kill Wormtail," Sirius pleasantly informed his seat mate as he glared at the door.

"I'll help you bury the body," Remus promised even as he gently got Sirius to get off of him.

With a little huff Sirius did get up and stomp to the door, but couldn't deny he did feel better as he opened it and glared down at Wormtail while pleasantly informing him, "I hope you heard that."

"What, more death threats against me? Sirius, if you carried out every one you've offered against the lot of us, you'd be in Azkaban for a killing spree."

"Me?" Sirius mock widened his eyes and placed his hand on his heart.

"You'll still be his first victim," Remus promised as he pushed the two out of his way so he could step back through.

It really was creepy, the Lockharts eyeing everyone of them from every available wall space of the room. The adjoining bedchamber they'd surely just been in likely still had more, if either of them had cared enough to look, though they'd been a bit occupied to even find a light.

Sirius was already tempted to go back in there and do so now just for something to do, anything would be better than looking anywhere about the room than at his kid brother who had already so deeply betrayed him he wasn't sure if he could ever look at him again. When Remus had read that, Lily had gasped with insulted surprise, and the rest of them had muttered words of distaste and backed away from Moony as if just being associated with such a word was damning. Not his kid brother though, of course not, he'd gone snickering away like a little idiot!

When had this become his reaction, who had instilled it in him? His parents, fellows at school? He'd already witnessed Regulus hanging out with several he shouldn't be, and rather than do anything to stop him, he'd only further chosen to ignore his brother, and was now kicking himself for such neglect. What if he'd tried harder, made some real attempts to push him in the right direction...

Sirius was so focused on when exactly his inattention had turned into missing such a large detail as this reaction would occur that he completely missed the first few bits about Harry avoiding attention from Lockhart and Colin, something he couldn't blame the kid for it if he had been listening.

Potter and Pettigrew were still exchanging looks, it was clear neither of them liked the fact that their friends kept wondering off to talk about their problem without consulting them, but Frank turned away from their tiff without concern to start investigating this room. He didn't at all buy into the fact a man claiming to be so successful couldn't handle pixies, or indeed would make such a stupid decision as releasing them into a classroom like that. Something was fishy about this one, and he wanted to know if there was any evidence in here of his lying, or something more.

Alice let Frank wander off muttering about falsities as she made her way over to Evans, who was muttering mutinously about this whole entire chapter being centered around Quidditch. Harry's captain had woken him at the crack of dawn, and now they were spending pages hearing of Harry falling asleep to some stupid methods to do with the game.

She may have actually enjoyed the game, except for the fact that when she'd gone to the ones in her first year Potter had taken the opportunity to try and regal her the entire time. This child's experience wasn't proving much better.

"That Colin kid is something," Alice happily offered as she joined her. "Bet he'll be the top photographer for the next Daily Prophet before he even graduates."

"I'm happy Harry's not encouraging him and mostly ignoring him," Lily's scowl lessened slightly while talking to her.

Both girls were admittedly distracted as Lupin announced the arrival of the Slytherin team at the Gryffindors practice, everyone was well aware they were only there to pick a fight.

Frank briefly looked up from Lockharts desk, finding it quite despicable Malfoy had managed to buy his way onto a house team like that, but quickly went back to his rummaging. He'd normally be appalled to the idea of going through a teacher's desk, but honestly he would have made an exception for this one even before his suspicions. This egocentric man needed someone putting a few pins in his life if this mess was any indication. The surface was covered in his plaques and trophies of awards, his Witch Weekly's Most Charming one at the very front and most highly polished. In the first two drawers he'd found nothing but quills and bottles of ink at a ready notice, the most ostentatious was a peacocks feather. In the next set he'd found hair care products and a wig he must test them on, a bottle of Ogdens old Fire-whisky, which he quickly put back away lest the Marauders get another hare up their butts for it, and finally nothing in the bottom one.

He'd just pulled out his wand to try a few spells and see if anything were hidden in this when the shouts of outrage echoed around, the Lockhart picture on the desk nearly fell off the broom he was riding and covered his ears. He looked to Alice first, who had her arm wrapped protectively around Evans' shoulders, then he really saw it wasn't so much protective as restraining. Her face was flushed red and she looked likely to murder someone, like Regulus, who looked more haughty than ever with all eyes on him.

Regulus held himself loose and proud just like he watched Sirius do all the time when bowing up for a fight, entirely unintentionally. He really couldn't understand what their problem was, as he insisted again, "it's just a laugh, stop taking everything so sensitive Sirius."

He could tell others around him were just as upset he'd laughed again when Malfoy had called that Granger girl a mudblood. His own parents had insisted it was the proper word to use on Muggleborns, and this was always the reaction amongst quite a few of the older Slytherins whenever they heard the word, so he'd thought it was just to be expected and Sirius was exaggerating everything like he always did. He wasn't as sure now, seeing all seven of them look at him like scum instead. He wasn't backing down though, and instead crossed his arms and stood there purposefully. He wasn't taking it back, he had no reason to, and the only one it should really offend was Evans, and she was such a prick to them all anyways he hardly considered it a loss.

James still had his wand out, tapping it restlessly against his hip and aching to throw a multitude of curses. The only thing stopping him was just how much he did look like Sirius right now, but it was a quickly dwindling insecurity, Sirius would never stoop so low to laugh at something like this. He'd just raised his wand when Moony chose that moment to keep going, his voice much harsher than usual, and it wasn't hoarseness from one of their nightly wanderings this time.

Now James and Sirius were the ones exchanging such heavy loaded looks, while Peter began edging around all three of his friends as if looking where to place himself in case of a fight. Remus was most certainly not happy about it, but was still of the opinion if Sirius was beating himself up already for Regulus just laughing at the word, Sirius would be in an even worse way if he actually snapped and attacked him, so he tried to persevere and keep a fight from happening.

Ron had attacked Malfoy in retaliation for his friend being called that, as he well should, Alice viciously thought as Lupin kept going around the tense silence. She was still thinking about doing the same for Evans, and was even more surprised Potter and Blacks own brother hadn't first. She had no idea what was holding them back, but it wasn't going to stop her if Regulus didn't fix that attitude in laughing about such a degrading word. She genuinely applauded Ron's use of slugs, wishing she knew that spell now.

Lily forced herself to turn away from that imp, patting Alice's hand in thanks but refusing to give any more acknowledgment to someone who could be so careless about such language as that Black. Least Potter had one thing going for him in that way, he'd clearly been moments away from making him apologize if his best mate wasn't hesitating on doing the same.

They were all grateful Ron was being dragged away from Malfoy before anything else could happen, even Regulus. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to be doing now that he had everyone in the room despising him for something he'd just thought was natural, especially as many pure-bloods were in this room. He wasn't that surprised at Potter and Black not getting the joke, but he at least would have hoped Longbottom and Smith would, and was now trying to examine in his head the differences between those two and others even outside of Slytherin who had laughed along before. He still managed to scoff in disgust at that oafs deceleration that marrying muggles had saved their species, of course they wouldn't have died out, pure-bloods always prevailed.

Lockhart popping up again to give advice to yet another round of advice to someone who obviously didn't need it had Frank again going back to his rummaging, bypassing the empty drawer for now and going carefully through all the surrounding paintings, only mildly paying attention to Ron explaining what had happened while at Hagrids. He found nothing of any more significance than Lockhart signing several of these as well, and errantly wondered if the man did them himself. He had to be good at something after all, and it clearly wasn't what he was boasting of in the fight against the Dark Arts.

Sirius finally drew his eyes away from Regulus glaring determinedly at them all, with no more of an idea what to do than when he'd first snickered at the beginning of the chapter. For the first time since his kid brother had been sorted into Slytherin though, he wanted one. He wasn't even sure to what degree, it seemed like a long lost battle to save the idiot from what their parents wanted of him, but Sirius still couldn't shake the feeling of failure Regulus had fallen so far already at the age of fourteen. Least McGonagall gave a nice, or terrible depending on viewpoint, distraction with that detention.

"I think our Head of House is trying to do your son in this year Prongs," he happily told him to try and put some attention back on himself. He'd need to find a bigger space to try and talk his friends into some ideas, he didn't want Regulus overhearing.

"I think it's the opposite, she might actually be trying to give him a treat, as obvious as Lockhart's taken a liking to him," James rolled his eyes back, though they were still sour and glaring to the door.

"What say you Pete?" He redirected. "Care to place a bet? Think someone's going to do Harry in again this year. I've now counted two teachers making a good go of it."

"You're awful," Wormtail pleasantly informed him.

"Oh, you're right," Sirius theatrically clapped a hand to his head. "It is three, I always forget about Snivellus!"

All four of them burst out laughing, to Lily's disgust, but their amusement was short lived. Lupin kept going through Lockhart's bloody useless detention, and she'd thought nothing could be worse than lines, when Harry heard something that had them all freezing in place.

It became so stiff and silent in the room you could hear a ghost breathing, but no whisper of the words echoed again through here. Frank sprinted back to the desk and double checked the time when Lockhart himself said what it was, and spoke so softly the others thought it a guttering of the candle for a moment, "well, it's the same time now. Must mean that whatever it is, isn't here now."

Lupin still had to fight hard several times to swallow around a dry throat and finish, Harry's doubt of hearing this not managing to trickle into a single one of them. They would not think so lightly of someone after this kid again, not after last year, and Sirius now felt callous for his own joke. Something was going on this year, Dobby had warned them, and this was the start to it.

Frank gave Regulus one last look of distaste as if he wanted to blame all this on him, he still seemed entirely careless about the whole thing, and went back to that last drawer.

One quick spell revealed Lockhart did have something at least mildly worth hiding in here, and another had a stack of papers appearing. Frank slowly peeled through them, but it only furthered his confusion to find interviews. The one on top featured someone from Armenia, and it was clearly only the last page of whatever they'd been talking about in regards to a werewolf, then the same man thanking Lockhart for sending an advanced copy of his book. Why would these be so poorly hidden, they didn't seem to mean a thing. As intensely focused as he was on these, he hardly registered the magnetic pull of being dragged away.

[manage-mischief]

Conjunctions

Summary: I wrote this drabble for @blisfvll on tumblr's writing challenge. Thanks for giving me a prompt for inspiration! I've been having a bit of writer's block lately so it was good to get creative. (also the next chapters of Regulus Black and the Darkest Shadows will be up next week, sorry for not posting this week my beta and I have both been insanely busy!) 

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Read on AO3 or FF.net

“Lils.”

“Hold on,” Lily said, holding up a finger. She was deeply engrossed in her Transfiguration textbook, doing some last-minute review before her morning exam.

“Lils.”

“Mhm.”

“Lily!”

The sudden shout shocked her. She dropped her book, exasperated. “What?!” she spat—a bit harsher than intended—at her boyfriend who was sitting across the breakfast table. James’s eye widened.

“You’ve got your elbow in your porridge…” 

Lily realized her left elbow did feel a bit wet. She looked down and, sure enough, she had been using her oatmeal as an arm rest. She cursed under her breath before swiftly cleaning herself up with a flick of her wand. Sirius, James’s best mate, snickered.

“Merlin, Evans,” Sirius teased, “Stressed out much?”

Lily rolled her eyes, but stuffed her book in her bag anyways. Sirius did have a point. She’d studied enough. Still, she could feel her leg bouncing wildly with nervous anticipation. This wasn’t just an exam: it was a NEWT. It was one of a series of tests that would determine the rest of her life. Her job, her happiness, her ability to support herself and a family…Lily shook herself out of her spiral of worrying. It wouldn’t do her any good.

“You should eat something, Lil,” said James, kindly. “Erm…maybe not that porridge though…”

Lily smiled in spite of herself and plucked James’s bagel out of his hands. “Thanks,” she muttered with a mouth full of warm bread. James feigned indignation.

“Oi, Prongs, that’s the price of dating Lily. She steals your food,” said Sirius, as he proceeded to swipe a sausage from James’s plate.

“A bargain price to pay for Lily’s affection,” said James. “But not for you, you wanker!” James locked Sirius in a playful wrestling match, attempting to retrieve his stolen food from Sirius’s fork. The two boys caused quite the ruckus, drawing the attention of many of the surrounding students, who had suddenly noticed their cutlery dancing across the table as the two boys fought.

“Stop hurting me, or I’ll write your mum!” Sirius wailed, stretching his arm just out of James’s reach. “You know she loves me best!”

“Hey!” said James, “I know it’s true, but hey!”

Remus, who had been quietly observing the scene, struck out with lightning fast reflexes and grabbed the fork from Sirius’s hand, promptly popping the coveted sausage into his mouth with a satisfied grin. James and Sirius looked properly affronted.

Lily chuckled. “Boys,” she muttered. She smiled gratefully at James. He and his friends never failed to cheer her up.

“I had to fight back!” James earnestly explained. “It was a matter of honor!”

“You don’t have to explain yourselves to me,” said Lily. “I know Remus just can’t resist grabbing Sirius’s sausage.”

Remus choked on his pumpkin juice, red as a tomato. James and Sirius laughed heartily.

“Evans! I knew there was a reason we kept you around.” Sirius nodded at her, approvingly.

“Merlin, Lil! See, this is why I love you!” James froze as soon as the words left his mouth. His eyes widened in shock, as did Lily’s. Her face flushed as red as Remus’s had. She was speechless.

Remus cleared his throat. “C’mon, Sirius, we’ve got to get to that…thing.”

Sirius stayed put. “No, I wanna know…Ow!” The table rattled as Remus obviously kicked the other boy in the shin, flashing a warning look.

“Oh,” Sirius stammered, “oh yeah. Right. The thing. Let’s go, Moons.’”

The two boys departed, leaving James and Lily alone at the breakfast table. Neither would meet the other’s eye. Lily tried to force herself to say something, anything, however, her vocal chords stayed obstinately stiff. She was too shocked. After a few seconds silence, James stood. He looked mortified. “You know what,” he said, hastily, “I’d better go help them with the…thing…Good luck on the exam, you’ll ace it I’m sure…I’ll see ya later, yeah?”

“James—” Lily tried to call after him as he rushed from the hall. She felt awful. She hadn’t said it back. She should have. She’d wanted to. But, she had been so surprised and, in the moment, had panicked. And now, James thought she didn’t love him. Before she could ponder her mistake any further, the bell rang. Dammit. It was exam time. This debacle would have to wait.

---

The exam had been a breeze. Lily was relieved. Now, she had a week before her next NEWT. And, this meant she had time to brainstorm how to make it up to James.

She was laying on her bed, making random objects float around her head. She had no idea what to do. James was always the hopeless, dramatic, romantic type. And, frankly, he was usually the one apologizing to her. If their roles had been reversed, he’d have concocted some elaborate scheme to win back Lily’s affections—likely involving plots, dramatics, and the help of his gang of friends…His friends…that was it! Lily shot up from her laying position, invigorated. She was concocting a plan. Yes, yes, Lily now had a grand plan to declare her love for James Potter. She dashed down the stairs, clear on what she had to do next.  In order to perform her grand, elaborate gesture, Lily would need the help of James’s best friends.

Luckily enough for Lily, the boys were all lounging in the Common Room—sans James. Lily knew he would be at Quidditch practice for the next hour and a half. Hopefully, this would give her enough time to organize her gesture.

“Remus!” Lily called out from across the room. “Sirius! Peter! I need your help!”

“Well, if it isn’t ‘heartless Lily Evans’ herself?” Sirius teased. He leaned back in his chair dangerously, resting his feet on the small wooden table. Peter chuckled until Lily flashed him a death glare. The runty little boy fell silent.

“I’m serious—I swear if you make a joke I’ll hex your balls off, Black!” Lily warned, just as Sirius had opened his mouth to make a pun about his name. He paled and shut it immediately.

“What do you need, Lily?” Remus asked kindly.

“I…well…you clearly know what happened this morning with James…” Lily looked down, embarrassed. The boys nodded. “I messed up. Royally. I need your help to make it right.”

“Our help?” Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow. “Why do you need our help?”

The three boys leaned forward, curious to hear what she had to say.

Lily grinned cunningly. “Well, I had this idea…”

---

Lily and the boys scrambled around for the next hour, making sure every little detail of their plan was set. Finally, the Gryffindor Common Room was ready for James’s arrival. Lily felt a little guilty abusing her Head Girl authority to throw the rest of the students out, but this was for the greater good.

“Hush, and get into positions!” Lily hissed impatiently at her three companions. They quickly scrambled away, ducking behind the chairs and suits of armor in the Common Room, out of sight.

“Wands at the ready!” She ordered, checking her watch for the thousandth time. James would be arriving soon. He must be close. Her heart began to pound anxiously.

A moment later, Lily heard the Fat Lady’s muffled voice as she conversed with someone else outside the door. It had to be James. But, what if it wasn’t? Lily stupidly hadn’t planned on encountering any of his other Quidditch mates. What if one of them had arrived before James did?

Luckily for Lily, the top of a messy head of hair emerged from the portrait entryway. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was James. This was it.

“Lily?” James asked, raising an eyebrow. She stood alone in the middle of the atrium. Her legs felt like jelly. Perhaps she should have dressed up more. “What are you—”

“James Fleamont Potter,” Lily proclaimed, raising her wand above her head. The signal.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the infinitesimal movements of Remus, Sirius, and Peter, as they began casting their spells. The light in the Common Room turned pale pink. Fireworks began erupting over her head, spreading out around the room as they danced in the air. A flock of songbirds burst from the tip of Remus’s hidden wand flew promptly into a heart formation, chirping merrily. Two cherubs holding harps fluttered near them. Heart shaped bubbled filled the air. The scene was, in Lily’s opinion, utterly sickening with cliché. She hoped James would love it.

“I love you, too.” Lily said, just as the fireworks regrouped in above head, spelling out the same message in flashing lights. Gooey harp sounds echoed through the air. The birds clumped together in a tight formation and flew to James, turning into a bouquet of roses before his eyes.

Lily held her breathe as she watched her boyfriend take in the scene before him. James looked up from the bouquet, grinning madly.

“Well?” Lily asked. “Say something?”

“WOOHOO!” James shouted, rushing to Lily and taking her in his arms. He lifted her off of the ground as he spun her around. Lily laughed as he set her back down.

“I’m sorry I didn’t say it earlier,” she apologized.

“Lily,” said James seriously, “Don’t ever apologize. This way was much better. I feel like the belle of the ball.” He winked.

“Only the best for you, your majesty,” Lily teased back. She was staring into James’s eyes as he held her hands when a chorus of cheers erupted from behind them.

“What the hell?” James jumped back, startled to find his three best friends who had materialized beside them.

“Nice one, Evans,” Sirius clapped her on the back. “I knew Prongs’d fall for this sappy romantic crap, the big softie.”

“Who’re you calling a softie?” James pouted.

“You, idiot. Look, you haven’t even snogged your girlfriend yet. You’ve just gazed lovingly into her eyes. It’s gross!”

Remus and Lily shared a look. “Come on, Sirius, Peter, let’s give these two some privacy.”

As the three boys walked off towards their dormitories, James grabbed Lily by the waist and pulled her close. “Just for that, I’m gonna snog her extra hard now!” He shouted into the distance. Sirius’s laughing reply echoed down the stairs.

Lily shook her head affectionately. “You’re an idiot.”

James smiled back, running a hand through her hair. “But you love me.”

[gemstone-roses]

To love another person is to see the face of god

AN: so this is one of the first things I wrote for the Harry Potter fandom and yes I know I've put it on here before but It doesn't show on my blog so you can have it again😏 warning for mention of dead bodies and injuries and minor burns and the battle of hogwarts. Oh and angst.

Madame pomfrey was moving swiftly between students and professors who needed minor medical attention with cuts and scrapes and minor burns, professor mcgonagall was sat in the corner of the great hall, her face impassive.

Harry Hermione Ron and Neville were sat on a bench, not talking, just being there, with each other, the battle was won, at the cost of many dear to everybodys heart and the weight of grief was heavy in the hall. The bodies of the fallen had been moved to the hospital wing, some were still missing.

Luna was stood on her own, blood smeared in her blonde hair, staring at seemingly nothing.

"Do you hear the people sing.

Rons eyes shot up to the middle of the hall where Luna was staring "Do you hear that? Harry? Mione? Neville?

"Hear what Ron? Your hearing things" Hermione said half exasperated

Lost in the valley of the night..

Professor mcgonagall stood up then, a shimmer in the air and then she saw them.

It is the music of the people who are climbing to the light...

More heads began to turn as they could very clearly hear this angelic sound coming from the middle of the hall.

"For the wretched of the earth there is a flame that never dies, even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise..

Harry looked up and rubbed his temples, he was sure he just heard tonks voice, but she was dead.

"They will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord, we will walk behind the plough share, we will put away the sword...

Harry could see now, Tonks with her hair still the same colour as when she had laid down her life, mad eye with his eye,not moving. Harry's eyes went wide as his mother and his father appeared at the front of what now looked like a.. well a ghost quoir.

The chain will be broken and all men shall have their reward"

Molly burst into tears as her son belted out those words, her son that she never got to say goodbye too, George's other half, his best friend and brother, and there he was, standing proud as ever, amongst the fallen order members of the first wizarding war and the second, and the students who had stayed to fight for their school, and their beliefs, and payed with their lives. At the front, tiny compared to everyone else, was a house elf, with big round eyes and odd socks on, he was crying, smiling up at Harry and his wheezy. Next to Lily and James stood Marlene and dorcas, all singing with all their heart, they died too young. They all did.

Will you join in our crusade who will be strong and stand with me, beyond the barricade is there a world you want to see

Remus was stood next to his wife, arm wrapped around her waist, looking at all the wide eyed students as they stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them. Harry looked over to mcgonagall who just gave a shrug whilst silent tears rolled down her face as if to say 'magical castle, who the hell knows why'

.

Molly and George were hugging each other like it was the last time they would ever get to do that, and a few hours prior, molly had done the same thing with fred knowing it may well be the last time she did, but trying not to think about that, george gave a half hearted nudge at his mother as he spotted his uncles , the uncles who he never got to meet, they all deserved better.

Regulus was stood at the back of the fallen, not wanting to really be noticed, i mean he was dead, but whatever.

"Do you hear the people sing say do you hear the distant drums, it is the future that we bring when tomorrow comes"

and with that, everyone in the hall turned to the entrance, and in walked Sirius black, waving a Gryffindor flag maniacally as he sang, he slung his arm around his little brother and grinned.

[witchwithaquill]

↬Godparents

Description: Life in Number 12, Grimmuald Place, was far from being normal with Teddy Lupin thrown into the mix, for the War heroes.

Pairing(s) (only mentioned): [Hermione G. | Ron W.] [Harry P. | Ginny W.]

Warnings: A bit of swearing. Fluff and pure fluff.

_________________________________

Hermione Granger couldn't help but think why in the world did she agree to move into Grimmauld Place with Harry and Ron after looking at cotton stuffing which was supposed to be inside the pillows, flying around in the living room.

'Miss Granger,' she turned around and found Kreacher, who had now wrapped a new cotton towel, pink in color, around himself and looked at her with his big eyes as wide as tennis balls.

'What happened here, Kreacher?' Hermione asked with a kind tone.

'Master Harry and Mr Weasley had asked Kreacher to start arranging the stuff in the bedroom,' Kreacher started. 'After Kreacher took out Miss Granger's books, Master Harry and Mr Weasley came out of the bedroom with pillows and started hitting each other.

'Kreacher tried to stop them, Miss Granger, but before then, Master Harry and Mr Weasley heard Miss Granger coming and they ran to their room.'

Hermione's blood boiled and she wasn't sure how pink had her face turned. 'Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, down, now!'

Hermione heard the noise of footsteps clattering down and there stood the two, heads hung down, arms folded across their chest.

'I asked you to do one thing,' Hermione said. 'ONE THING, and that did not consist of having a pillow fight and making a mess in the living room. In fact, I asked you to clear away the boxes in the living room.'

'But, Mione, Harr-' Ron was cut of by Hermione's dangerous tone. 'Not a word, Ron.'

Hermione noticed Harry, who was about to say something, shut his mouth as well.

'Now, you both are going to clean this mess,' Hermione said. And as she noticed them taking out their wands, she said firmly. 'No wands.'

'What?' they both screamed at once.

'Aw come on, Mione,' Harry whined. 'We are not at school.'

'And you aren't McGonagall,' added Ron. 'Giving us detention .'

'Accio wands,' Harry and Ron's wand zoomed towards Hermione. 'Clean, now.'

'Kreacher will take the grocery, Miss Granger,' Kreacher said, pointing towards the grocery she bought and forgot about.

'I will help you, Kreacher,' Hermione said, but before she could help, she heard the fire roar and then footsteps step out.

As on instinct, Hermione grabbed her wand and threw Harry and Ron's to them.

'Who is there?' Hermione asked.

'Oh,' she heard a familiar voice. 'Its, me, Hermione.'

'Andromeda,' said Harry. Hermione relaxed a bit, but her grip hadn't loosened on the wand.

Hermione heard wails following Harry's call of Andromeda's name.

'Teddy,' said Ron fondly, looking at the infant wrapped in Andromeda's arms.

'Sorry to disturb you lot,' said Andromeda, genuinely looking apologetic. 'I had a small work at the Gringotts. I was hoping you would take care of Teddy for a few hours, Harry.'

'Of course,' said Harry, taking Teddy from Andromeda. 'I'd love to.'

Andromeda smiled. 'Thank you. This is his milk container, you need to feed him every two hours' she said thrusting it to Ron. 'Here are his diapers. You need to change it as per necessity.

'Oh, I ought to leave.'

Hermione smiled and handed Andromeda the floo powder on the table beside.

With a roar of 'Diagon Alley,' Andromeda disappeared into the burning green flames.

As they turned back, Hermione noticed the living room was now clean, devoid of any cotton lying around.

'Reckon Gringotts is open for us?' Harry asked, chuckling.

'After we broke into and out of it with a blind flying dragon? Nah.' Ron replied, dumping the things in his hand on the couch.

'We could always use Polyjuice,' Hermione joined in with a chuckle.

'Or an invisibility cloak,' Harry added, laughing, after sitting on the couch with Teddy still in his arms.

'Or we could Imperio a goblin,' Ron said. The three of them broke into a series of loud laughter, which unfortunately broke Teddy's sleep and he started crying.

Hermione noticed Harry visibly panic. Harry was never the one to handle crying.

So Hermione was about to stand up and take Teddy from Harry, but Ron beat her to it. He started slowly swinging him from left to right. Teddy, after a while stopped crying and Ron sat back on the couch with a sigh.

Hermione and Harry looked at Ron with surprise. Ron finally noticed that as he looked up from Teddy. He asked, 'What?'

Hermione smiled and said 'Nothing,' at the same time Harry said, 'How did you do that?'

'Oh,' Ron said, ruffling his hair near the back of his neck. 'Mum always did that to Ginny when she was small.'

Hermione wouldn't admit, but she fell in love with Ron a little bit more that second.

'The lunch is ready, Master Harry,' said Kreacher coming out from the kitchen.

Hermione now remembered that she was about to help Kreacher with the groceries, and looked at him with an apologetic smile, which Kreacher hadn't noticed because he looked Teddy with amusement dancing in his eyes.

'Kreacher, can you please warm up some milk and pour it into this bottle,' said Harry, handing the bottle to Kreacher.

'Yes, master,' Kreacher said, running into the kitchen with his towel bouncing behind him.

'Hey, look, he changed his eye color,' Ron gained Hermione's attention by saying that.

Harry, who already moved to take Teddy from him, said, with a sad smile playing on his lips, 'They look like Remus' eyes.'

Ron nodded.

Hermione moved towards them, and took Teddy from Ron and said, 'Go, eat lunch.'

'Let's eat together,' Ron said, getting up.

'Oh no, you two go and eat, i'll look after teddy till then,' said Hermione, gesturing to Teddy in her arms.

'Nonsense,' said Ron, moving towards her and grabbing her hand to make her stand up, careful enough to not disturb Teddy. 'We can look after him while eating too. Besides, he needs to be fed.'

Hermione, thinking about it for a minute, nodded and headed towards the dining room with them.

Hermione gaped at the table as soon as she stepped in. There was almost every type of food the three of them liked. Kreacher alone can put all the Hogwarts house elves to shame.

There was everything from Steak with Mashed Potatoes to Treacle Tart and Kidney Pie to Apple Pie. Not to mention the very drinkable looking cold Pumpkin Juice, and also warm Butterbeer beside it.

Hermione looked around to see her boys grinning widely at the table, though surprise was evident in their eyes.

A little hesitant, Hermione sat down at the table, trying not to drop Teddy, which was the exact moment Kreacher chose to appear.

'What was the need of all this, Kreacher?' Hermione asked, a bit more sternly than she intended to.

Kreacher looked at her and said, 'Master had asked Kreacher to prepare these for when he returned back home with Mr Weasley and Miss Granger.

'Master returned home today, so Kreacher did what master asked.'

Hermione looked at the elf with fondness threatening to burst from her. She turned to Harry, who, as expected looked a bit uncomfortable, unsure of how to respond to the house elf.

Harry and emotions are like water and oil, she decided.

'Thank you, Kreacher,' Harry said, smiling painfully as Ron had nudged him hard in the side.

Kreacher visibly beamed. 'Kreacher wants master to be happy. Master Harry helped Kreacher fulfill Master Regulus' order.'

Not to make it anymore awkward for Harry, Hermione politely asked for the milk bottle in Kreacher's hand and started feeding Teddy, who stretched out his arms as if to jump at the bottle.

Hermione chuckled.

She looked up and saw Ron and Harry already digging through the food (Ron more grossly so).

Her stomach rumbled and the smell of the food in front of her didn't help it much.

Kreacher popped to her side and took Teddy from her saying, 'Kreacher will feed the baby. Miss Granger should eat.'

Giving a grateful smile to Kreacher, Hermione scooped the Kidney Pie into her own plate and the moans Harry and Ron made felt justified as soon as she took a bite.

All the tiredness from the work that she had done today melted along with the pie in her mouth and she couldn't remember when she had slept on the couch talking to Harry and Ron, Teddy cuddled between them. ____________________________________

Hermione looked at the scene in front of her and smiled. The nightmare from last night was pushed at the back of her mind. She was now glad that she hadn't forgotten to put silencing charms around her room.

She went to wake up Harry and Teddy (who visited them every weekend now, as Harry wanted to get to know his godson more, which, inevitably meant that Hermione and Ron did too), but found them cuddled together, looking almost like father and son, as Teddy had changed his hair color surely intrigued by Harry's.

Hermione wished her muggle camera was with her at the moment, as she desperately wanted to snap a picture of that. Sirius might've had one, but she was scared that she will wake up the two searching for it, seeing that they were sleeping it Sirius' old room.

She heard footsteps come up beside her, but she stopped Ron from fully entering into the room.

'Look at them,' she whispered to him, awe still evident in her voice. 'I wish I could take a picture of them right now.'

'Honestly woman, are you a witch or not?' Ron said clicking his tongue. 'Accio Camera.'

Hermione slapped her head as she heard the clinking of things as a camera sped out of a cupboard creating huge noise.

She snatched the camera from Ron's hands as soon as it landed there and quickly snapped a picture, but they had already woken up, with a sleepy look adorning their faces.

Ron looked sheepish as the photo printed itself out of the dusty camera.

The picture, though, Hermione decided was still cute. Better, actually.

In the picture Harry and Teddy both were half sitting on the bed with their eyes still half closed, and were looking straight at them. Harry had his hair stick up all the sides and Teddy had a trace of saliva dripping down his chin.

'What are you doing?' Harry asked, grumpily.

'We were about to wake you up,' said Hermione. 'Andromeda is coming up in an hour.'

Harry jolted our of bed as soon as he heard that, and handed her Teddy, saying something along the lines of, 'I need to take a shower, get him ready.'

Hermione and Ron looked at each other and shook their heads. Hermione, adjusting Teddy in her arms, who was still half asleep, put the picture on the table beside and the camera on it, before moving towards her room (which previously belong to Regulus) and pulled out Teddy's clothes from the bag Andromeda had given them, after which she stepped into the bathroom, to get water ready for Teddy's bath.

Hermione didn't remember how or when, but Teddy, Ron (who entered the bathroom as soon as she put Teddy in the tub), and her ended up soaking wet with all the splashing they had done. It was all started by Teddy, who, being sleepy, slapped his hands on the water which ended on Hermione and Ron, and the latter, saying 'You little devil,' poured water over Teddy, by which he was fully awake. They both then looked at each other and, all of a sudden, splashed Hermione, to which she yelped.

Teddy sat clapping his hands in excitement and Ron looked throughly giddy and contented.

'What in the world?' they heard a voice and turned around to look at a throughly amused Harry with grin threatening to break on his face.

Ron just laughed, breaking the grin and Hermione joined, along with Teddy, who was laughing because they were laughing.

They were so busy, they hadn't heard anyone enter the house until the sound of a picture clicking grabbed their attention.

There stood Ginny, with laughter on her face as a picture was printing itself from the camera Ron had summoned earlier.

Harry only chuckled before taking the camera and pushing her into the bathroom, into the soaking arms of Ron.

Ginny gritted her teeth before whipping her wand and running after Harry, who had already sensed the danger.

Hermione wondered if this time Ginny would be the one to break-up.

Ron would certainly be happy.

Hermione looked at the picture that had fallen of Harry's hand and couldn't help but love it. She and Ron were in the bathroom, in the either side of the bathtub, inside which Teddy was jumping up and down (the picture was captured when Teddy was high up) and Harry just outside the door, laughing his head off.

They looked like a family. ____________________________________

Hermione hugged a very excited looking Teddy as soon as she returned from Australia with Harry and Ron after they found her parents. It took them weeks to spot them, as Hermione had changed their identity.

Luckily the memory charms were reversible albeit a bit difficult.

Her parents were furious to learn what their daughter had done and politely asked her for some time to think things.

Hermione was pretty sad, even though Ron and Harry tried everything to cheer her up.

Looking at Teddy though, a bit of her mind had cleared.

She was getting far too attached with the little boy.

Andromeda smiled beside her and said to the boys, 'He was missing you. Never ate anything properly nor slept well.

'I think you should take him with you tonight.'

All the formalities were long forgotten when Andromeda saw just how willing they were to watch over Teddy.

Hermione just nodded while Ron said, 'Yea, that'd be great.'

Hermione didn't let go of Teddy for a second even after they entered Grimmauld Place as she thought she made the pain in her bearable.

Her parents had every right to be mad at her, but she just wished they would understand her. She did it to protect them, for Merlin's sake!

Harry seemed to have sensed it as he grabbed Ron and challenged him for a match of Exploding Snap, while Hermione sat on the couch with Teddy in her lap, who was looking curiously at the two and seemed intrigued by the sparks sometimes the cards had send out.

Hermione looked at the little baby in her arms and chuckled, all worries forgotten for a while.

He certainly looked adorable. ____________________________________

Hermione screamed for Harry and Ron with Teddy in her arms.

They were going to the Burrow for a few days till the Christmas day.

Molly Weasley was one person who was seemingly unhappy when her youngest son, along with her adoptive son and daughter, announced that they were going to move to Number 12, Grimmauld Place.

For one, she had suggested, and even made room for her and Harry, to stay at the Burrow. Harry and Hermione politely refused, and Ron tried his best to convince his mom, which was not easy as she didn't wanted another of her son to get away from her. Mr Weasley, she though that he had finally taken pity to them, and convinced Mrs Weasley, but with a condition: Every holiday must be spent together and they had to stay over for a few days during Christmas.

Hermione also had this feeling that Mrs Weasley had refused them to stay alone in Sirius Black's old house, was her and Ron. She knew something was up between them, and thought it wasn't very appreciated if a guy and a girl who have romantic feelings for each other, stayed together before marriage with their best friend, who she was sure wouldn't stop them if they did do something randy.

Harry and Ron finally stepped down face splitting grins splashed across their faces. Hermione felt her stomach drop. What were they up to?

'What did you two do?' she asked, with dangerously low voice.

Hermione saw for a split second, fear had appeared in their eyes before it was replaced again with a twinkle.

'Why would you think we would do anything, 'Mione?' said Harry, taking the sleeping Teddy from her.

'We did absolutely nothing,' said Ron. 'That's a big accusation to throw at us without evidence, 'Mi.'

Hermione was now more than 100% sure they had done something. But before she could say anything else, she heard the fire roar in the living room, and Ginny Weasley screamed, 'Come on fast. Mum is worried that you are probably dead.'

Hermione sent them both a look which said, 'I'm looking at to you two,' and lead the way downstairs. She heard them snicker behind her.

When she reached down, Ginny looked so much like her mum, she had to take a look twice to make sure it was Ginny. Her hands were on her lips, and the cross look Mrs Weasley has whenever she isn't pleased with something was etched upon her face. Hermione bit back a grin, as to not anger her more than she was, and grabbed her hand, floo'ing to the Burrow; Harry, Ron and Teddy right behind them.

Mrs Weasley, as soon as she saw her, pulled her into a bone-crashing hug and mumbled something saying, 'You got me worried. I thought something had happened.'

Ron stepped forward, scooping his mum from Hermione, reassuring her that nothing had happened to them.

Hermione, at that moment, saw how much had Ron grew up due to the war.

After the same affection filled hug was offered to Harry, in which Ron had to scoop Teddy from him, they went to the living room, while she chatted with Ginny about what was new since she had last seen them.

Hermione, while sitting down, counting talking with Ginny, looked forward for a second to see Teddy. He was awake, eyes now as blue as Ron's and looked around the Burrow with curiosity bursting through his eyes.

Her face split into a smile as Ron bent down and cooed into his eyes, ticking him till he fell over the couch. ____________________________________

It was a night before Christmas when Hermione found Harry down near the fireplace alone, looking into the crackling fire.

She had got down to drink some water, but found him instead.

'You okay, Harry?' Hermione asked.

Harry jerked his head, clearly not expecting a guest to invade his thoughts. But as soon as he saw Hermione, he relaxed a bit.

'Yea,' he said nodding.

Hermione sat down on the couch across from him and looked into the fire place too.

After a few minutes, Harry spoke up again, 'Do you remember where were we last year at Christmas?'

Realization dawned upon Hermione. Harry wanted to visit his parents.

She gulped down, nodding, even though he didn't look at her, and said, 'Yea. Godric's Hollow.'

Harry suddenly looked at Hermione, and she gasped at the vulnerability she saw at the moment in those eyes. Never in her 9 year old friendship with Harry had she seen him this vulnerable.

'Can we visit them again?' Harry asked.

Hermione looked at the time, it was Half past midnight. She nodded at him, saying, 'Let me get my jumper, and it's better if you do too.'

Harry nodded, jogging up and Hermione too climbed up to hers and Ginny's shared room, to change into a more appropriate attire.

She met Harry down in 5 minutes and they both moved towards the door to exit. As soon as Hermione was sure that they were far beyond the safety enchantments around the Burrow, she grabbed Harry's hand and apparated them straight to the Graveyard in Godric's Hollow.

They found Harry's parents more faster this time, and Hermione bent down to create a wreath of flowers to put near the grave as she had done last year.

She stood up and grabbed Harry's hand, knowing he would not even though he needed it.

As she rested her head on his shoulder, she felt him shake as the lightest of sobbing sounds left him, which she was sure she wouldn't have been able to hear if she wasn't this close to him.

'Merry Christmas, Harry,' Hermione whispered.

'Merry Christmas,' Harry replied.

And, after a few minutes, Harry grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the yard. Hermione, taking it as an indication, apparated them back to the Burrow with a 'pop'. ____________________________________

Teddy's eyes had turned into Hermione's own shade and his hair was now as black as his Godfather's.

He positively beamed at them as soon as he entered with Andromeda.

'Thank you for inviting me, Molly,' said Andromeda, gratitude gracing her tone.

'Oh, don't be silly,' Mrs Weasley waved off. 'The more the merrier. Besides, these three looked out of place with Teddy gone.'

Mrs Weasley pointed towards her, Harry and Ron, and Andromeda chuckled.

Hermione pulled Teddy out of her arms and spun him around, while he giggled the whole way.

His hair turned the shade of sky blue as he cupped her cheeks with his baby hand's looking into her eyes with her own.

'Now, If you don't mind, i'll be taking my godson,' said Harry jokingly, pulling Teddy from Hermione.

Hermione pouted and said, 'I take care of him more than you do, Potter.'

Harry laughingly waved her off, sitting on the couch with Teddy beside Ginny to which she cooed at him, lightly pinching his cheeks.

Hermione saw Teddy change his hair to the ginger of Ginny's and looked at Harry with wide eyes as soon as Ginny pinched his cheeks.

As Harry chuckled looking at them both, Mrs Weasley called them all for dinner and Hermione then noticed that George was missing at the table.

Her heart dropped as she looked at the two empty chairs and she felt affection bursting for George even though he wasn't here. No one had mentioned about it, surely to not make Mrs Weasley upset, but as soon as a bite of Mrs Weasley's Steak had melted in her mouth, she could only concentrate on that.

After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room to open the presents. Hermione, Ron, Harry and Ginny sat down in the floor while everyone else occupied the couch, Teddy fast asleep in Andromeda's lap.

'Go on, open up the gifts,' Mrs Weasley urged on.

Ron and Ginny, excited, sorted out theirs first and ripped the Weasley jumper open (Ron's a deep maroon, and Ginny's, a dark green), pulling it over themselves.

Harry scooted a bit towards the tree and pulled out his and her Weasley jumper packages and threw hers towards her.

They both too pulled down their own (Her's a deep blue, while Harry's matched his eye color), before Hermione noticed a smaller package of the same material.

She took it out and opened it, and a smaller jumper was inside, sky blue in color, with a large 'E' stitched in front in golden thread.

She was about to get up and pull it over Teddy's head when she remembered he was sleeping. She put it aside on the table, noting that the first thing she would do after Teddy woke up, was make him wear it.

Hermione didn't notice when had Ron and Ginny opened up all their presents, with Harry half way through, but her attention was grabbed by them when Ron and Harry sat on both their knees in front of her, with a small box in their hand.

Hermione looked at them with quizzical eyes, while they gestured her to open it. She, as gestured, ripped the wrapping paper and slowly opened the lid of the box.

There was a necklace with the Deathly Hallows symbol as the locket and her throat dried up as she noticed all three of their names engraved up on it.

Ron, on what is supposed to be the Elder Wand. Harry, gently scarped on the top of the circle, which symbolized the Resurrection Stone. And finally, Hermione, on the bottom of the triangle; the Invisibility Cloak.

Hermione looked at them both with eyes glistening as she pulled both of them into a tight hug. Ron had eagerly returned it, while Harry, more hesitantly so.

'This is beautiful,' she whispered to them.

'Thanks, that was my choice,' Ron said, to enlighten the atmosphere.

'You mean our choice, Ron,' Harry said, smacking Ron's shoulder, to which he just muttered. 'Yea, yea.'

Hermione chuckled at them and was glad to notice that everyone had taken to their presents, instead of gawking at those three.

'Turn it around,' Harry said, scraping the back of his neck.

Hermione did as she was told and now looked at Teddy Lupin, written sideways starting from the bottom of the triangle and ending at the top of the line, going through the circle.

Hermione, restraining herself from pulling them into a hug again, beamed at them, while they both grinned the shit-eating grin they did in the Grimmauld Place the morning they were about to leave for the Burrow.

Hermione, knowing they had done it to distract from her parents, choked back a sob. Oh, what had she done to deserve them? ____________________________________

Teddy jumped around in the living room of Number 12, wearing his infamous Weasley jumper.

Hermione, not lifting her head from "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" Dumbledore had left her, heard Harry and Ron chuckle at him while playing Wizard's Chess.

But everything they were doing was suddenly forgotten, and Hermione's blood ran cold as soon as Teddy uttered, 'Pa-.'

She slowly turned her head sideways and looked at him while he was pointing at Ron.

Harry was sweating profusely and Ron was as stiff as a statue.

'Pa-pa,' Teddy uttered again. And Hermione this time clearly noticed him look at Ron.

Ron was so stiff, if Hermione hadn't watched him play Wizard's Chess a minute ago, she would've thought he was hit with "Petrificus Totalus".

Hermione stood up from her place and kept the book on the table beside before going to Teddy and picking him up.

She pointed at Ron and said, 'Ron.'

Teddy looked at her with confusion in his eyes and said, 'Pa-pa.'

Hermione shook her head vigorously, which Teddy copied, and said again, 'He is Ron!'

But she got back the same results. She gave up after a few attempts, not knowing what to do.

Harry and Ron had turned unusually silent for the rest of the day.

Hermione visibly flinched as Teddy said 'Papa,' again, while still pointing at Ron, as Andromeda was about to take him.

Andromeda, seemingly noticing Hermione's flinch, smiled at said, 'Don't worry, he's just a kid.

'He will know when he's older.'

Hermione nodded, a lump still in her throat, not able to imagine the guilt Ron felt. She knew she would've died in guilt if he had called her 'Mum,' instead of Tonks.

'Hermione, it's okay,' Andromeda said firmly, gripping her shoulder as she noted the unusual silence around. 'He will know later. He's just a baby. And if it does matter that much to you, you guys did take care of him, so it's more than okay, actually. I know I wouldn't stop him if he insists on calling you that even when he is older. Remus did name Harry as his Godfather.'

Hermione smiled at Andromeda and nodded her head. She noticed Ron too had relaxed a little along with Harry. She know she wouldn't let Teddy call them that, nor would Harry and Ron.

Andromeda floo'd back to her home, while Hermione looked at Harry and Ron. They needed food. They didn't eat lunch because of the stunt Teddy had pulled. She made her way towards the kitchen, asking Kreacher to help her make dinner, and instead ended up helping Kreacher while he was the one who made it. ____________________________________

Eleven years later found Harry, Hermione and Ron on Platform 9 and 3 3/4 waving as Teddy boarded his train to Hogwarts.

Andromeda was sick at the moment, so she was unable to come and wish him luck for his first year at Hogwarts.

Ginny was eager to come, but the captain of Holyhead Harpies had called in for a sudden practice for the match scheduled on the coming Saturday, which reminded Hermione of the two former Captains of Gryffindor Quidditch team; Oliver Wood and Angelina Johnson (who was now her Sister-In-Law).

She smilingly waved at Teddy, who waved back with less nervousness covering his features compared to yesterday.

His nerves were so bad, he had infected it to her, Harry and Ron, as he asked them: 'Is it bad that I want to be in Hufflepuff like Mum?'

Hermione wanted to hex Ron into next week as he was the one bragging about Gryffindor and Remus when Teddy had dinner with them the other day.

Ron had the decency to look guilty while Harry went on to explain him that, 'Whatever house you are in doesn't matter. You are still our Teddy.'

Teddy visibly relaxed at hugged them each before going to sleep. And as soon as he had done that, Hermione and Harry both smacked Ron on the head, to which he flinched.

Now all was forgotten as the three of them stood and watched as the Hogwarts Express was leaving, standing on the platform waving at Teddy till the train was out of sight.

Teddy didn't have the task of protecting the Philosoper's Stone, nor open the Chamber of Secrets. A convicted murderer, who broke from Azkaban wasn't behind him, and no was was about to put his name in the Goblet of Fire under their watch. McGonagall was sure as heck to not let the ministry interfere at Hogwarts again, sending another pathetic excuse of a teacher (and a human, for that matter) to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts. Maybe he would find another mysterious book as Harry did, but he wasn't dropping out of school to search for some souls which would make sure that a Dark Wizard was killed. He'd have a perfectly normal school life.

Teddy was more than safe. ____________________________________

So I thought to start off with our famous and all time favorite Golden Trio.

I know it's a bit cliché, but bear with me.

I hope you guys like it.

If you did, please do like it. And comment down your suggestions and requests if you have any.

Always, WitchWithAQuill.

[cheekytorah]

One Blissful Year | Final Part

To call what they had blissful was not exactly correct. They bickered, they fought, they storm out on each other and go hours stewing on their anger. They never went to bed angry though. Sirius hadn't lied to Remus when he promised he wouldn't leave. There was lots of bad, they were in the middle of a war, people were dying and his godson was trapped with abusive guardians. There was so much more good though. They always considered each other in the mornings that Remus was home, Remus was usually up first and made Sirius a coffee, leaving it on the nightstand, kissing his forehead before he went downstairs to read or go on a mission for Dumbledore. Sirius would wake up, fetch the paper as Padfoot and always let Remus read it first. Sure they fought but they also shagged fabulously, made up by snogging and had their meals together if they could.

Life wasn’t perfect and yet it was better than anything Sirius could ever hope for at this point in his life. Their most recent fights were about marriage and a life together, Sirius wanted it and Remus did not. Of course, he said he did but then he argued about tying Sirius down, and being dangerous. It was the same old story, one he had heard thousands of times since the marauders had discovered his furry little secret. Despite this fact, Sirius was still completely set on them getting married and telling the world they were together. As it currently was, no one knew, except of course Dumbledore. That man somehow knew everything.

When Harry visited before school had begun, he had felt he had everything he loved in one place. His godson, his Moony, and he had just wanted to tell the boy how happy he was. That Harry didn’t have to worry about Sirius being cooped up in Grimmauld Place miserable and alone because he was neither miserable nor alone when Remus was home. Of course, that started a fight with Remus who watched him closely to be sure he wasn’t sneaking off to tell Harry his intentions of marrying a werewolf.

Nearing christmas Sirius was ready to go pick Harry up from the train station himself which got him quite the yelling at by both Remus and Dumbledore. He told them both where they could go and stormed off to hide in his room for the day. He quite resented the lot of them for not letting him leave as he liked, but the reality was that he was a wanted criminal and no one wanted him locked back up in Azkaban. He knew this, but it didn’t stop him from stomping around like everyone was against him.

When Arthur Weasley and his family showed up at Grimmauld Place with Harry for christmas Sirius was overjoyed. He got to spend time with his godson which always put him in the best of moods. The war was getting worse, the death eaters were getting dirtier in their tactics and the resistance was smaller in number to that of Voldemort’s Followers, The Minister was convinced in keeping the public away from any idea of You-Know-Who being back, convinced it couldn’t be true himself out of fear and cowardice. Sirius hated the man. The only people he hated worse were Barty Crouch, Peter Pettigrew And Voldemort himself. Despite all of this, he had Harry, and most of the time he had Remus. That was good enough for him.

It was early spring, little Nymphadora Tonks, a cousin of Sirius’ was chasing Remus around like a lost puppy dog. Again they fought about getting married, he knew Tonks wouldn’t be chasing after his Moony if she knew, but he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone of course. The infuriating man, he had suspicions about Remus developing some kind of feelings for the young girl, but Remus had snogged that idea right out of his head.

Time seemed to pass faster when Remus was away, the days turned into weeks and Remus would show up battered and bloody. Sirius would clean his wounds and hold him tightly begging him not to go back on another mission, but Remus felt he had to do his part. Sirius wanted to be out there fighting by his side, though he knew he couldn’t.

It was late one night when Dumbledore called upon the Order to head to the Department of Mysteries. Remus was readying to leave with Tonks and the others when Sirius burst into the room.

“Was anyone going to tell me my godson was in danger, or just invite me to the funeral after?”

“Sirius, I’m sure he is fine, we are going to go get him and his friends and get out of there before anything even happens.” Remus tried to reason with him, but He ought to have known better.

Nothing could get between Sirius Black and his godson. No, he loved that boy as if he were his own child, and the mere idea of him being in danger had him dressed in seconds and ready to storm the Ministry with the rest of The Order.

“Padfoot, you have to stay behind! This is dangerous, for you especially, you can’t go parading into the Ministry! They will arrest you on sight,” Remus begged Sirius to stay behind.

“It’s not happening.”

“Potter saw you being killed by Voldemort you stupid mut, you go there and you will die!” Allaster growled.

“I have the upper hand then, I know what’s coming so I am prepared. We are going,” Sirius snarled looking at Remus fiercely, “Together.”

Remus sighed, he attempted more arguing but Sirius simply pointed out that they were wasting precious time arguing and not acting. Unable to sway him, Remus gripped Sirius’ arm and allowed Sirius to side-along while he aparate them to the Death Chamber in the Department of Mysteries.

Death Eaters were everywhere, Sirius bolted for Lucius Malfoy, the one going after Harry. The room was a blur of curses and hexes flying through the air, Death Eaters and Order members both getting injuries. He was dueling with Lucius, Harry by his side reminding him so much of James. Suddenly he heard Bellatrix’s voice. The voice cut clear across the room, a curse sent his way but he had no time to block it.

He stumbled and began to fall, the last thing he saw was his godsons confused expression. Then he was with James, Lily and Regulus. The world was incredibly bright and clean. The pain, anguish and trauma of his life gone, replaced with the calm and happiness he had always wished for. And war was a distant memory.

[Thanks for reading and getting this far with me. It was probably not the best representation of Sirius but to me Sirius Black is a selfish, silly attention seeking fool but he is also incredibly kind loyal and loving. He loves from his entire heart. He is so inpeccably good and noble and after such a childhood and then years in Azkaban one would think he’d have become as horrible as the Black Family but he remained good. He is flawed it is true but who among us is not? Thanks for reading and hope you were able to enjoy it.]

[theweasleysredhair]

Numb {Songfic} [S.B.]

Character: Sirius Black

Word Count: 1343

Requested?: Yes/No

Summary: Songfic based on the lyrics of Linkin Park’s ‘Numb’.

WARNINGS: Mentions of abuse.

Disclaimer: Gif isn’t mine, credit to whoever made it

+ + + + +

I’m tired of being what you want me to be Feeling so faithless, lost under the surface

Sirius Black was the exact opposite of what his parents expected, wanted or hoped for. He was in their eyes, unpredictable, uncontrollable and unimportant.

He didn’t do as they asked, and he loathed them. He felt that his entire purpose was to aggravate them - particularly his mother - as much as he could.

He had started showing signs of rebellion from an early age, clearly disagreeing with his parents’ teachings, however his mother told everyone that it was ‘just a phase’.

It wasn’t ‘just a phase’.

Sirius knew that as soon as he got to Hogwarts, he wanted to be sorted into any house that wasn’t Slytherin.

When he met three boys on the Hogwarts Express in his first year, he instantly knew that he wanted to be friends with them for as long as possible.

And as soon as the boy with messy hair and glasses said he wanted to be in Gryffindor, Sirius suddenly was determined to be wearing red and gold by the time he next saw his parents. 


I don’t know what you’re expecting of me 
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes

“This is a disgrace! How could you have been sorted in Gryffindor?! What could have possessed you to be put there? With all the blood traitors?! What will people think of us?” The larger woman froze in horror, “What will the Dark Lord think of us? You have disgraced this family, Sirius Orion Black!”

The dark haired boy stood silently, blinking occasionally, though he cursed mentally at the woman he was supposed to call his mother. She was vile and cruel, and wanted him to take after her and her husband.

They wanted him to be something he didn’t want to be.

And he wasn’t happy about it.

He was proud to call himself a Gryffindor in a family that worshipped Slytherin. He wanted to be different, to prove to his parents that he was his own person, that he couldn’t be controlled by them, like they were doing to Regulus.

As soon as he went up to his bedroom that night, he hung up everything he could that he knew would anger his mother greatly, from every Gryffindor banner he owned, to pictures of him and his Gryffindor friends.

After all, not only would it make his mother burst with anger, he loved being able to see the faces of the three people he cherished most in the world everyday. 


Every step that I take is another mistake to you

He dreaded going back to the place he was supposed to call ‘home’ over the summer holidays. He didn’t want to see his family - if that’s what he should call them - especially knowing he had to wait two whole months before being able to see his friends again.

He could only begin to imagine the horrible things his parents had spouted to Regulus to keep him from following Sirius’ rebellious ways, and hoped more than anything that his brother - his baby brother - would still love him, despite everything he had done so far.

His brother was the only person related by blood that he still cared about. He just hoped that Regulus would still care for him, too.

I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there Become so tired, so much more aware By becoming this all I want to do 
Is be more like me and be less like you

Regulus being sorted into Slytherin was like a slap in the face. Sirius had hoped that, rather like him, his brother would be sorted into Gryffindor. What would his parents have said then? Their favourite son being sorted into the house they hated the most.

As soon as the hat screamed, “Slytherin!”, Sirius knew he had lost his little brother. He knew his parents had already brainwashed him into thinking their way. It was too late to save him.

The only thing he could do now was disrespect and dishonour his parents and the Black name as much as possible.

Someone had to show his parents that they couldn’t control everyone.

And Sirius Black wanted to be that someone.

Can’t you see that you’re smothering me?
Holding too tightly, afraid to lose control

The ball was in full swing, and Sirius stood on the outskirts of the room, staring blankly at the people around him. He pulled at the tie hanging around his neck, wishing he was anywhere but here.

“Sort out your robes! Stand up straight! You’re a Black, Sirius! It’s time to start acting like it,” his mother hissed as she buttoned up the suit and pushed his unruly hair out of his handsome face.

He scowled and turned away, wanting nothing more than to be with his best friends James Potter, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.

Apparently being a ‘respected’ pureblood meant attending huge balls held for no reason at all except to highlight that the pureblood families thought they were superior to others.

“Why can’t you be more like Regulus?!” He heard for the tenth time that night already. 


‘Cause everything that you thought I would be 
Has fallen apart right in front of you

Sirius hated them. He hated his parents. He hated who they were, how they thought, and how they treated him.

He hated that they were still trying to control him. He hated that they were still trying to make him 'realise the error of his ways’.

Most of all, he hated what they had done to Regulus. They had taken the poor, innocent boy that had once looked up to Sirius, and brought him up to be a clone of them, willing to fight for the Dark Lord, and become a Death Eater.

He didn’t want them to be his family. He wanted a better family, one that loved him. That wanted him. That accepted him for him.

The only place he had ever felt like he belonged in his life was Hogwarts, and that’s where he had started referring to as 'home’, not Grimmauld Place. 


Every step that I take is another mistake to you And every second I waste is more than I can take

“You can’t do anything right! You’re useless! You’re vermin! You’re scum! And you’re no son of mine, you traitorous retch!” Walburga Black screamed at Sirius, her dark eyes filled with detest.

Sirius glowered back, his own hostility to the woman in front of him clearly evident.

“Well at least I’m not a vile old woman who doesn’t care about anyone but herself!” The dark haired boy had found him yelling back, his anger at an all-time high.

Before he had even finished his sentence, his mother had retaliated swiftly.

And he knew the bruising that covered his jawline wouldn’t disappear quickly. 


I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel you there 
Become so tired, so much more aware
By becoming this all I want to do 
Is be more like me and be less like you

Sirius ran up to his room, ignoring the shouts from downstairs, and grabbed a bag, filling it with everything he could possibly need.

He left everything that related to his family - every medallion, every goblet, every pennant - and instead opted to pack only the most important things.

He pulled his leather jacket on, and slung the bag over his head. As he heard shouting still coming from downstairs, he carefully left the room and edged down the steps, avoiding the kitchen where he knew his parents were, and entered the living room.

His eyes fixed on the fireplace, and he stood inside it, grabbing a handful of Floo powder, before carefully reciting the Potter household address.

The last thing Sirius saw before disappearing from Number 12 Grimmauld Place was his little brother entering the room, eyes fixed on his own as he was suddenly whisked away.


And I know I may end up failing too 
But I know you were just like me with someone disappointed in you


The dark haired boy landed in the Potter’s fireplace in the late of night, surprising a man and a woman to no end.

The woman - Euphemia Potter - recognised the boy from the descriptions her son had told her often, and immediately ran forward to pull the 16 year old boy into the warm room. “Oh my dear! What on earth has that woman been doing to you?” Her loving arms had wrapped around his tall frame, her gently hands softly caressing the boy’s jaw as his sobs finally surfaced.

She held onto the poor boy as he cried into her shoulder, rubbing up and down his back and cradling him like a baby.

The man - Fleamont Potter - had since left the room, heading upstairs to inform his own son that his best friend had arrived in their home.

Sirius clung onto Euphemia, his tears still falling onto her shirt as she whispered soothing words into his ear, holding him like he were her own son.

This must be what it feels like, he thought, to have a mother who actually cares. 


I’m tired of being what you want me to be.

[halothenthehorns]

All in the Family

Chapter 9: The Potions Master

"Oh this is perfect!" Peter burst out with surprised laughter the moment he'd caught his breath back from the stone room spinning about. "Slughorn's office, couldn't have asked for better!"

"What were you two talking about over there?" Sirius demanded with a slight pout, rubbing furiously at his head and so looking more cross-eyed than anything when he saw Regulus nodding appreciatively at their surroundings as well.

"Where are we?" Remus noted as he began looking around in detail, stretching and sitting up with a small frown.

The office wasn't designed to have eight random students be plopped into it, and those were the most obvious at first. James had landed in the chair with such force he toppled it over, sending the robes that had been hanging on the back to pool beneath him but doing nothing to cushion the fall. Evans had landed hard on the desk and upset a bottle of ink, while the other six had simply crashed to the ground in the little available walking space, Alice nearly in the fireplace with a hateful mutter, "this isn't feeling any better every time!"

They all got to their feet though with more winces to see what Remus meant, and found the not so subtle signs. The desk took up the majority in a spacious room, so it looked more menacing than any office they'd been in. The walls were lined with jars full of pickled things, Lily immediately identifying four of them. They were clearly somewhere in the dungeons with no natural lighting, the place echoed with almost as much emptiness as the immense hall before.

"I think we're in Snape's office?" Regulus said, having to dig the book out from under the desk and flipping to the next chapter.

"What do you mean he got an office?" Sirius scoffed.

"Do you expect them to give him a cupboard when he became the Potions teacher?" Remus rolled his eyes for that one.

"Or how about asking, so we're really traveling through time?" Frank muttered clearly to himself. The Dursleys house before had been ominous but still something outside their world, this was a place in their school that should not exist yet.

"Next chapter's all about him, so it looks like we'll find out," Regulus inserted when he read as much, and even Alice and Frank couldn't garner up any kind of good mood at the idea of this, but at least their slight grimaces were kind to the other four making exaggerated, pained expressions.

Lily simply looked radiant, wondering if she could convince the little Black to give this chapter up, but he was already going.

The start wasn't as bad as they would have thought, listening to Harry go through his classes for the first time was something they all knew well so it was much like their experiences with the last few chapters. It came to no one's surprise gossip was following Harry around, and James at least was excited to hear, whether intentionally or not, of Harry trying to get into that forbidden room just to find out himself what was in it, and they all had a good laugh at the bits Filch made an appearance in.

Most of the classes were as unmemorable as their own firsts after so many years, the only highlight being they all laughed at McGonagall still showing off to the first years, though she'd switched from a cow as in their year to a pig this time.

The Marauders couldn't help but give a mocking laugh to the idea it had taken Harry so long to get down to the Great Hall without getting lost, while Frank made a face in sympathy for the kid as it had taken him a week.

Lily couldn't help a pleased smile that Hagrid was still giving Harry such attention even in school, though she wasn't quite sure what the motive was for this considering Harry clearly now had a friend. She tried to tell herself she was acting paranoid, but it wasn't helping her feelings of unease grow worse when Regulus got to the last class.

For once, James wasn't paying much attention to her, especially her growing frustration at someone other than him for once as he watched his friends. Sirius was shuffling his feet with guilt the moment Snape appeared properly in full detail, but at least Remus was frowning at him rather than avoiding looking at him.

"I thought you two had cleared the air on this?" He muttered, unsure how much of a wasted effort that was and if he was going to be heard anyways.

Clearly thinking of the same, Remus chose his words carefully, "we, made our grievances clear, and it, ah, made some other things come out that we needed to talk about-"

"Look Remus," Sirius' impatience pushed through Remus' awkwardness, "I did a stupid thing, and I apologize. Now you are very well aware I didn't mean it, and clearly it's had no impact on this gits life," he finished with disdain when Regulus just kept dishing out the snide comments from Snape in this future.

Remus nodded his agreement to this, giving him an awkward smile and James hoped they were done lingering on this already. "Was that really all it took for you two?" He couldn't help but mutter in exasperation, but honestly he was more than happy seeing the two smiling at each other again, he just wanted things back to normal.

It helped that Peter chose that moment.

Nothing so grandiose as some of their setups they'd done in the past, but Peter wasn't doing this to impress anyone either. He just hadn't quite decided Sirius needed to be let back into the fold without some kind of revenge, so in perfect synchronization as if they'd planned it, he and Regulus raised their wands and intentionally combined two perfect spells that had a pipe line above Sirius temporarily dump down onto him.

There was a blast of icy cold water that sprayed only him, and then it was repaired as suddenly as it had started, leaving Sirius apparently one who'd rolled around in half cleaned seaweed on its way to the lake.

"Thank you Wormtail," Sirius said as it continued dripping down him, he even had to spit a bit of it out of his mouth before he could continue, "for finally getting that over with."

"You knew I was going to do that?" Peter protested.

"You are many things my friend," Sirius rubbed carefully to get a particularly slimy chunk of green out of his eyes, "subtle is not one of them."

Peter raised his hands in surrender but went over and offered Sirius the robes which he gratefully accepted to start wiping at his nose.

When he sneezed and a bit more flew out, Lily couldn't suppress it anymore and burst out laughing.

James looked over wildly and found her leaning up against the farthest shelf, her face bright red and holding her sides.

"Oh, so you do think we're funny?" He eagerly jumped at the chance to parlay with her in such a suddenly good mood.

She didn't answer for a moment even as her giggles subsided, nor did she plan to as she'd rather swallow that nasty concoction rather than admit why she'd laughed so hard.

It should have been impossible, it certainly made no sense to her to hear the way Sev was treating a kid, no matter who Harry looked like. She'd been growing steadily more outraged at the treatment of these children, and the blow he'd dished out to Neville just now in making it his and Harry's fault for a potion exploding was honestly the worst thing she'd ever heard any person do, let alone her best friend!

She'd wanted to scream, she wanted him in her face right this second to explain that this was all just a cruel idea of a joke and he was going to turn into that kind and attentive friend she knew so well any second, she'd had so many things building up in her for a solid few minutes that when she'd watched a genuine act of merriment even being played out amongst idiots who caused her more grief than anyone, she'd finally released it all.

Potter seemed to realize he wasn't going to get a response, so finally sighed and turned back away to continue smiling and laughing with his mates like old times while Alice sidled up to her again, holding her nose but frowning for a wholly other reason. She stood awkwardly there though, unsure how to reach out to Evans this time and offer anything when honestly the lot of them were just seeing more of the same Snape they saw every day, hearing those nasty rumors of the rest of the friends he hung out with. Frank hadn't said anything to her, but she could tell he was uneasy about Evans and much she associated with those nasty pre-Death Eater's just like the rest of the school.

"I don't suppose it helps at all he's treating all the kids like this, not just Potters," she tried anyways.

"Nope," Lily's icy, one word answer was enough that Alice got the mood and left her to stew in silence and sidle back over to Frank, who was scowling hatefully at this all as well.

"If Potter doesn't dunk his head in a vat of boils when we get back I will."

"Frank, that's not like you," Alice reprimanded quietly as she took his hand.

"Well I think it's high time I should be like that," Frank took her hand quickly and gave it a squeeze as he kept hearing what Neville was going through. "I've been growing sick for ages watching all these bullies run the school, now it turns out one of them's going to be given a position of power by Dumbledore himself and he's still abusing it. I've been saying for ages I want a way to fix this Alice, got to start somewhere."

"Turning into the monster only creates another," Alice quoted with a heavier frown.

"What would you have me do then?" he sighed, easily backing down from the threat as he looked to her bright amber eyes. They hadn't even realized they'd both wanted to be Auror's last year when he'd offered to study their OWL's together, each finding out it was the others desire as well only at the beginning of this year and they'd started dating that night. It was a purpose that they were sure would have drawn them together no matter what in the end, a fight they knew they were going to get involved in with the coming war and looking to meet it head on.

"What you always do Frank, use your head," she tried to chuckle, though it didn't last long as Regulus described Harry's mores mood upon going to Hagrid's, it admittedly hadn't been the best end to his first week.

Yet they were all caught off guard by Harry easily piecing together what they honestly hadn't given much thought to. What was Dumbledore moving around that was so important then? Regulus was so involved thinking about it, it still didn't occur to him to give them warning when he finished.

[gemstone-roses]

To love another person is to see the face of god.

This is the one of the first things I've written and I've copied it from my ao3 account. I tried haha

Madame pomfrey was moving swiftly between students and professors who needed minor medical attention with cuts and scrapes and minor burns, professor mcgonagall was sat in the corner of the great hall, her face impassive.

Harry Hermione Ron and Neville were sat on a bench, not talking, just being there, with each other, the battle was won, at the cost of many dear to everybodys heart and the weight of grief was heavy in the hall. The bodies of the fallen had been moved to the hospital wing, some were still missing.

Luna was stood on her own, blood smeared in her blonde hair, staring at seemingly nothing.

"Do you hear the people sing...

Rons eyes shot up to the middle of the hall where Luna was staring "Do you hear that? Harry? Mione? Neville?

"Hear what Ron? Your hearing things" Hermione said half exasperated

"Lost in the valley of the night...

Professor mcgonagall stood up then, a shimmer in the air and then she saw them.

"It is the music of the people who are climbing to the light...

More heads began to turn as they could very clearly hear this angelic sound coming from the middle of the hall.

"For the wretched of the earth there is a flame that never dies, even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise..

Harry looked up and rubbed his temples, he was sure he just heard tonks voice, but she was dead.

"They will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord, we will walk behind the plough share, we will put away the sword...

Harry could see now, Tonks with her hair still the same colour as when she had laid down her life, mad eye with his eye,not moving. Harry's eyes went wide as his mother and his father appeared at the front of what now looked like a.. well a ghost quoir.

"The chain will be broken and all men shall have their reward"

Molly burst into tears as her son belted out those words, her son that she never got to say goodbye too, George's other half, his best friend and brother, and there he was, standing proud as ever, amongst the fallen order members of the first wizarding war and the second, and the students who had stayed to fight for their school, and their beliefs, and payed with their lives. At the front, tiny compared to everyone else, was a house elf, with big round eyes and odd socks on, he was crying, smiling up at Harry and his wheezy. Next to Lily and James stood Marlene and dorcas, all singing with all their heart, they died too young. They all did.

"Will you join in our crusade who will be strong and stand with me, beyond the barricade is there a world you want to see? Remus was stood next to his wife, arm wrapped around her waist, looking at all the wide eyed students as they stared in disbelief at the scene unfolding before them. Harry looked over to mcgonagall who just gave a shrug whilst silent tears rolled down her face as if to say 'magical castle, who the hell knows why' . Molly and George were hugging each other like it was the last time they would ever get to do that, and a few hours prior, molly had done the same thing with fred knowing it may well be the last time she did, but trying not to think about that, george gave a half hearted nudge at his mother as he spotted his uncles , the uncles who he never got to meet, they all deserved better. Regulus was stood at the back of the fallen, not wanting to really be noticed, i mean he was dead, but whatever.

"Do you hear the people sing say do you hear the distant drums, it is the future that we bring when tomorrow comes" and with that, everyone in the hall turned to the entrance, and in walked Sirius black, waving a Gryffindor flag maniacally as he sang, he slung his arm around his little brother and grinned.