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Chapter Text

Harry:

It was June eighteenth, 1996 and it was a horrible day.

First, Harry had a terrible vision that Voldemort had kidnapped Sirius and was torturing him. Then when he tried to leave Hogwarts to find him, Umbridge had caught him and his friends and threatened to use the Cruciatus Curse on him to get answers. Luckily, Hermione managed to trick Umbridge and now she was somewhere in the Dark Forest with a herd of angry centaurs (whom Umbridge stupidly insulted).

But then when Harry and his friends (much to his dismay) arrived in the Department of Mysteries, he was horrified to learn that it was a trap to get a prophecy orb that involved him and Voldemort. Then Malfoy Senior, Bellatrix Lestrange and a group of Death Eaters appeared and started attacking them. They had barely escaped the group, only to get trapped in the room they were currently in. And just as they were about to be killed, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, Mad-Eye and Kingsley appeared. That’s when the fight began.

Spells flew, and screams echoed; it was mayhem.

And somehow in the chaos, the orb got destroyed and only Harry had heard it; but in his current state of fear, determination and adrenaline, Harry could not make sense of it. But he couldn’t worry about that now. He had to help Sirius. But where was he?

“Filthy blood traitor!”

Harry turned in the direction of Bellatrix’s screech. She was fighting Sirius, who was leaping around like an antelope, tossing spells at Bellatrix while laughing. He was dangerously close to the strange arch. Harry could still hear voices within the arch. They were getting louder and louder, almost like they were beckoning to the closest person to enter. And the closest person was Sirius.

Harry gasped before running towards Sirius and Bellatrix. No, not Sirius! He couldn’t lose him; not again! He had to protect his godfather!

“Come on, cousin!” Sirius taunted Bellatrix, who was puffing and getting angrier as every spell she threw got deflected. “You can do better than that!”

“ADVADA KEDAVRA!” Bellatrix shrieked.

“NO!” Harry screamed, launching himself in between the bright green light and Sirius.

Gasping, Harry’s eyes shot open. His throat was dry; his cheeks were wet and his heart was racing. It was dark; too dark. Sirius! Where was Sirius?!

“Sirius?” Harry croaked, sitting up. “Sirius!”

“Harry?”

Harry looked at his door. He could see two blurry, shadowy figures in the dark and a soft, red floating light between them.

“W-who’s there?” he rasped, cursing himself for having the world’s most awful eyesight.

“It’s Remus and Sirius,” came Remus’s voice. “One moment, Fawn.”

Harry watched as the fuzzy light bounced and floated towards him until it was hovering over his bedside table, right where his glasses were. Quickly, he snatched them up and slid them on his face. He sighed as his eyesight became clear. He could see Remus and Sirius in the doorway; still a little blurrily due to the sleep in his eyes but clear enough to register the most important thing ever. It was a dream. Well, a memory but still. Sirius was alive and standing a few feet away from him along with Remus.

“Thank Merlin!” Harry croaked, falling back and covering his face with his hands, ignoring the way his glasses dug into his face as he felt his heartbeat slow with each breath.

Just a dream. It was okay. Everything was going to be okay.

“Fawn?”

It sounded like Sirius was approaching him. Harry lifted his hands to see Sirius and Remus standing above him. Remus was holding a filled glass and they both had tired, worried looks on their faces.

“Sorry,” Harry croaked as he sat up, his voice coming out scratchy.

“Here, Harry,” Remus smiled, handing him the glass. “Drink.”

“But that’s yours,” Harry protested before coughing a little. His throat hurt so much. Had he been screaming again?

“I can get another,” Remus reassured him. “Drink, cariad.”

Harry drank slowly, enjoying the way the cold water coated his sore throat. As he did, Sirius and Remus placed their wands on the bedside table before taking a seat on either side of him.

“Feel better, Fawn?” Sirius asked when Harry finished.

“Yeah, thanks,” he nodded as Remus took the empty glass and put it on the bedside table. “Sorry, was I screaming?”

“No, but we heard whimpering and talking,” Sirius informed him. “And before you ask, no, love, you didn’t wake us up. We were already awake.”

“You were?”

“Yeah, we had nightmares,” Remus admitted before looking bashful. “And I forgot Tonks and her parents have Teddy tonight.”

Sirius chuckled while Harry’s lips twitched. Edward “Teddy” Remus Lupin had been an accident. An accident resulting from a one-night stand between Remus and Tonks during an incredibly stressful night of following and spying on a trio of Death Eaters before hiding when they had been discovered. But it didn’t matter. Teddy was a light that came after a period of darkness (especially after The Incident at the Ministry) and everyone adored the sweet little metamorphmagus, especially Tonks, Remus, Sirius, and Harry.

“Anyway, do you want to talk about it?” Sirius asked, stroking Harry’s hair. “Your nightmare?”

Harry sighed. “Not really.”

Sirius and Remus looked at him, making him sigh again.

“It was about the battle at the Ministry again. When Bellatrix threw the Killing Curse.”

Immediately, Harry could feel the despair rolling off the two men.

“Mine too,” Sirius admitted, a tear rolling down his cheek. “Seeing that spell hit you….”

Sirius’s voice trailed off, his shoulders shaking. Harry winced.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-,” he started to say.

“No, annwyl,” Remus interrupted, taking both his and Sirius’s hands in his own. “Don’t apologise for our nightmares. It’s okay, we’ll get through it. All of us.”

Sirius nodded, wiping his cheeks with his free hand before shaking his head. Harry couldn’t help but chuckle at that. It was so funny how often Sirius would act almost canine.

“Well, would you like us to stay here until you fall asleep again?” he offered.

Harry frowned. “What time is it? And what’s the date?”

Remus picked up his wand before flicking it, muttering the time spell. “Quarter to five and it’s June, fifteenth.”

Harry sighed. He wasn’t going to fall asleep again. Not at this time and certainly not with the nightmare still fresh in his head. Besides, he had things to do and not enough time.

“No, I have to get up,” he said, kicking off the covers. “I need to head over to Grimmauld and finish my errands.”

“Oh Harry, you don’t have to,” Remus told him, leaning so Harry could easily get off the bed. “I’m sure your errands can wait. And, you don’t have to go back to sleep if you don’t want to. We can just do cuddles.”

Harry paused, so tempted to climb back on the bed and accept. Many years with the Dursleys had denied him the parental affection he had longed for, so whenever Remus or Sirius offered cuddles, he would leap at the chance despite his initial reluctance. (Freaks don’t get cuddles.)

Remus and Sirius’s cuddles were amazing; so different from Molly Weasley’s smothering hugs and Hermione’s constricting ones. Sirius and Remus’s hugs felt protective and comforting, like they would shield him from anything hurtful. But what Harry loved the most were the smells. Remus always smelt like chocolate and parchment while Sirius was vanilla and motor oil and they both had a faint canine scent as well. One time, during a cuddle session, Harry told the two men how their cuddles helped him feel safe. Remus then explained to him that there was a Welsh word called “cwtch” which was a cuddle with someone that made you feel safe and loved. Sirius said it was one of his favourite words and it quickly became Harry’s favourite word too.

“That does sound lovely,” he admitted, grabbing the jeans, shirt and underwear he had laid across the base of his bed the night before. “But I got to finish the thing I’m doing.”

“Does that mean we’ll finally get to see what you’ve been doing for the past couple of months?” Sirius asked eagerly.

Harry chuckled. Even out of his animagus form, he could see Sirius’s tail wagging in excitement.

“Maybe,” Harry teased, grabbing his sneakers and wand. Then he gave them a soft look. “You guys go back to sleep. I’ll be back before you know it. I’m only going to Grimmauld. See you later.”

“Bye Harry,” he heard the two men call back as he left the bedroom, heading straight for the fireplace.

He quickly threw in some Floo Powder before calling as clearly as he called, “Twelve Grimmauld Place!”

***

Sirius:

After hearing Harry call out the address and the roar of the Floo, Sirius fell back against the pillows with a sigh.

“You okay, Pads?” Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged. “Getting there.”

Remus nodded. “You want to go back to our room?”

Sirius tiredly rolled his head towards Remus before shaking it. “No, I want to stay here for a bit. Smells like our pup.”

Remus nodded before moving to lie down as well. Sirius smiled as he looked at his best friend… no, boyfriend now. He still couldn’t believe how lucky he was. The man he had loved since he was fifteen loved him back and was now his. His to hug; kiss; love. Slowly, he reached out a finger to trace the scar that ran across the bridge of Remus’s nose, making the werewolf smile.

“How many times did you check on him during the night?” he asked, taking the finger in his hand.

“Three,” Sirius answered quickly, only to be levelled with a disbelieving look from the lycanthropic man. “Fine, five. How about you?”

“Three,” Remus shrugged. “But the second time, I just stood in the doorway watching him sleep. I don’t know how long I was there for but I nearly fell asleep standing up.”

Sirius hummed, shifting closer to Remus as the memories began to fill his head.

“No!”

Sirius watched in horror as his godson was engulfed by the bright green light that spewed from Bellatrix’s wand before crumbling to the floor in front of him. It was like time stopped. Everything was frozen.

Then Bellatrix dropped her wand before falling to her knees, a disbelieving laugh leaving her lips. That’s when it hit Sirius. Harry had stepped in front of the Killing Curse to protect him. And now he was dead. His godson; his little Fawn. That little boy he had held in his arms after he was born was gone.

“No, no,” Sirius whimpered, falling to his knees beside Harry’s body, his hands reaching for him but not touching him. His fingers flexed but his hands refused to move, refused to touch.

“Sirius” Remus screamed, quickly sending a freezing charm at the Death Eater he was battling before running forward.

 But Sirius couldn’t hear him. Finally, his hands moved. He touched Harry’s hand. It felt warm but his eyes. They were wide open; the bright green dull and unseeing. Just like Lily’s. Just like James’s. Harry was gone. Just like them.

“No! No! Harry, please! Please, wake up!” he pleaded, shaking his arm. “Please! I lost your mother and father! I lost my brother! I can’t lose you too! Please wake up!”

Then he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up. Remus was beside him, staring at Harry, tears falling.

“Harry,” he whimpered, a shaking hand reaching out to touch his cheek. “No, Harry.”

Then Remus frowned, his gaze fixated. Sirius looked in time to see a black mist leave Harry’s scar before floating towards the arch beside them, which was suddenly filled with a soft, swirling grey mist. He watched silently as the black mist danced within the grey before disappearing. And then, the moment Bellatrix began cackling manically, things got worse.

“Pads?”

Sirius blinked and looked at Remus.

“Moons?”

“You’re crying.”

“Oh,” Sirius quickly wiped his eyes and cheeks. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Remus sighed, pulling Sirius to his chest and wrapping his arms around him. “Seeing him like that scared me too.”

“It was like seeing Prongs and Lils all over again,” Sirius whimpered, feeling his chest tighten. “In Azkaban, the Dementors loved making you relieve your worst memories. The three favourites they loved me reliving were the day after the Prank, the day I left Reggie behind and when I found James and Lily. And seeing Harry lying there like that….”

Sirius couldn’t stop the sobs as he clung to Remus.

“I can’t believe we almost lost him!”

“I know, fy seren,” Remus whispered, holding him tight. “Shh.”

As Sirius wept into Remus’s shirt, he felt his eyes grow heavy with tiredness and tears until he felt himself drift.

***

Remus:

The moment Voldemort appeared in front of him and Sirius, Remus felt his heart in his throat. He had never met the man before and now; seeing him standing before him, staring at him, Sirius and Harry’s body sent ice-cold fear through his blood. Fearfully, he wrapped his arms around Sirius while Sirius pulled Harry’s body close to his chest, staring fearfully at the monster before them.

“Who?” he hissed in a dangerously calm voice as he rolled his wand between his fingers. “Who has denied me my destiny? Who killed Harry Potter?”

Remus couldn’t help it. His eyes instantly flicked to Bellatrix, who was gazing at the man in awe and fear, before looking back at Voldemort. Voldemort’s eyes narrowed as he slowly turned to look at Bellatrix.

“Please, my Lord,” she simpered, crawling towards him until she was kneeling by his feet. “I didn’t mean to! I was trying to kill the blood traitor but the boy stepped in front of it! I swear I would never….”

“Crucio,” Voldemort snarled.

Bellatrix screamed, withering on the floor from the intense pain her master was inflicting. Remus’s stomach churned as he tightened his grip around Sirius and Harry. He wanted to apparate them out, away from this place; away from Voldemort but it was like he had forgotten how to. He was too scared.

Please! He silently begged his body. Please move!

Then Voldemort stopped, allowing Bellatrix to breathe.

“M-m-my L-l-lord,” she whimpered, shaking. “P-p-please!”

“You’ve failed me,” he hissed.

“N-n-no!” she stuttered, pulling out her wand and pointing it towards them. “I-I-I found th-the prop-prophecy! See? A-accio P-prophecy!”

Nothing happened. Bellatrix turned white.

“B-but I-I saw him w-with it!” she cried. “A-accio Prophecy! Accio Prophecy!”

“You have failed me!” Voldemort snarled again. “You lost the prophecy that foretold my future; the key to my victory! And then you killed Harry Potter! CRUCI-!”

“He’s back!”

Remus turned his head towards the new voice. Dumbledore, Cornelius Fudge, Amelia Bones, Kingsley, Tonks, Mad-Eye Moody, and a large group of Unspeakables and Aurors were standing there, staring in shock at the scene before them. Tonks was ashen with a cut on her forehead and Mad-Eye was covered in dust and blood. Fudge, Amelia, the Unspeakables and the Aurors looked as white as ghosts. Voldemort glowered at the group before apparating away. Bellatrix immediately tried to do the same, only to get hit by a spell from Mad-Eye, knocking her unconscious. Then they turned their attention to Remus and Sirius. Fudge’s eyes widened.

“Sirius Black!” he screeched. “Arrest him!”

“NO!” Remus screamed, scrambling to position himself in front of Sirius. “He’s innocent!”

“A likely story!” Fudge sneered in disgust.

“It’s true, Minister,” Tonks piped up, blood dripping from her cut. “He’s innocent. It was Peter Pettigrew…”

Remus tuned out Tonks’s explanation to Fudge and Amelia as he turned his attention back to Sirius, who was cradling Harry as he wept. Slowly, he reached out to take Harry’s hand. It felt cold and heavy. Crying, Remus lifted the cold hand to his lips, kissing the cold knuckles. His cub was gone.

“Remus!”

Remus awoke with a start. Sirius was staring at him.

“I heard your heart racing,” he explained, cupping Remus’s cheek. “You okay?”

Remus shook his head. Sirius nodded before reaching over Remus to grab his wand.

“Accio dreamless draught,” he commanded with a swish. Instantly, a plastic medicine bottle flew towards him. “Have you had any lately?”

Remus quickly did a mental count in his head. “Not for a few weeks.”

Dreamless draughts were very addictive and it had been a struggle for him, Sirius and Harry not to take a sip every night to keep the dreams away. Thankfully, they had found other ways to keep the dreams at bay but tonight- or this morning- was not one of those times.

“Here,” Sirius said, holding out an eyedropper.

Remus stuck out his tongue, cringing at the bitter taste of the potion droplet before doing the same to Sirius.

“Thanks,” he said, tightening the bottle and putting both it and Sirius’s wand on the bedside table before lying down again.

“No problem,” Sirius nodded, curling up against Remus again. “No more nightmares this morning. Go to sleep, mon amor.”

“You too, fy nghariad.”

Chapter Text

Tonks:

Tonks sat on a bed in the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts, watching the scene before her. It was heartbreaking. On the bed next to her was Harry’s body. It was cold, still, and currently being covered by Remus and Sirius, who were shaking with sobs.

On Harry’s other side were the kids (Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna and Neville), who were all sitting on a bed that Madam Pomfrey had enlarged so they could sit with each other. They had not stopped staring at Harry since his body was brought in. The boys were grey and trembling while the girls were weeping. As they stared at Harry, Madam Pomfrey silently moved between them, her face white and her lips trembling as she quietly healed the kids.

On the other side of the room, Minister Fudge, Amelia Bones, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Mad-Eye Moody, and Professor Dumbledore were watching the whole scene before them (although Fudge was glaring at Sirius while Amelia studied him thoughtfully) while discussing what had happened.

She sniffed, rubbing her wet eyes. Everything that had happened over the past- she didn’t know how many- hours felt like a blur and all the adrenaline she had experienced had evaporated and now she was angry, distraught and exhausted. She honestly didn’t know how she managed to describe the whole ordeal when Madam Bones calmly asked her what had happened.

First, she had gotten a Patronus from Dumbledore saying that Harry was at the Department of Mysteries with his friends. Then when she arrived with Remus, Sirius, Kingsley and Mad-Eye, they were all surrounded by Death Eaters, including her absolutely insane aunt Bellatrix. Then, during the battle, she was knocked unconscious after getting Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Luna and Neville to safety.

Then, when she came to, Mad-Eye was beside her, holding his handkerchief to her forehead. Dumbledore was with him, along with Amelia Bones, Minister Fudge, and a group of Aurors and Unspeakables. Dumbledore then asked her where she had last seen Harry. She then led the group to the last place she had seen Harry while telling them what had happened before she was knocked out. The scene before her was absolutely horrifying.

Sirius was on the ground, holding an unconscious Harry in his arms and sobbing while Remus had wrapped himself protectively around the two of them, crying alongside Sirius. And if that wasn’t scary enough, Voldemort, himself, was standing before them, holding Bellatrix under the Cruciatus Curse as he screamed at her for killing Harry. Then after Fudge stupidly announced their arrival (finally believing that Voldemort had returned from the dead), the monster escaped. Thankfully, Mad-Eye had knocked Bellatrix unconscious so she will be going back to Azkaban along with the other Death Eaters that she, Mad-Eye, Kingsley and Remus had managed to defeat, including stupid Malfoy.

Then Fudge demanded Sirius’s capture, where she desperately tried to defend her cousin, only to be interrupted by Dumbledore, who wanted to know what happened. That’s when she learnt that Harry had flung himself in front of her aunt’s Killing Curse to protect Sirius. Dumbledore had then gone quiet before suggesting that they all go back to Hogwarts.

And now here they were; sitting in the Hospital Wing, injured and heartbroken. Except for Fudge, who was getting redder with anger with every passing minute.

Tonks sighed and then gave a pained groan as her stomach suddenly twisted and clenched, forcing something to climb up her throat. She covered her mouth as her gag reflex suddenly jerked. Madam Pomfrey looked at her before summoning a bowl with her wand. Tonks caught it in time to catch the vomit that forced its way out of her mouth and past her hand. She gagged and choked a couple of times, expelling the acidic bile that burned her throat.

She groaned in pain, disgust and embarrassment. How humiliating. This was the fifth time this had happened this week, which was strange due to her strong immune system. She was never sick, so she figured the nausea was from the stress she had been experiencing since joining the Order with Mad-Eye and Kingsley. But still; now? In front of her bosses, co-workers, old headmaster and a group of kids who were mourning the loss of their dead friend? How disgraceful.

“Are you alright, Miss Tonks?” Madam Pomfrey asked as she finished healing Luna’s split lip.

“Just a bit of nausea,” Tonks smiled weakly, putting the soiled bowl on the bedside table. “I’ll be okay.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” the stern nurse said, waving her wand to clean Tonks’s hand before gently waving it over Tonks’s torso.

Tonks sighed, about to say that she was fine again when Fudge suddenly marched out of the Hospital Wing. Madam Bones sighed, shaking her head before approaching Sirius and Remus.

“Sirius Black?”

Tonks watched as her cousin slowly lifted his head, a mixture of grief and fear on his face. Remus, on the other hand, was alert and watching with wide eyes, like a frightened animal. In a way, they both were. They had just lost their pup and now, there was a chance they were going to lose each other. No, she couldn’t allow that, even if they weren’t yet aware that they both returned each other’s feelings.

“Madam Bones, please-,” Tonks pleaded.

“Stand down, Tonks,” Mad-Eye commanded.

“No,” Tonks shook her head, gritting her teeth as her stomach churned uncomfortably. Why did she feel so sick? “Madam Bones, please. I told you. Sirius is innocent. He was-.”

“I know,” Madam Bones interrupted with a nod.

Tonks watched as she slowly approached the two men before looking down at Harry’s body. She sighed and removed her monocle, gazing at the two with sad eyes.

“I remember how you two were in school and I remember how much you loved James. It never made sense to me how you, someone who is probably the most Gryffindor man I have ever met, would betray James Potter to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. And now that I know the truth, I’m going to say this. It has been decided that all charges against you will be dropped and the order to be Kissed on Sight has been rescinded.”

“Really?” Remus asked hopefully as Sirius stared at the woman, speechless yet hopeful.

“Really,” she nodded. “The Minister and I are going to go back to the Ministry and hold a conference. By this time tomorrow, all of Magical Britain will know the truth about you and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.”

Madam Bones then held her hand out to Sirius. “I am truly sorry that you spent many years in Azkaban and nearly four years on the run. And I am sorry that you’ve lost your godson.”

Sirius sniffed as he shook the offered hand.

“Thank you, Madam Bones,” he said gratefully. She then held her hand out to Remus, who shook it.

“Good luck to both of you,” she said before looking at Kingsley and Mad-Eye. “Gentlemen. We have work to do.”

Tonks would have spoken up, asking if there was anything she could do to help if it wasn’t for the gentle yet sudden tap on her shoulder. She looked at Madam Pomfrey, who was looking at her with apprehension.

“Miss Tonks,” she asked quietly. “When was your last menstrual cycle?”

Tonks’s eyes fluttered open at the sounds of whimpering. Slowly, she rolled over to face the cot beside her bed. She could see a little pair of legs waving and kicking through the mesh sidings. She smiled, slowly moving to sit up and peer inside the cot. Her sweet, little three-month-old son, Teddy, had managed to magically undo his swaddle and vanish his sleepsuit again, leaving only his nappy (thank Merlin). He was lying on his back, kicking his legs while his hair flashed different colours.

“Good morning,” she laughed, gently picking him up. “And how’s my Little Bear? Do you need a bath?”

Teddy gurgled as Tonks quickly checked his nappy. Thankfully, no need for a bath. Just a quick change. Laying him on his changing table, Tonks quickly changed Teddy’s nappy before dressing him in a comfy yellow sleeveless onesie and a pair of matching socks. She’d pack a pair of leggings and a jumper later in case it got chilly but for now, it would be enough. She beamed as his hair briefly turned bubble-gum pink to match hers before turning its usual turquoise.

“There. Now, don’t you look like a handsome Hufflepuff?” she said, picking him up with a kiss. “Now, let’s go see Mum and Dad and get some breakfast.”

As she walked towards the kitchen of her parents’ simple house, she held Teddy close with one arm while holding the wall with her free hand and watching her feet simultaneously. It was a trick she had learnt when she was younger to prevent herself from falling down the stairs. And now that she had a baby to think of, Tonks had made it a habit of holding onto walls while she was holding Teddy, not because she didn’t trust herself but because she just wanted that extra sense of security.

Eventually, she made her way into the kitchen, where her parents Andromeda and Ted Tonks were. Ted was at the stove, frying what smelt like bacon, and Andromeda was stirring something in a mixing bowl.

“Morning, Mum and Dad,” Tonks smiled, taking a seat, and unbuttoning her pyjama top with one hand.

They smiled.

“Hello, darlings,” Andromeda waved after putting down her spoon.

“Good morning, Dora, tiny Teddy,” Ted smiled, putting bacon on a plate with some paper towel. “Bacon sandwich?”

“In a minute, Dad,” Tonks smiled, gently manoeuvring her son to her breast. “Just got to feed this little munchkin first. What are you making, mum?”

“A devil’s food cake,” Andromeda answered, carefully pouring the cake batter into cake tins. “My little contribution to Harry’s surprise for Siri and Remus. You want to lick the bowl, Nym?”

“No thanks, don’t feel like sweet,” Tonks shrugged, grateful that her mother was using the nickname.

It had been an ongoing battle for many years. Andromeda loved the name Nymphadora but Tonks didn’t. She found it too long and dainty for her personality. But eventually, they came to a compromise. Tonks would accept either Nym or Dora by her mother, Andromeda would only use her full name when she was beyond upset and she wasn’t to fuss when others referred to Tonks by her surname.

“After I finish feeding this little man, I’m going to go across to Grimmauld to help Harry bring his gifts across to Hogwarts before hiding them,” she explained, carefully switching Teddy to her other breast.

“Just make sure you eat before you go,” Ted smiled, placing a fresh bacon sandwich and a glass of orange juice on the table beside her. “You’ll travel better with something in your system.”

“I still don’t understand why Harry insisted on all this being early,” Andromeda shook her head as she placed the cakes in the oven before muttering a spell to clean the dishes. “What is he planning?”

“I’m not sure,” Tonks admitted, handing Teddy to her father so she could redo her buttons and eat. “He’s been keeping it quiet. All I know is that there’s going to be a party at lunchtime in the courtyard at Hogwarts and we’re invited; along with Neville, Luna, Hermione, Lyall, Professor McGonagall and the Weasleys.”

Tonks felt her lips twitch as she watched her mother wince before schooling her “pureblood etiquette face”, as Ted called it. Like Sirius, Andromeda and Molly Weasley didn’t get along too well at the moment due to the circumstances of Teddy, Tonks and Remus.

After everyone had learnt that Tonks was pregnant and Remus was the father, Molly had been firm with her belief about the two getting married to save face. However, Tonks made it clear that she didn’t want to get married, and that Remus was head-over-heels for Sirius and vice-versa. So, they had decided to co-parent and share custody with Teddy living with Tonks and her parents during his infancy stage (especially since Remus and Sirius were living at Hogwarts with Harry until he graduated).

Molly was not happy with the arrangement Tonks and Remus had created and while Andromeda wasn’t exactly thrilled at the idea of her daughter being a young, unwedded mother; she understood that Tonks was happy being an independent mother and career woman and that Remus wasn’t going to abandon his son. So, she supported the arrangement, much to Tonks’s joy and Molly’s dismay.

And a lot of good came out of the “happy accident” as Tonks secretly called it. Teddy was born happy and healthy with no lycanthropic traits (Remus had cried with relief when he learnt that Teddy wasn’t a werewolf, saying he wouldn’t wish his ailment on his worst enemies, let alone an innocent babe) and Andromeda loved being a grandmother. She had told Tonks during her pregnancy that she had wanted more children but years of inbreeding in the Black family had left fertility issues within. But she had been lucky to be blessed with her daughter. Also, Remus had taken full responsibility and become a brilliant father, along with Sirius. And Harry took to being a big brother like a fish to water. Not to mention Remus’s father, Lyall, who adored Teddy as much as Andromeda and Ted did.

“I see,” Andromeda said calmly. “What time should we be there? The cake still needs a little while and I still need to make the icing.”

“I think Harry said to be there by eight-thirty,” Tonks said thoughtfully before looking up at the clock. Quarter to seven. An hour and forty-five minutes left.

“Yeah, plenty of time,” Ted smiled, handing Teddy to Andromeda, who beamed at the baby. “I’ll finish the cake, love. Dora, you want another sandwich?”

“No, thanks Dad,” Tonks smiled, quickly finishing off her sandwich and juice. “I’m going to go get ready. You guys are sure I can leave Teddy with you for an hour and a bit?”

“Oh yes, dear,” Andromeda smiled, still gazing lovingly at her grandson. “He can do tummy time and cuddles before we head over to Hogwarts. How are we getting there?”

“Professor McGonagall’s floo is open,” Tonks answered, grabbing some clothes from a nearby laundry basket. “I’m going to get dressed and head over to Harry.”

As she walked off to shower and change, she could hear Ted laugh while Andromeda cooed at Teddy. She smiled, curious at what Harry was planning for Remus and Sirius.

Harry:

Harry looked around, confused. The area he was in looked like King’s Cross Station except it was… clean and quiet. There was no smell of coal or fuel. In fact, there was no smell at all. And there were no trains either. So weird.

Then he heard something behind him. A whimper. He turned. There was a bench behind him and it sounded like the noise was coming from underneath it. Curious, he kneeled and peered under, using the bench to hold himself steady. He jumped back in horror. Underneath was an… almost skeletal creature of some kind. Its long stick-thin legs were tucked against the thing’s torso with a spindly arm wrapped around them. Its skin was bloody and its breaths were coming out in small, painful mewls.

Harry’s eyes prickled with tears as he stared at the pathetic creature.

“Harry?”

Harry looked away from the creature to see two figures standing before him, only a few feet away. A man and a woman. The woman had dark auburn hair and emerald green eyes and the man had dark, unruly curls and glasses, just like Harry.

Harry gasped, his eyes burning. “Mum? Dad?”

They smiled, opening their arms. The urge to run towards them was strong but Harry hesitated. What if it was a trick from Voldemort or a Death Eater? Taking a deep breath and hoping his tears would not fall, Harry slowly approached the couple, testing to see if they would disappear or change. But instead, they waited patiently until Harry was right in front of them. He looked between them before looking down at their hands. They were right there. Nervously, he raised his hands and touched their fingers. Solid. Warm. Real.

“Mum! Dad!” Harry choked before flinging his arms around them. Tears fell as he hugged them tight, feeling their hands on his back and the back of his head.

“My little boy,” Lily sniffed, stroking his hair. “You’ve been so brave.”

Harry sniffed before looking up at them. They were crying but had proud smiles on their faces.

“That was a reckless thing you did, sacrificing yourself like that to protect Sirius, son,” James smiled. “I know I shouldn’t applaud it, but I have never been prouder.”

“I couldn’t let him die,” Harry admitted.

“Thank you for protecting my brother,” a new voice said.

Harry looked over his shoulder to see a man standing behind him. He had dark, short wavy hair, silvery-blue eyes and a small smile. He looked only a few years older than Harry and very similar to Sirius.

“You’re… you’re Sirius’s brother, aren’t you?” he asked. “I saw your picture on the tapestry.”

“Regulus Black,” The man bowed his head slightly. “How do you do?”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Harry smiled before looking around. “Where are we?”

“The afterlife in a way,” Regulus informed him. “It takes on different appearances to help ease the fear of the unknown. But the fact that it’s King’s Cross is a bit unusual.”

“It’s probably because of the first day I went to Hogwarts,” Harry shrugged. “My happiest memories started at King’s Cross because it’s where I met my best friends and when I found my home at Hogwarts.”

“Makes sense,” James nodded.

Harry smiled before frowning.

“But why am I here?” he asked before looking in the direction of the creature. “And what is that thing over there?”

Lily, James and Regulus followed his gaze, a mixture of pity and disgust on their faces.

“That is a piece of Riddle’s soul,” Regulus explained. “The piece that was a part of your scar.”

“What?!” Harry cried in shock. “A piece of his soul?! In me?!”

“Not anymore, love,” Lily reassured him. “Regulus, perhaps you better explain everything.”

Regulus nodded. “Let’s sit.”

The four of them sat on the ground, which Harry was pleasantly surprised to find warm and comfortable, not cold and hard like concrete typically was.

“You won’t know this because it is extremely dark magic; very forbidden,” Regulus explained. “But Riddle created these things called Horcruxes.”

“Horcruxes?” Harry asked confused.

“It’s a type of dark magic where you split your soul into pieces and place the soul piece in an object for safekeeping in an attempt to become immortal,” Regulus explained. “That way, if the host’s body is injured or destroyed, a horcrux acts as an anchor, allowing a wix to live on. It’s achieved after committing murder.”

Harry’s eyes widened. That explained so much. Then his eyes widened, remembering the diary Malfoy Senior had given Ginny before the school year started almost four years ago.

“So, the diary I destroyed in the Chamber of Secrets in my second year?” he asked. “Was that a Horcrux?”

“Yes, son,” James nodded. “It was the first he created.”

Harry let out a disbelieving scoff. He had managed to destroy a Horcrux… no, TWO Horcruxes. Brilliant. Then he frowned. If Voldemort wanted to achieve immortality, surely he would have created more than two Horcruxes, wouldn’t he?

“Has he made more?” he asked.

“He created seven,” Regulus answered. “Six intentional Horcruxes and one unintended; you.”

“Me? Unintended? What do you mean?”

“You know the story of how we died?” Lily asked.

“Yes, and I remember parts of that night,” Harry nodded, shuddering from the memory of the Dementors whilst wincing at the pain on his parents’ faces. “Dad tried to stop him; to give you a chance to escape with me. But Voldemort killed him and he targeted you and me. He told you to stand aside so he could kill me but you refused. You begged him for mercy and then he killed you.”

Harry paused as Lily closed her eyes while James took off his glasses to wipe his face. Regulus gave them a gentle pat on their shoulders, giving them the minute they needed. After taking a breath, Lily opened her eyes and smiled.

“Keep going,” she encouraged.

“Um, okay…er, he said in the graveyard when he was given a new body that you sacrificing yourself cast some sort of protection spell on me,” Harry said. “So, when he tried to kill me, the Killing Curse deflected and destroyed him instead. But how did I become a Horcrux?”

“Because he had already split his soul in half so many times, the remainder of his soul was unstable,” Regulus explained. “So, when his first body got destroyed due to Lily’s sacrifice, a piece of his soul attached itself to the only living thing it could find. You.”

Harry stared at Regulus before letting out another disbelieving scoff. “So that’s what Dumbledore meant by Voldemort transferring some of his powers to me. The reason I could see into his mind this year and why I can talk to snakes. Did he know?”

“We’re not sure, son,” James admitted. “All we knew was that there was a prophecy in place involving you and Riddle but now, the prophecy is void.”

“What do you mean, dad?”

“You heard the prophecy before it broke, didn’t you?” James asked, to which Harry nodded. “The prophecy is that you and Riddle were supposed to destroy each other, which meant that he was to destroy the Horcrux in you without realising it, which in turn would destroy him. However, when you stepped in front of the Killing Curse to save Sirius from Bellatrix, you unknowingly broke the contract of the prophecy. So, the prophecy is void. You and Riddle are no longer destined to destroy each other because when you got struck by Bellatrix’s Killing Curse, it destroyed the part of Riddle’s soul that was nesting in you.”

Harry looked in the direction of the creature, along with Regulus, who sighed.

“Sadly, it will be stuck here for eternity due to it being damaged beyond repair thanks to the Horcruxes,” he admitted. “But Harry, your soul is free. So, you may choose.”

“Choose?” Harry asked.

Suddenly, there was a whistle. Harry looked over his shoulder to see the outline of a train approaching. He watched as it got clearer and clearer until it stopped beside them. Feeling a hand on his shoulder, he turned to see Lily, James and Regulus standing. James held out his hand.

“You can go back and live or move on with us,” James answered, pulling Harry to his feet. “All we need to do is board the train and move on. Together as a family.”

Together. A family. All his life he had wanted that. Yes, he would board the train and be with his parents again. No more Boy-Who-Lived. No more Voldemort. No more war. No more pain. No more… Sirius. And Remus. Ron. Hermione. Harry paused, his hand slipping out of his father’s.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Lily smiled kindly.

“But if I go with you, what will happen to Padfoot?” Harry asked. “Or Moony? Or Ron and Hermione? Neville? Luna? Ginny? I…” he sighed. “…I’m sorry. I’d love to go with you but I can’t leave them to face Voldemort by themselves. And I can’t leave Sirius and Remus. I’m all they have.”

Harry stared at his parents and Regulus nervously as they looked at him before beaming.

“We know,” Lily smiled.

 Harry sighed in relief as Lily hugged him again.

“I love you,” she whispered. “I’ll see you one day. And tell Sirius and Remus that I forgive them for their stupidity; Sirius for going after Pettigrew and Remus for not contacting you for so many years. Take care, sweetheart.”

She then pressed a kiss to Harry’s forehead before climbing aboard the train. As she did, James drew him into a hug.

“Live the best life you can,” he said, his voice cracking. “Let Pads and Moons know I love them. And please tell them to grow a pair and admit they like each other. Life’s too short to keep something important like that a secret.”

Harry frowned at James, who winked before getting on the train as well. Now, only Regulus and Harry were left on the platform. Harry looked at Regulus, who was looking awkward.

“Well, first, there are five remaining Horcruxes,” he told Harry. “Salazar Slytherin’s locket. It’s in Grimmauld Place. Kreacher knows where it is. There’s Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem, which is hidden in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts; and Helga Hufflepuff’s cup, which is in Bellatrix’s vault. There’s a ring that belonged to one of Riddle’s family members. It’s hidden in the Gaunt Shack, which is located outside Little Hangleton in Yorkshire and the last one is Riddle’s snake, Nagini. Will you be able to remember all that?”

“Locket, diadem, cup, ring, snake,” Harry repeated. “Grimmauld Place, Room of Requirement, Bellatrix’s vault and a shack outside Little Hangleton. Got it.”

Regulus nodded before looking shy. “Um, could I ask something of you?”

Harry nodded.

“Would you hug my brother and tell him that I’m sorry and that l never stopped loving him?” Regulus asked hopefully. “Tell him that I’m sorry I wasn’t as brave as him and that I tried to do the right thing in the end. Kreacher will explain once you tell him you know about the Horcruxes. He’ll tell you and Sirius everything. Will you tell Sirius for me?”

“I promise,” Harry nodded.

Regulus smiled before patting his shoulder. “Thank you. Good luck.”

As Regulus boarded the train, Harry felt a warm breeze roll over him, followed by some voices.

“Please, Harry. We want you back. We love you. Please come back.”

Sirius and Remus. Harry smiled, watching as Lily, James and Regulus waved before disappearing into the mist. Harry then turned, feeling determination and hope fill his body.

“I’m coming, guys.”

Then, as soon as he said those words, the mist suddenly surrounded him, spinning around him wildly like a strong gust of wind. Harry frowned. What was the mist doing? Then he felt something shove him hard. And then he was falling and falling and falling…

Harry suddenly inhaled, filling his lungs with as much oxygen as he could. He coughed, sitting up and looking around wildly. Where was he? What happened? Where were Sirius and Remus?

“Out of the way! Let me though!”

Madam Pomfrey? What was she doing here? Wait, where was here? It almost looked like the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. He was at Hogwarts?

“Harry? Harry, look at me!” Madam Pomfrey said, taking his face in her hands. “Eyes on me, Potter!”

But he couldn’t look at her. His eyes were on the people around her, staring at him in shock. He could see Madam Amelia Bones, Mad-Eye Moody, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Headmaster Dumbledore, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Luna, and Tonks. But where was… then he saw them. Remus and Sirius. They were staring at him in shock with red eyes and tear-stained cheeks.

Slowly, Harry reached his hands towards them, feeling tears fill his eyes.

“Padfoot, Moony,” he croaked.

Sirius let out a choking sob as he launched himself towards Harry (Madam Pomfrey jumping out of the way in time), wrapping him in a tight hug. Harry wrapped his arms around the man’s upper back and buried his face in his godfather’s shoulder, closing his eyes as he felt Sirius’s hand cradle the back of his head. He was alive and in Sirius’s arms. Everything was okay except it felt like something was missing. More specifically, it felt like someone was missing. He opened his eyes to see Remus standing by his bed with an uncertain look on his face, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to join the hug. Harry sniffed and held out a hand, silently asking the werewolf to join. He watched as Remus sighed in relief before joining the hug, wrapping both Harry and Sirius in his long arms. Harry closed his eyes again, allowing himself to be enveloped by the warmth of his godfathers. He was alive. He was home.

“Harry,” Sirius sniffed. “You’re okay. How…why…how is this possible?”

Harry opened his eyes again and pulled back a little so he could see everyone properly, who were all crying from relief and confusion.

“I know how to stop him,” he said. “I know how to beat Voldemort. But we need to talk to Kreacher first.”

“Mister Harry, wake up!”

With a startled gasp, Harry’s eyes snapped open to see Kreacher staring at him.

“Kre-,” Harry interrupted himself with a heaving cough.

“Mister Harry!” Kreacher cried in alarm, quickly summoning a glass of water before holding it out.

“Thank you,” Harry croaked, drinking from the glass deeply before putting it down with a sniff. “Did I doze off? How long have I been asleep? What time is it?”

“It is six minutes after the hour of eight,” Kreacher answered. “Mistress McGonagall was worried when Mister Harry did not show up at eight like he said he would so she asked Kreacher to find you. But when Kreacher got here, he saw Mister Harry was resting so Kreacher was unsure about waking Mister Harry, but Mister Harry did not look comfortable so Kreacher thought….”

“Thank you for waking me, Kreacher,” Harry interrupted, trying to hide his frustration.

He couldn’t believe he had dozed off and wasted all that time. He didn’t have time to doze off. There was still so much to do. Pulling off his glasses, he rubbed his eyes before fanning his face with his hand. Why did the air suddenly feel so stuffy? Replacing his glasses on his nose, he looked at the frail elf.

“Thank you again, Kreacher,” he said gratefully. “Has Tonks arrived yet?”

Kreacher nodded. “When Kreacher arrived, Miss Tonks was just leaving. She said she saw you asleep and was going to get you something to eat. Kreacher offered to watch over Mister Harry until either Miss Tonks comes back or Mister Harry awoke.”

Harry smiled. Obliviating the elf was the best idea Sirius ever had. After Harry had returned from the afterlife, Sirius summoned Kreacher and was about to yell at him for putting all the kids in danger when Harry stopped him. Harry then told Kreacher that he had met Regulus in the afterlife and asked him to tell everyone about how Regulus died. The elf had burst into tears before telling everyone about Voldemort; the locket; the poison; the Inferi; how Regulus had sacrificed himself to get the locket; the promise Kreacher was forced to take and how he couldn’t destroy the locket no matter how hard he tried.

There was not a dry eye in the infirmary by the end of Kreacher’s tale. Sirius had then apologised to the elf for his treatment before asking him to summon the locket. Kreacher obeyed and gave the locket to Sirius, asking him and Harry to fulfil Regulus’s dying wish. The two promised and then Sirius offered to take away all the house-elf’s memories and free him to work at Hogwarts for the rest of his days, to which the elderly elf agreed.

After he was freed and his memories were taken away, Dobby was summoned to take Kreacher to the kitchens. Madam Bones then told Sirius that she would organise an Order of Merlin for Regulus’s bravery that would be rewarded after Voldemort was destroyed while Tonks offered to tell Andromeda what had happened to her younger cousin. It was a tragic yet informative moment for everybody.

“Mister Harry?” Kreacher asked, interrupting Harry’s thoughts. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” Harry nodded, wiping his runny nose with the back of his wrist. “Would you go back to Professor McGonagall and tell her that I apologise and I will be there as soon as possible, along with Tonks?”

“Kreacher will do that,” Kreacher nodded before disappearing with a snap.

Harry smiled before returning to the task he was doing before; carving a figurine out of a block of wood. Shaking his head a couple of times to clear it, he pointed his wand at the small block of wood sitting on the table in front of him.

“Okay, okay, here we go,” he huffed, shivering as beads of sweat rolled down his back. “Sculpo lupus.”

Harry watched as a soft light left his wand and engulfed the block, twisting and turning it until it looked like a wolf. Harry smiled, putting his wand down to examine the sculpture. It looked absolutely perfect… except for the fact that it was missing two legs.

Growling in frustration (if your godfathers have canine characteristics, is it possible for those traits to rub off on others?), Harry tossed the deformed carving into the messy pile of misshaped and brittle wooden figurines that were slowly growing in the corner of the kitchen. He sighed, aggressively rubbing his nose with the back of his hand with a few sniffs. Out of all the gifts he had made and organised for Remus and Sirius, this was proving to be the most difficult. Little wooden figurines of his godfathers’ animal forms to sit on the chocolate cake Andromeda was baking for him. There was also a bear cub for Teddy and a fawn for him because Sirius had told him that he, James, Lily, and Remus used to call him Fawn when he was a baby.

Hypothetically, it seemed like a perfect present but physically, he was struggling with the spell at the moment; which was weird seeing how he had managed to sculpt a perfect bear cub and fawn two days ago after about five tries each. But yesterday, it took thirty tries before he succeeded in making a dog that looked just like Sirius. And now, he had sculpted… what, forty; maybe fifty blocks of wood with his wand and each figurine had come out deformed or so brittle it had broken in his hand. He sighed again.

“Come on, Harry,” he muttered, grabbing another block of wood from the pyramid sitting beside him. “This is for Padfoot and Moony. If you can face a troll; a Cerberus; a colony of man-eating spiders; a basilisk; a transformed werewolf; a horde of dementors; dragons; merfolk; incompetent, racist teachers; Death Eaters and an insane murderous psychopath plus die and come back to life, you can carve a wolf figurine out of a bloody chunk of wood!”

Suddenly, he heard the fireplace roar behind him. Immediately, he leapt to his feet and pivoted, wand outstretched and the disarming charm on his lips. With a loud clatter, Nymphadora Tonks (or Tonks, as she aggressively insisted) came tumbling through the fireplace holding a paper bag, her hair its usual bright bubble-gum pink and her clothes covered in soot. As she grinned up at him from the floor, Harry slowly relaxed his stance and smiled at her.

“Hey, Tonks.”

“Wotcher, Harry!” She stood up, brushing at her clothes. “Nice reflexes! Moody would have been proud.”

Instantly, Harry felt the heaviness of guilt weigh upon him. Moody. Horcruxes. Nagini. Oh, he felt sick.

“Hey now,” Tonks marched over and dropped the paper bag on the table before taking Harry’s cheeks in her hands. “Look at me. None of that; none of that. Deep breaths. Remember? Today’s a happy day.”

Harry closed his eyes before taking some deep breaths. Tonks was right. He had been planning this day for weeks and he was not going to let anything ruin it. Not his fears; not his guilt; and certainly not this itchy, runny nose. Why was it running so much?

“There. You okay now?” Tonks asked kindly. “Or do I need to whip out the pig nose?”

“No, I’m okay,” Harry laughed, sniffing. “What’s in the bag?”

Then his stomach rumbled, making Tonks laugh.

“Good thing I went back to mum’s then. I bought you something to eat,” Tonks grinned, pulling out her wand and summoning a plate. “A bacon sandwich from my dad.”

Harry smiled, watching Tonks set the sandwich on the plate and slice it with a cutting spell before refilling his glass. He loved Ted Tonks’s cooking. Not only did it taste good, but it was easier to stomach Ted’s cooking over Molly Weasley’s. It wasn’t Molly’s fault that Harry struggled with eating her cooking. It was just Molly was a housewife who spent so much time cooking large portions for six hyperactive, athletic, healthy children that she didn’t notice that Harry’s body wasn’t built like her children’s.

However, Andromeda and Ted were Healers and trained to notice all different types of medical issues, including a malnourished body with difficulty keeping certain foods down. He still remembered the first time he had met them. Both Ted and Andromeda had taken one look at him and before Harry knew it, they had both done a full body scan and put together a care plan to help him get to a steady weight. They had also done the same to Sirius, Remus and Tonks when they learnt she was pregnant.

“Here you go,” Tonks grinned, placing the sliced sandwich and the full glass in front of him. “Eat up.”

Harry took a bite. The bacon wasn’t too crispy or greasy and the bread must have been fresh because it was so soft. Overall, a perfect sandwich.

“Thanks, Tonks.”

“No problem. Got to take my mum role seriously,” she winked before looking around. “Did Kreacher go back to Hogwarts?”

“Yeah,” Harry nodded, putting down the sandwich half. “How was he with you?”

“Eat,” Tonks encouraged. “And he was very polite. Honestly, I don’t know why we didn’t obliviate him early. It’s so nice to be around him and not hear the words “filthy mudblood bitch” every five minutes. But at the same time, it’s good we didn’t, otherwise we wouldn’t have the answer and who knows what would have happened?”

Harry swallowed the last piece of the sandwich half, feeling a little nauseous. Who knows what might have happened if he hadn’t stepped in front of Bellatrix’s Killing Curse to protect Sirius? Would Sirius have died? Or Remus? Tonks? Ron? Hermione? Ginny? Neville? Luna? The twins? Or what if he had decided to move on along with his parents and Regulus? What would have happened to everyone? Would Voldemort have won? Would he have destroyed everything in England? Would he have travelled to other countries and destroyed other wizarding families?

“Harry!”

Harry jumped. Tonks was staring at him, arms folded but her eyes kind.

“You were doing “what ifs” again,” she scolded gently. “Don’t do that. You did the right thing.”

“Sorry, it’s just…I can’t help it,” Harry admitted. “I mean, I don’t want to but it’s really hard to stop.”

“Hey,” Tonks smiled gently, touching his cheek. “You had a shitty childhood and then you were thrown into one shitty situation after another with the belief that no one would save you because you had been let down ever since you were little. You’re going to have days where you can’t get out of bed. And that’s okay. It may have been nearly a year since the “Incident” and the “Item Destroying” but we’re all still hurting. So, we’re going to spiral from time to time; there’s no stopping that. So, all we can do is support each other and reach out when we see someone drowning. That’s all we can do.”

Harry smiled. “Thanks.”

Tonks grinned and pulled him into a hug, making him sigh. Tonks’s hugs were quite like Sirius’s, except hers smelt earthy with a hint of baby. He relaxed, feeling the anxiety leave him and get replaced with hunger.

“Feel better?” she asked.

“Much,” Harry nodded before picking up the second half. “Thanks for breakfast.”

“No problem,” Tonks shrugged. “So, two things. One; how’s the preparations going? And two; I hope you do something just as lovely for me on Mother’s Day or my birthday.”

“Almost finished,” Harry answered, alternating between eating and pressing the back of his hand hard against his nose. “I finished getting all the presents yesterday and I just need to finish these figurines. This is the last one. And yes, I’ll plan something just as lovely for you and say it was all Teddy.”

“You’re so sweet,” Tonks giggled before frowning when Harry sniffed again. “Hey, are you alright? You haven’t stopped sniffling since I got here.”

“It’s just an itchy nose,” Harry assured her, finishing the rest of the sandwich before downing the water quickly. “But honestly, I am a little frustrated. I can’t get this wolf figurine right.”

Tonks looked over at the pile of broken and misshaped pieces before picking one up to examine.

“I don’t know, Harry. I think these look pretty cool,” she chuckled as Harry grabbed another block. “And Remus has a good sense of humour. He might find these hilarious.”

“I know but I want them to be perfect. I want to make today a perfect day,” Harry admitted, pointing his wand at the block. “Sculpo lupus.”

Harry watched with bated breath as the block was engulfed in the soft light before changing shape. It twisted and turned until it looked like a wolf. Holding his breath, Harry picked it up. Four legs and a tail, plus it wasn’t falling apart. He did it.

“Yes!” Harry cheered while Tonks applauded.

“Well done!” she grinned as Harry stood up and pocketed his wand. She frowned. “Where is your holster, young man?”

Harry winced. “On my desk in my room. I…uh… forgot it this morning.”

Tonks sighed and shook her head. “I’ll let it slide at the moment because you’re trying to get everything organised. Now, is everything ready to take to Hogwarts?”

“This is the last piece,” Harry confirmed, walking over to the cupboard closest to them and opening it.

Inside were about eleven wrapped gifts in various shapes and sizes, a fancy-looking envelope, two black garment bags and a wicket basket that Harry had borrowed from Molly Weasley. Harry picked up one of the smaller boxes and opened it before holding it out to Tonks. Inside were the bear cub, fawn and dog figurines he had previously carved.

“What do you think?” he asked hesitantly. “Do they look okay? Maybe I should colour them?”

“Harry, they’re lovely,” Tonks reassured him. “Absolutely lovely. They’ll look brilliant on the cake Mum’s made.”

“Really?” Harry asked hopefully, gently placing the wolf beside the bear before closing the box.

“Really?” Tonks confirmed before waving her wand to shrink the large presents. “So, what should I carry? Best not give me anything breakable.”

Harry laughed, carefully filling the basket with all of the gift boxes and the envelopes. Then he held the basket towards Tonks.

“You can carry these. I’ll carry the garment bags,” Harry instructed.

“How many gifts did you get them?” Tonks asked in amazement, taking the basket.

“A few,” Harry admitted sheepishly, gently folding the garment bags over his arm. “Thanks again for helping me bring all these to Hogwarts, Tonks.”

“Happy to help,” Tonks nodded. “So, what’s the-ah!”

Harry winced as Tonks suddenly stumbled over the full plastic grocery bag sitting by the closest table leg, just catching herself before she fell over. She glared at the bag before looking at Harry.

“What’s this?”

“Sorry, that’s part of the gift-giving,” Harry explained, grabbing the bag. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” she reassured him. “Okay, into the fireplace with me so we don’t lose each other. I’ll throw the dust. You sure there’s nothing breakable in this basket?”

“Everything is wrapped in bubble wrap so even if something fell, it won’t break.,” Harry told her, taking a quick glance at the clock. Five minutes till eight-thirty. “Come on, we have to go. I’m already running late.”

“Okay,” Tonks nodded, positioning them in the fireplace before grabbing a handful of dust. “Professor McGonagall’s office, Hogwarts!”

***

Harry stared thoughtfully at the large Devil’s food cake Andromeda had made. It was thick and dark with the words “Happy Father’s Day, Sirius and Remus” written in red and gold icing and the four figurines Harry made standing proudly in the middle of the cake. It looked lovely but was it enough?

“Hello, Harry Potter,” a sweet airy voice behind him said.

He turned. Luna Lovegood was standing there, with Teddy lying in a pram. She was wearing a lilac sundress with her usual radish earrings, Butterbeer cap necklace, a tote bag over her shoulder and a dreamy smile. On her head sat a lovely flower crown made up of red and white roses. Teddy was wearing a yellow sleeveless onesie, tan leggings, yellow socks, and a flower crown except his consisted of only red roses.

“Hello, Luna. Hello Teddy,” Harry smiled, casting a quick cleaning charm on himself before bending over to kiss the three-month-old.

Andromeda and Ted had taught him that babies were naturally vulnerable to germs and even though magic babies had the extra protection that came from magic, it was better to be safe than sorry. So, they all taught him the safest cleaning charms to use on himself before he had any interaction with Teddy.

“I like your flower crown, Luna,” Harry smiled as Teddy beamed up at him.

“Thanks, it’s for you, actually,” Luna smiled, carefully taking the crown off her head. “Roses are flowers used to celebrate fathers; red for living and white for those who’ve passed on. So, the white roses are for James Potter and the red roses are for Mister Sirius and Mister Remus. And if you want, the white roses can also be for your grandfather and the red can be for Remus’s father and Mister Tonks and Mister Weasley.”

“Thank you,” Harry smiled as Luna placed the crown on his head, touched by her thoughtfulness.

That was one of the things he appreciated about Luna; she always thought of the little thoughtful things that most people either didn’t notice or didn’t say out of embarrassment or respect.

“You are very welcome. I made some for Remus and Sirius too,” she smiled.

“Did you-?”

“I gave them to Neville when I arrived,” she answered. “I ran into him and the twins as they were setting up the string. Remus’s is red while Sirius’s is white.”

Harry sighed. “If they’re as lovely as this one, I’m sure they’ll love them.”

 Luna smiled shyly before cocking her head. “You seem to have a few Wackspurts in your head at the moment. Are you alright?”

Harry shrugged, briefly pressing his nose against his upper arm when he felt it tingle. He wished it would stop running.

“I guess I’m a little nervous,” he admitted. “I just don’t want anything to happen to this courtyard. I want everything to be perfect.”

The two of them then looked at their surroundings. Being June, the school year had just finished, so Professor McGonagall had permitted Harry to hold his Father’s Day party in the Hogwarts Courtyard. Harry had chosen a section where a giant oak tree stood proud, providing shade for anyone who wanted to relax or study without the risk of getting burnt.

There, Harry had set up some tea tables and covered them in ruby-red tablecloths, before setting out golden crockery and a pearl tea set. Each table held an indigo vase that was hand-painted with constellations by Luna and filled with yellow daffodils that Neville had magically grown in the greenhouse for Harry. He had also laid a few large picnic blankets under the oak tree, along with enough camping chairs so everyone could decide on what they wanted to use. It had taken Harry weeks to organise, obtain and decorate the courtyard to the vision Harry had in his head. However, due to him not being the most artistic person on the planet (thank you Dursleys), he needed some help with the decorating side of things. This was another reason Harry appreciated Luna. Somehow, in her peculiar way, she knew what Harry needed and came over, saying that she would look after the decorations. All he had to do was tell her what he needed, and she would take care of it.

“I think it looks beautiful,” Luna smiled, walking over to one of the tables and grabbing a bag. “I believe your godfathers will love it. Oh, by the way, I finally finished it.”

“You did?” Harry asked hopefully, following while pushing the stroller.

Luna grinned proudly as she pulled a sheet out of her tote bag and unfolded it. On it, it read “A very special Father’s Day to Remus Lupin and Sirius Black” in large red and gold writing. Harry beamed as he inspected the sheet.

“Oh, Luna, it’s brilliant and… it smells sweet, like icing sugar,” Harry gave her a confused look as she pulled out her wand. “Why does it smell like icing sugar?”

“Because I used icing sugar,” Luna beamed, carrying the sheet to the oak tree. “It’s to distract the sugar sprites.”

“Sugar sprites?” Harry asked curiously.

“Little sprites that love parties. They love sweet things, so I painted the sign with frosting to keep the sprites away from the food,” Luna explained as she secured the sheet to the branches using a knot-tying charm, accidentally smearing frosting on her cheeks as she moved.

Harry hummed thoughtfully as he checked Teddy’s stroller for a spare baby cloth. He wasn’t certain that sugar sprites were real (and he was glad that Hermione wasn’t around to point out their possible non-existence) but at the same time, he was always learning something new about wix culture so if Luna believed they were real, who was he to say otherwise? Also, it looked like she worked hard on the sign for him, which he appreciated.

“Thanks, Luna,” he smiled, successfully finding the cloth before using it to wipe the frosting off Luna’s face. “I appreciate you taking these precautions.”

“I’m happy to help,” Luna smiled, blushing from the praise. Or maybe it was the way Harry cleaned her face. “And I brought some other trinkets to keep away any other mischievous creatures. I can start setting them up now if you want.”

“Brilliant,” Harry nodded, walking about the tables to straighten the crockery and vases, pushing Teddy as he walked. “What do you think, Teddy? Do you think your daddy and Paddy will like all this?”

“Harry!”

Harry frowned. That was weird. Teddy was too young to talk. At the moment, he only made different sounds and cries. Harry turned to look at the blue-haired baby only to notice the Weasleys (minus Ginny), Hermione, Neville, Andromeda and Ted walking towards them. All of them were carrying either trays of food or jugs full of Butterbeer, pumpkin juice or water. The twins also had backpacks on.

“Harry!”

Okay, that made more sense. It was Hermione that was calling him. He sighed, quickly casting another cleaning spell on himself before picking Teddy up. After settling the baby against his chest, he made his way over to the group.

“Hi everyone,” he smiled, using his free hand to make Teddy wave.

“Hello! Hi! Hey, Harrikins! Wotcher!” came the different responses.

“Hey, mate!” Ron grinned. “Where shall we put these?”

“Just spread them between the tables,” Harry instructed as Molly and Andromeda pressed kisses to his and Teddy’s cheeks. “Have all the gifts been hidden?”

“With the string leading to each one,” Neville grinned as everyone spread out to place their trays and jugs. “We started at the door of their living quarters and finished at Gryffindor Tower, just like you asked. The basket is sitting in your sitting area with the clothing bags and Ginny and Tonks are over in Hogsmeade sorting out the rest.”

“Brilliant. And where’s Lyall?”

“He sent me a patronus when Molly and I arrived,” Arthur told him. “He said he was given a last-minute job removing some fairies from a muggle garden but he’ll be here before the party. He’ll probably meet you in the village.”

“Okay,” Harry nodded.

“Oh, Harry, this looks absolutely wonderful!” Molly cried joyfully.

“Thanks, Mrs Weasley,” Harry said bashfully. “And thanks everyone for helping me with this. And the cake looks great too, Miss Andi.”

“Thank you, Ha-,” Andromeda suddenly frowned as she studied Harry thoughtfully. ‘Harry, are you okay? You look a bit pale, doesn’t he, Ted?”

“Yeah, he does,” Ted said thoughtfully, placing his palm against Harry’s forehead. “And you feel a little warm.”

“It’s because I’ve been out in the sun setting up everything,” Harry smiled, trying not to sniff as he felt his nose tingle again. “I’m-.”

“Boys!”

Harry turned, both grateful and confused at Hermione’s sudden screech. She was standing with her hands on her hips, glaring at Ron and the twins, who were eating sandwiches from one of the trays. Harry sighed. Couldn’t they go one day without arguing?

“Ronald, those are for the party!” she reprimanded before turning her attention to the twins. “And you two! You’re just as bad as him!”

“But we’re just making sure-,” Fred started.

“-that this food is worthy-,” George continued.

“-of our idols, the Marauders,” the twins finished together.

Hermione sighed before looking at Ron.

“And your excuse?”

“I’m hungry,” Ron shrugged.

“You’re always hungry!” Hermione snapped. “Honestly, can’t you-?”

“Enough!” Harry snapped, making everyone jump and Teddy whimper. Harry winced.

“I’m sorry, Teddy Bear,” he crooned softly, rubbing the infant’s back. “I’m sorry.”

Teddy looked up at Harry and blinked his large amber eyes a couple of times before giving Harry a gummy grin. Harry chuckled before looking at his best friends.

“I’m sorry I snapped,” he apologised, running a hand through his baby brother’s soft turquoise curls. “Today is supposed to be a good day. Please, stop fighting.”

“Sorry, mate,” Ron winced.

“Sorry,” Hermione said remorsefully.

“We’re sorry, Harry,” the twins bowed their heads.

Harry nodded. “Okay, but just to make sure, I’m setting some ground rules. Hermione; leave the boys alone and lads; don’t touch the cake. If any of you breaks these rules, I will set off a stink bomb in McGonagall’s office and say it was all of you.”

“You wouldn’t-,” Fred started.

“I would,” Harry promised darkly.

Hermione and Ron grimaced.

“He’s not joking,” Ron warned his brothers. “We promise, mate.”

“We promise,” Hermione copied while the twins nodded.

Harry smiled before looking in the direction of the clock. It read quarter past nine. He sighed in relief. He was right on schedule.

“It’s time,” he chuckled, feeling apprehension and excitement rush through his veins. “Okay, ha-ha, are you all sure you can look after everything here?”

“We’ve got it, dear,” Molly reassured him. “And Minerva said she’ll be down soon.”

“Okay, I shouldn’t be long,” Harry said, walking backwards as he spoke. “I’ll send a patronus if we’re late or need help.”

“Just take your time, love,” Andromeda smiled. “I’ll call an elf to bring out some more food.”

“Okay, just make sure nothing happens to the cake or the courtyard!” Harry cried, just as he reached the pathway that led to the doors.

“We will!”

***

“Okay, Teddy,” Harry grinned at Teddy as he approached Remus and Sirius’s bedroom door, the two garment bags floating behind him with the levitation charm. “You’re ready to help me give your daddies a special day, aren’t you? Yes, you are. Yes, you are.”

Teddy gurgled and cooed, making Harry smile.  He looked up, ready to give the bedroom door a gentle kick due to his full arms, only to be surprised by the open bedroom door. He frowned before peering inside. The room was empty and the bed was unmade, which was bizarre seeing how Remus made their bed every morning. And their ensuite door was open too so they weren’t using it.

That’s weird. He thought, turning to walk. Where are they? I would have seen them if they were in the living area. Have they…

Then, just as he walked past his room, he heard familiar snoring. After looking at Teddy, who gazed back innocently, Harry looked inside. On his bed were his godfathers, sleeping soundly as they held onto each other.

Did they stay here after I left?

Harry looked at Teddy, who had started squeaking the second he saw his father. Quickly adjusting his grip on the baby, Harry walked inside, pausing briefly to make the garment bags hang themselves over his chair. He then approached the bed and gently laid Teddy between the two men on his belly. The baby immediately propped himself up like a seal, beaming widely at the two men as he wiggled and kicked his legs. Harry smiled, placing his wand on the bedside table with the other wands before gently touching Remus’s and Sirius’s shoulders.

“Psst,” he whispered. “Moony, Padfoot?”

Remus grunted while Sirius gave a sleepy moan.

“Yeah?” they grumbled.

“Happy Father’s Day,” Harry sang softly.

“To you,” Sirius sleepily sang back while Remus grunted again.

Harry snorted. “Sirius, it’s Father’s Day for you and Remus,” he giggled, giving Sirius’s shoulder a gentle shake as Teddy grabbed Remus’s shirt and tugged it.

“Mm, yeah Pads, it’s Father’s Day for us,” Remus grumbled before his eyes shot open. “Wait, Father’s Day? For us?”

Teddy squealed in surprise and delight, making Remus gasp.

“Bore da, fy nghariad bach. That is a lovely crown you are wearing,” he cooed, sitting up and pulling the baby close before smiling at Harry. “Bore da, Fawn. I’m glad you’re back. First of all, your flower crown is lovely; where did it come from? And second; was I dreaming or did you say something about Father’s Day?”

“Bore da,” Harry smiled, continuing to shake Sirius’s shoulder. “First question; thank you, Luna made it and Teddy’s too. And second question; also yes, I did. Today is Father’s Day and I’ve planned something special for you and Padfoot.”

“You have?” Remus gaped before giving him a loving look. “Oh, Harry.”

“And as soon as Padfoot wakes up, you can see what I’ve planned,” Harry continued, shaking Sirius again, only for him to roll over, arm over his head.

Harry frowned while Remus shook his head and Teddy giggled.

“You know, I had a plan for getting you up, Remus, but I didn’t take Sirius not waking up into account.”

“I got it,” Remus smiled, shifting Teddy to sit in his lap before poking Sirius’s exposed armpit.

Sirius yelped as his body jolted, narrowly missing Harry. He glared at Remus, who smirked at him.

“Not funny, Moony,” he growled, reaching towards the werewolf.

“Ah, first of all; you can’t attack me, I’m with child,” Remus grinned, gesturing to the giggling baby. Sirius rolled his eyes before giving Teddy’s turquoise curls a soft ruffle, dislodging the flower crown.

“Second of all; it was very funny,” Remus continued, correcting the crooked crown. “And third of all; Harry has something to tell us.”

“Oh, good morning, Fawn,” Sirius perked up, reaching up to kiss Harry’s forehead. Harry closed his eyes briefly at the affection.

“Morning.”

“How come you and Little Bear wearing flower crowns?” Sirius asked curiously.

“They’re a part of my surprise for you both,” Harry answered. “Happy Father’s Day, Padfoot, Moony.”

“Father’s Day?” Sirius asked, surprised before a large, excited grin grew on his face. “You plan a Father’s Day for us?”

“Mm-hmm,” Harry nodded, standing and walking to his chair. “And it’s going to be perfect.”

He then grabbed the two garment bags and held them out.

“These are for you guys. This is Sirius’s-,” Harry shook the bag in his left hand. “-and this is Remus’s.”

Sirius gave a delighted gasp, clambering out of bed to take his gift from Harry’s hand while Remus followed at a calmer pace after putting Teddy on the bed.

“Will you watch Teddy for me?” he asked as Sirius hurried out of the room.

“Sure,” Harry nodded, sitting with Teddy.

Remus smiled gratefully before leaving the room. Harry watched Teddy amuse himself by practising his push-ups when he suddenly heard a scream. He was just about to grab his wand when he heard Sirius cackle manically.

“Sirius, you absolute twpsyn!” he heard Remus snapped. “What was that for?”

“For poking me in the pit!” Sirius laughed. “Now for my revenge!”

Harry rolled his eyes at the yells and laughter before looking at the baby beside him.

“You know, you’re three months old and you’re more mature than those two sometimes,” he said.

Teddy simply looked at Harry before rolling onto his side. Harry smiled, about to tickle the baby’s tummy when he suddenly sneezed hard. He blinked. Where did that come from? Then he sneezed again and again. He groaned, rubbing his nose with a finger before grabbing his wand. As he cast the cleaning charm on himself, he noticed that Teddy was staring at him with wide eyes. He looked behind him. There was nothing there.

“What are you looking at?” Harry asked curiously, eyebrows raising when Teddy started wiggling and squeaking excitedly.

“What’s gotten into you?” Harry asked, laughing a little at the baby’s excitement.

“Harry?”

Harry looked at the door to see Remus and Sirius standing there in their new clothes and robes with concerned looks on their faces and damp hair. Harry snorted, figuring out what the screaming and the cackling earlier were about before grinning at the outfits he had gotten his godfathers. Sirius was wearing an ivory button-down with navy jeans and black biker boots while Remus was wearing a cream button-down with brown corduroys and loafers. Both of them had new dark brown leather belts with a simple holster by their left hips for their wands. But what Harry was most excited about were the cloaks. Remus was wearing a forest-green cloak while Sirius’s was an ombré-style blue, starting with dark blue around the shoulders and getting lighter until it reached the bottom.

“You okay, Harry?” Remus asked, troubled. “We heard you sneeze. Are you getting a cold?”

“Don’t worry, I never get colds,” Harry smiled, walking to his wardrobe. “Do they fit?”

Sirius frowned briefly before smiling. “Yes, Harry, they’re lovely. Thank you.”

“Yes, diolch, Harry,” Remus smiled.

“That’s not all,” Harry grinned, pulling out a charcoal grey cloak and putting it on before waving his wand above his head. “Watch this. Revelio!”

Harry watched in excitement as Sirius and Remus stared at his cloak in wonder. It had taken him forever to get the charms right but thankfully; both Andromeda and Professor McGonagall had grown up doing enchanted embroidery. Harry’s cloak now had a stag in a field of red lilies; a homage to his parents. Remus and Sirius stared in wonder.

“Wow,” they breathed.

Harry beamed, pointing his wand at Remus and Sirius.

“Revelio!”

Watching Remus and Sirius’s faces light up as their cloaks' embroidery was revealed would be a memory Harry would forever cherish. Sirius’s cloak was covered in constellations, but the brightest ones were Canis Major, Leo, Andromeda, Ursa Minor and Lupus. There was also a stag, a doe and a fawn at the bottom looking up at the stars together. Remus’s was a forest scene with a wolf, a stag, a dog, a doe, a fawn, a jackrabbit and a bear cub. Harry watched as Remus and Sirius tearfully studied their cloaks. Even Teddy was excited about the appearances. Or maybe it was the colours.

“Oh Harry, they’re beautiful,” Sirius wept. “How did you…?”

“I had some help,” Harry shrugged, summoning Teddy’s baby carrier for Remus before going over to his desk, where a belt with his wand holster attached was lying.

After securing the belt through his jeans, Harry turned in time to see Remus finish strapping the carrier to his chest while Sirius dangled the corner of his cloak over Teddy, who happily batted at the fabric.

“Okay, are you guys ready?” Harry asked as he slipped his wand into the holster.

“For what?” Sirius asked as he placed Teddy into the carrier.

“For the rest of your presents,” Harry told him.

The two men looked at Harry with wide eyes.

“The rest?” Sirius asked. “How many presents are there?”

“Well, you have to follow the string to find out,” Harry grinned, leading them to the front door.

“What string?” Remus asked with a bemused laugh.

Harry grinned mischievously as he opened the door, revealing a weaved basket on the floor and a length of red string running down the corridor.

“Just follow the string,” he repeated, picking up the basket and the string end before holding them towards Sirius as he and Remus gazed at them with curiosity and excitement.

Chapter Text

Tonks:

After Kreacher had finished his tale and given Sirius the strange locket, which Sirius had wrapped in a cloth and placed on the bedside table, Tonks watched as her cousin obliviated the elderly elf. Then, as soon as a different elf dressed in the most bizarre clothing choice Tonks had ever seen showed up and escorted Kreacher to the kitchens, Albus spoke up for the first time since Fudge stormed out.

“Harry, I was hoping to speak to you,” he began with his gentle grandfatherly voice.

Immediately, Harry’s face filled with anger.

“Oh, now you want to talk?” he scoffed. “Well, it’s a little late for that, don’t you think?”

“Please Harry,” Dumbledore pleaded gently. “I want to discuss what happened to you.”

“Oh, you’d like to discuss it, huh?” Harry asked mockingly. “Okay then, well, here’s the summary; I died because I got hit by the Killing Curse by Bellatrix. I saw my mum, dad, and Sirius’s little brother in the afterlife. I was given a choice to either move on or come back. I chose to come back. Now am I forgetting anything? Oh, that’s right. While I was in the afterlife, I also met this mangled, twisted figure. And guess what? Apparently, it was a piece of Voldemort’s soul that has been living in my scar for the past fourteen years.”

There was silence. Tonks gaped at Harry. Was he serious?

“WHAT?!” everyone except Dumbledore shrieked.

“A piece of You-Know-Who’s soul?!” Ron cried in disgust and horror. “In you?!”

Everyone immediately started yelling and talking over each other, asking how it was possible. Only Dumbledore was quiet. Tonks frowned as she carefully watched the scene before her.

“Remember,” Mad-Eye told her when he first took her under his wing during Auror’s training. “One of the greatest tools an Auror has is observation. Study your surroundings; study the people. Everything and everyone has a tell. What you have to do is figure out how to use those tells to your advantage when investigating or duelling.”

Tonks looked at Harry, who had covered his ears since the yelling started. He looked frustrated and frightened. What was frustrating and frightening him? Tonks stared thoughtfully. He looked like… he looked like he wanted to say something but at the same time, he looked like he was afraid that if he opened his mouth, he would get attacked or something. Hmm, she would have to ask him about that later.

Now, the rest of the group.

The kids looked confused, frightened and disgusted. Okay, nothing to read there.

Madam Pomfrey was trying to calm everyone down. Makes sense, she never liked noise and disorder in her department.

Who’s next? Mad-Eye? Kingsley? Madam Bones? No, they look just as confused as the kids.

Remus and Sirius; they look… angry. No, angry is not the right word. They look like savage wolves. Sirius was snarling and Remus’s eyes were glowing a bright amber. They were both glaring at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore. She then looked at the old man. He was quiet and frowning, just observing the scene before him. Is he angry too? No, that’s not anger. It looks more like… worry and thoughtfulness. Is he worried about Harry? But if he was worried about Harry, why wasn’t he looking at him or asking him if he was okay? Come to think of it, he didn’t look upset about the fact that Harry somehow had a piece of Voldemort’s soul in his head. In fact, he almost looks like a pouting child who just lost his favourite toy… or a game.

Something’s not right, she thought, placing her thumb and forefinger in her mouth before giving a sharp, eye-piercing whistle.

Everyone immediately stopped talking and looked at her, although both Remus and Sirius were covering their ears with pained groans.

“Sorry guys,” Tonks smiled apologetically. “I think we’re all a little confused by what’s just happened so maybe we should all stop yelling and listen to what Harry has to say. Don’t you agree, Madam Bones?”

Madam Bones looked at Harry, who was slowly putting his hands down. Then she looked at Tonks.

“You are absolutely right, Miss Tonks,” she nodded, summoning a chair and sitting down at the foot of the bed. “Mr Potter, would you please tell everyone exactly what happened? In your own words and please, take your time.”

“Now Amelia-,” Dumbledore started to say.

“That’s Madam Bones to you,” Madam Bones snapped. “And you will stay silent until Mr Potter has finished his tale. If I hear one word from you before he is finished, I will ask Madam Pomfrey to remove you from our sight. Am I clear?”

Tonks stifled a giggle. She really admired Madam Bones. Not only was she a brilliant Hufflepuff, like herself, but she also didn’t get swept away by the grandeur that was Albus Dumbledore. For her, truth and justice were important, which is why Tonks believed that she would be a brilliant Minister of Magic one day.

“Of course,” Dumbledore said placidly. “Forgive me.”

As Madam Bones gave an unimpressed hum, Tonks looked at Harry. He was looking at her with a grateful smile.

Thank you, he mouthed.

She winked.

“Mr Potter?” Madam Bones said kindly. “Would you please tell us exactly what happened when Bellatrix Lestrange hit you with the Killing Curse?”

“I died,” Harry answered, making both Remus and Sirius whimper. “And I saw the afterlife. Or a version of the afterlife. Maybe a sort of in-between. I’m not sure.”

“What?!” Hermione shrieked.

“What was it like?” Ron asked curiously.

“Ronald!” Hermione scolded.

“Was it beautiful?” Luna asked hopefully.

“In a way, it was. It kind of looked like Kings Cross Station, except it was clean and there weren’t any trains,” Harry answered honestly before smiling. “I saw mum and dad.”

“Prongs and Lils?” Remus asked hopefully.

“Yeah, and then I met Regulus,” Harry continued before looking at Sirius. “He wanted me to tell you that he never stopped loving you.”

“He did?” Sirius asked, his eyes filling with tears again.

With how much crying he had done since Tonks found him clutching Harry’s “dead” body in the Department of Mysteries, she was amazed that the man still had tears.

“Yeah, he wanted to say that he was sorry he wasn’t brave like you and that he tried to be brave in the end,” Harry told him.

Sirius gave a watery smile. “Oh, Reggie.”

Then Harry pulled Sirius and Remus close before whispering something to them. Tonks watched as they wrapped their arms around Harry, crying softly as they whispered something to him. Harry smiled and then whispered something again; first Sirius and then Remus. Instantly, their faces turned red as they looked down shyly. She smirked. Something told her that either James or Lily Potter told Harry to tell those two to admit that they like each other more than friends.

“Mr Potter?” Madam Bones asked.

“A private message from my parents for Remus and Sirius, Madam Bones,” Harry said quickly. “Nothing to do with Voldemort’s defeat.”

Madam Bones nodded, although she flinched at the use of Voldemort’s name.

“Um, Mr Potter. Would it be alright if you didn't say his name? It’s just… during the first war, there was a rumour he put a taboo spell on his name so whoever would say it would be found instantaneously by Death Eaters. I fear that the taboo will return now that he has given himself away and by tomorrow, every wix will know of his return.”

Harry blinked before nodding. “Then may I use his real name instead? Tom Riddle?”

Madam Bones’ eyebrows rose. “Tom Riddle? Yes, I believe that would be okay, although I would like some information about that later. Now, what happened when you met your parents and Mr Black’s brother?”

“Well, before I met them, I saw this thing,” Harry admitted, cringing in disgust. “It was… bloody and creepy. I honestly don’t know how to describe it. Anyway, I was told that it was a piece of Vol-Riddle’s soul that had been living in my scar since I was one and that it would stay in that place I was in for eternity due to the damage Riddle has done to himself.”

“I see,” Madam Bones nodded, glaring at Dumbledore as he opened his mouth. “Silence, Headmaster, Mr Potter has not finished his retelling.”

Then she turned back to Harry with a smile. “Mister Potter, do you know or understand how a piece of You-Know-Who’s soul ended up inside of your scar?”

“Do you know the story of how my parents died?” Harry asked quietly.

“Just what the rest of our wix nation thought they knew,” Madam Bones said quietly. “That Mister Black was the Secret Keeper of the Potters, that he told You-Know-Who where they were living, that You-Know-Who murdered your parents and you were the only survivor.”

She then smiled at Sirius. “And now that I know that it’s not true, I will make sure the rest of the wix world knows by tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Amelia,” Sirius smiled.

Madam Bones nodded. “Mister Potter?”

“The night he came to my house, Dad tried to hold him off so Mum could escape with me,” Harry continued. “Riddle killed Dad-,” Harry then gripped both Remus and Sirius’s hands as they whimpered. “-and then he went after Mum. He told Mum to stand aside so he could kill me. But she refused, begged for my life to be spared and for her to be killed instead. So, he killed her. And when he did that, she… I don’t know… somehow created some sort of magic shield that protected me from being harmed by him. So, when he cast the Killing Curse at me, it backfired off me and destroyed him instead.”

Tonks gaped. Never had she heard of such a thing.

“How is that possible?” she asked.

“Sounds like ancient magic,” Luna said in an absentminded tone.

“Ancient magic, Miss Lovegood?” Madam Bones asked.

“Mum used to tell me about it when I was little,” Luna continued, melancholy in her eyes. “It’s a rare form of magic that has all but been forgotten by wix culture. It’s difficult to understand but Mum told me that Hogwarts is made up of ancient magic.”

“That is correct, Miss Lovegood,” Dumbledore spoke up. “When the Founders built Hogwarts, it became imbued with ancient magic to protect the students within.”

Everyone looked at him briefly before looking back at Harry.

“So, what happened next when you were in the afterlife?” Madam Bones asked.

“Regulus explained to me what a Horcrux was and how they were made,” Harry continued before looking at Ginny. “You know the diary you had during your first year? And how Riddle possessed you and made you do things?”

Ginny turned green as she gave a slight nod.

“That was a Horcrux.”

Ginny gagged as Madam Pomfrey summoned another bowl. As Ginny vomited, Madam Bones glared at Dumbledore.

“We are going to be having words, Headmaster,” she snarled before looking at Ginny. “And Miss Weasley, I would like to discuss your first year please.”

“Yes, Madam Bones,” Ginny nodded weakly as Ron put an arm over her shoulder.

Madam Bones gave her a gentle nod before turning her attention back to Harry. “Mister Potter, did Regulus Black happen to tell you how many of these Horcruxes were created?”

“He said Vol- I mean, Riddle created seven,” Harry answered. “The one in me and diary has already been destroyed so there are five left. Including that one.”

He pointed at the folded cloth. Tonks eyed it wearily before scooting away, wrapping her arm around her stomach as she did. Evan wrapped up, that thing gave her the creeps. And even more so after Madam Pomfrey’s question. Was she pregnant? She was certain she and Remus had used protection spells that night, hadn’t they? She’ll have to ask her parents to perform the pregnancy spell on her later to confirm. And maybe get a couple of Muggle home pregnancy tests too.

“What are they, lad?” Mad-Eye asked eagerly, interrupting her thoughts. “Do you know where they are?”

“Yes,” Harry nodded. “Regulus told me.”

“We will discuss a plan of action in a minute, Alastor,” Madam Bones informed him. “I just need all the facts first so we can decide on the best plan of action.”

“Of course, Madam Bones,” Mad-Eye nodded respectfully, although Tonks could see he was itching to get started now that they had new information to act upon.

“Excuse me, there’s something I don’t understand,” Neville spoke up. “If Harry’s mum unknowingly triggered a type of ancient magic that protected Harry from the Killing Curse and destroyed You-Know-Who in the process, how did a piece of You-Know-Who’s soul end up inside Harry?”

“Regulus said it’s because Riddle had already split his soul a few times before that the remainder of it was unstable,” Harry explained, looking ill as he looked at the black locket currently sitting on the bedside table. “So, when he was first destroyed by Mum’s sacrifice, the soul piece attached itself to the only living thing it could find; me.”

“Like an injured bird taking shelter in a storm,” Remus realised, his face full of horror. “So that thing has been living in you for fourteen years?”

Harry nodded. “It’s why I’m able to talk to snakes and why I’ve been able to see what’s in his mind all year. Like when Mr Weasley was attacked.”

Tonks broke out of her thoughts at Ginny’s impressed whistle to gaze at the scenery before her. It looked beautiful. Under the giant oak tree were five tea tables; each covered with a deep ruby-red tablecloth and holding a painted vase filled with daffodils in the middle. One table held golden plates, goblets and cutlery, while three others held a variety of finger foods. One table had a couple of punch bowls filled with different drinks and the final table held a large Devil’s Food cake decorated with animal figurines. Some comfortable-looking picnic blankets were rolled out under the tree while a few camper chairs were leaning against the trunk. A colourful homemade banner swayed in the summer breeze as it hung from some branches.

And everyone was there. Well, almost everyone. Neville and Hermione were helping Luna set up a variety of strange trinkets in different areas around the tree and tables. Ron was helping Fred and George set up different fireworks with time delays. Professor McGonagall was talking with Andromeda and Molly as the three of them sat in camper chairs in the shade, drinking tea. Arthur and his son, Percy, were also sitting in camper chairs, talking with Ted as they sipped Butterbeer. It all looked wonderful; a perfect setting for a perfect day.

“Wow!” Ginny exclaimed. “I knew Harry wanted to give Remus and Sirius something special but I never expected him to go all out! This is incredible!”

“He told me he’s always wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day,” Tonks mentioned quietly. “But he wasn’t allowed to with his muggle relatives. So, he wanted to go all out for Remus and Sirius.”

Ginny’s face immediately went blotchy with anger. Tonks bit her tongue to stop herself from giggling. All the Weasleys looked very similar to Molly Weasley when they were angry and for the past year, everyone had been very angry. Especially at the Headmaster.

“Did you know about this?” Sirius glared at Dumbledore. “Did you know Vol-Riddle had created Horcruxes?”

“I had my suspicions,” Dumbledore admitted carefully.

Everyone’s eyes narrowed.

“How long?” Sirius asked. His voice sounded so dark it made Tonks shiver.

“I believe we should discuss this later,” Dumbledore suggested. “These children have been through a harrowing experience-”

“How long, Albus?” Remus growled, his eyes glowing a bright amber.

As Dumbledore’s eyes flickered among everyone, Tonks did the same. Remus and Sirius were glaring, their teeth were gritted and their breathing was coming out in quick puffs. Honestly, if they were in their animal forms, Tonks would bet that they would be growling with their teeth bared and their ears sticking up. Madam Bones looked like she was trying to keep it together but from the way her hands were clenched, it looked like she was going to punch the old man right in the nose. Kingsley and Moody looked the same as Madam Bones. Madam Pomfrey, who had been staying close by to continue monitoring everyone, especially Harry, hadn’t said anything during the entire ordeal, but she looked close to taking Albus by his beard and shaking him. The kids were a mixture of confusion and anger. But Harry, Tonks’s heart broke for him. He looked furious, confused, scared and hurt. Finally, Dumbledore sighed. It was unsettling watching him suddenly age from the powerful man she had seen since her first year at Hogwarts into a weary old man.

“Since Halloween 1981,” he admitted. “After Harry survived thanks to Lily’s sacrifice, I had suspicions. But those suspicions were confirmed after the events involving Miss Weasley and the Chamber of Secrets in 1993.”

“So, you knew,” Moody growled. “All these years you knew about this information and you kept it from the Order? This entire time, we could have been searching for these monstrosities, figuring out how to destroy them and finally defeating Riddle like we were supposed to and you had us guarding that stupid prophecy! The one you refused to tell us what it was about!”

“What prophecy?” Madam Bones asked.

“There was a prophecy about me and Riddle,” Harry spoke up. “The Death Eaters were after it to give to Riddle. He only knew half of it and that’s why he wanted it. I’ve been seeing the Department of Mysteries through his eyes in my dreams throughout the year. And when Mister Weasley was attacked, I was experiencing it through his pet snake.”

“Where is the prophecy now?” Madam Bones asked urgently.

“It was destroyed during the battle in the Department of Mysteries,” Harry answered. “But I heard it.”

“What was it, Harry?” Remus asked urgently.

“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches,” Harry recited. “Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives.”

Tonks frowned. That’s what the Order had been guarding all year? But it made no sense. Power Voldemort knows not? What did that mean?

Dumbledore then heaved a sigh, making everyone look at him.

“I’m sorry, Harry,” he said forlornly. “I wished to keep this from you so you wouldn’t be burdened with this information. But you must be the one to defeat Voldemort, as the prophecy states.”

Tonks shook her head.

Today’s a happy day, she chanted mentally. Today’s a happy day.

“None of that,” she smiled, shifting her nose into a pig snout to make Ginny laugh. “Today’s a happy day.”

“Yep,” Ginny giggled, the red blotches on her cheeks fading. “Let’s….”

Suddenly, there was a pair of startled shrieks. Tonks turned, pulling out her wand to neutralise whatever threat had suddenly appeared. Except there was no threat. Just a bunch of Teddy’s plush toys dancing around the punchbowls while everyone gaped at the sight. Wait, Teddy’s plush toys were dancing around the punchbowl? Where did they come from?

Frowning, she approached her father, who was staring at the perplexing sight.

“Dad? What’s going on? What are Teddy’s toys doing here? Did you bring them? And who cast a spell on them to make them move?”

“No, they just appeared,” Ted shook his head. “They just came out of nowhere and started dancing around the bowls. And no one cast any spells as far as I’m aware.”

Molly immediately narrowed her eyes at the twins, who either didn’t notice or didn’t react. Frowning, Andromeda pulled out her wand and flicked it. However, instead of collapsing, they simply jumped onto the punchbowls, spilling the beverages inside. She winced.

“Bugger!” she swore before looking up. “What on earth?”

Tonks looked up and gaped. Fluttering towards them was a flock of birds… No, not birds. Banners.

***

Sirius:

Sirius was having the time of his life. He had never wanted to be a father. He was more than content to let the Black family bloodline die with him. But now, he wanted to slap his teenage self for even considering such an idea. He loved being a dad to Harry and Teddy, despite his original reluctance. Teddy was such a lovely baby. He was sweet and giggly and best of all, he was a part of Remus, which made Sirius love the little one all the more.

And Harry? Oh, don’t get him started on Harry. The boy really was his parents’ son. Brave, funny and Quidditch-obsessed like his father and as kind and thoughtful as his mother. And right now, Harry was living up to his parents' legacy of being kind and generous.

After Harry had given him and Remus the basket and string and told them to follow it, the two men and a giggling Teddy eagerly followed the sting down the corridors where random gifts were waiting for them. The first gift was the Great Hall where chopped fruit, fresh croissants and to-go coffee cups (Muggles were brilliant!) filled with hot chocolate were waiting for them. After eating a little, Remus wrapped some croissants in napkins and stored them in the basket. Then, after grabbing the cups, Remus and Sirius continued to follow the string to find the other gifts. And what fantastic gifts they were.

They found a sketchbook, a case of acrylic paint tubes and soft paintbrushes for Sirius and a pile of muggle fairy-tale and fantasy books with enchanted covers for Remus in the library; flower crowns made up of red and white roses similar to Harry’s and Teddy’s in Professor Flitwick’s classroom (which Sirius immediately placed on his and Remus’s head, much to the werewolf’s bemusement and Harry and Teddy’s delight); a darling mahogany cuckoo clock decorated with the Marauders’ animal forms in Professor McGonagall’s classroom and two silver pocket watches in the astronomy tower (Sirius’s was a full hunter with the Canis Major and Leo constellations stencilled on the lid while Remus’s was an open face that changed to show the moon’s current cycle). Now they were following the string up the enchanted stairs towards Gryffindor Tower.

“Harry, how many gifts are there?” Remus laughed, leaning against the banister to catch his breath.

“A few,” Harry admitted shyly before violently sneezing three times.

Sirius frowned. Harry had not stopped sneezing since they left their room for Harry’s treasure hunt. And come to think of it, Harry’s eyes were looking a little puffy and his nose and cheeks had taken on a rather unhealthy shade of red.

“Um, Harry, love,” he said gently. “Are you sure you’re…?”

“I’m fine,” Harry interrupted smoothly with a smile, pulling out his wand and muttering the cleaning spell Andromeda had taught him.

“Are you sure?” Remus asked apprehensively. “You haven’t stopped sneezing since we left our room. Are you sure you’re not getting a cold?”

“I’m fine, really,” Harry insisted, grabbing their hands and pulling them up the stairs. “Come on, this next present is the best one!”

“Harry,” Remus said, gently pulling his hand out of Harry’s grasp. “Sit down for me.”

Sirius watched Harry’s face fall as he took a seat. As he did, Remus gently lifted Teddy out of the carrier and handed him to Sirius before taking a seat beside Harry. Sirius smiled. Remus had this talent of getting people to open up to him.

“Cariad, what’s this about?” Remus asked. “All these presents, this scavenger hunt. Don’t misunderstand me; this is wonderful but why are you so anxious about this?”

Harry then started blinking fast. Sirius bit his lip. Lily used to do the same thing when they were younger so she wouldn’t cry in front of people. She had done it the day she had stopped being Snape’s friend after he called her a “Mudblood” and when she lost Marlene and Dorcas in the war.

“I want to make today a perfect day for you both,” Harry admitted. “It has to be perfect.”

Sirius gaped before sighing. He really was Lily Evans’s son.

“Fawn,” he said, kneeling in front of Harry while balancing Teddy on his knee. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. We’re having a great time, right Moons?”

“Absolutely,” Remus nodded.

Harry looked at them, looking worried. Sirius frowned before remembering what Euphemia Potter used to do to try and get him to talk about his feelings.

“Okay, why does today need to be perfect?”

“Because… because you guys have been through so much for fifteen years!” Harry cried. “The first war and losing all your friends and mum and dad and Azkaban and dementors and all those lonely full moons… you guys have gone through so much pain!”

Then he sighed. “You two mean everything to me. And after everything you’ve been through, you deserve a special day where you’re spoiled. So, I’m making today a perfect day for you; for both of you.”

Sirius blinked, sharing a look with Remus briefly before giving Harry a gentle kiss on the forehead while Remus kissed Harry’s temple. That’s all it was. Harry wanted to give them a special day and obviously, he had put in a lot of thought as evident with the string and the gifts that had been received so far. So, the least he and Remus could do was let Harry spoil them.

“Okay,” Sirius nodded, standing up. “Okay, where is this next present that’s gotten you so excited?”

Harry beamed as he rose to his feet.

“It’s at the top of the stairs,” he grinned. “Right outside the entrance to the tower.”

“Okay,” Sirius nodded as he and Remus stood up.

After placing Teddy back in the carrier, the two men followed Harry up the stairs. With each step, Sirius couldn’t help but wonder what the next gift was going to be. So far, each gift has been so thoughtful. He still couldn’t believe that Harry had gotten him paint and a sketchbook. He had always loved painting but after escaping Azkaban, being on the run for a couple of years and then being forced to live with his mother’s screaming portrait and Kreacher’s disdain for a year, he hadn’t even wanted to look a brush, let alone paint something.

And after Harry had died, came back to life, and told him about Voldemort’s attempt at immortality and what happened to Regulus, followed up by Dumbledore confirming that he had held suspicions about the existence of Voldemort’s Horcruxes, Sirius had been even less eager to touch a brush. But now, for the first time in years, Sirius felt that stirring he used to get when he was in school. The urge to draw, paint, and create something to look at and remember. He wondered what he would paint first. Maybe a family portrait.

Suddenly, he heard Remus gasp. He looked up. They reached the entrance of the Gryffindor Tower where the Fat Lady painting was sitting proudly. Next to her portrait was another painting of a living area with a fireplace holding a glowing fire.

In the painting was a warm living room with a bay window showing a gentle rainfall, further emphasising the cosiness of the living space. There were a couple of brown couches, decorated with red and orange throw pillows and knitted blankets surrounding the hearth. A mahogany tea table stood on a fuzzy, maroon rug in the middle. In the background were floor-to-ceiling bookcases filled with books, puzzles, board games and arts and crafts items. And each between each case was a lamp with bell-shaped shades attached to the walls. The entire painting looked warm and inviting. But what made it even more beautiful was who was in the painting.

James was lying on one of the couches, his head in Lily’s lap as he watched a snitch hover lazily in the air. Lily was reading a book, absentmindedly playing with James’s curls while Mary McDonald sat perched on the back of the couch, braiding Lily’s auburn locks. Marlene McKinnon and Dorcas Meadowes were on the floor with a board game sitting on the tea table. And on the other couch sat Regulus and Luna’s mother; Pandora Lovegood, who had been Regulus’s friend throughout school. Regulus was reading a book while Pandora was drawing.

“Oh,” Sirius choked, his hand covering his mouth.

Suddenly, everyone looked up in the painting and beamed. The girls blew kisses while James winked and Regulus waved.

“Oh Harry,” Sirius wept, lightly touching the picture.

“Harry, how did you…?” Remus’s voice cracked as he tried to hold in his tears so he wouldn’t upset Teddy.

“I had some help,” Harry admitted. “Luna’s dad told me that Luna’s mum was Regulus’s best friend and Professor McGonagall told me that Mary, Marlene, and Dorcas were mum’s best friends in school. I’m sorry I couldn’t get them to talk but- oof!”

Sirius quickly turned before pulling Harry into a tight hug.

“It’s perfect!” he whispered, kissing Harry’s crown. “Thank you so much, love.”

“Diolch, annwyl,” Remus joined in the hug, being careful not to squish Teddy. “It’s beautiful.”

Sirius smiled as Harry returned the hug, practically melting against him and Remus. He held in a sigh. Harry was so touch-starved.

“I’m glad you two like it,” he mumbled into Sirius’s shirt before taking a step back, a cheeky grin on his face. “Just a minute.”

“How come?” Remus asked, wiping his eyes.

“Frogspawn,” Harry told the Fat Lady, who nodded and allowed her portrait to swing open. “We need to go into Hogsmeade to get the rest of your gifts.”

“There’s more?” Sirius laughed in bemusement.

“Yep,” Harry grinned, walking into the entrance.

After a few minutes, Harry walked out, carrying three Cleansweep broomsticks and accompanied by Dobby, who was wearing a green Weasley jumper, a pair of fuzzy red slippers and a red tea cosy on his head. Sirius bit his lip to prevent himself from laughing. The elf looked like an ugly Christmas doll.

“Dobby, will you take this portrait to our room and place it somewhere nice please?” Harry requested.

“Dobby will be happy to take Mister Harry Potter’s lovely present to his room,” Dobby nodded before taking the painting and disappearing with a sharp crack.

“What’s with the brooms?” Sirius asked curiously as Remus hummed to Teddy, who had started whimpering due to Dobby’s loud and sudden disappearance.

“Well, I was thinking maybe we could go to Hogsmeade Marauder-style?” Harry asked tentatively.

Sirius gaped at Harry, feeling excitement fill his veins. He gazed at Remus, who looked a little torn.

“Oh, Harry, I don’t know,” he gestured down at Teddy, who had fallen asleep thanks to Remus’s soothing tones.

“Come on, Moons,” Sirius smiled, taking one of the brooms and positioning himself on it. “Hop on behind me, one arm around my waist and wrap the other around Teddy Bear. We’ll be fine.”

Remus bit his lip, still looking unsure. Then Harry sneezed a couple of times. Sirius frowned. This sneezing was starting to worry him, and from the look on Remus’s face; it was worrying him too.

“Excuse me. Sorry,” Harry winced, pulling out his wand and muttering the cleaning charm before slipping it back into the holster. “Anyway, they’re old brooms so they won’t go very fast. And I even asked Professor Flitwick to cast a charm on them to prevent them from going fast, as an extra precaution. But if you’re uncomfortable, we can just take the passageway to Honeydukes.”

“I won’t let anything happen to you or Mini Moony, Clair du Lune,” Sirius promised.

Remus licked his lips. “How fast will they go?”

Harry quickly got onto his broom, leaving the third one leaning against the stone wall by the Fat Lady’s frame. He hovered for a bit before gracefully gliding into the air. The broom held steady in the air as Harry flew in a couple of small circles at a simple pace.

“Is this okay?” he asked hopefully.

Sirius could hear his younger, more reckless self complain in his head that butterflies could outstrip the speed Harry was going but he quickly shut it up. He had a baby to help look after now. When he was older, they could look at faster brooms but for now, this was perfect. And from the heavy, relieved sigh that left Remus’s lips, it sounded like he thought so too.

“Okay,” Remus nodded. “There enough room for me, Pads?”

Sirius couldn’t stop the grin from growing on his face as he watched Remus position himself behind him over his shoulder.

“Ready?” he asked as he felt Remus and the baby carrier against his back while an arm wrapped around his stomach.

“Please be careful,” Remus requested.

“Promise,” Sirius nodded as he gently pushed his feet against the ground.

The broom steadily rose into the air until they were at the same height as Harry. Harry then grinned before leading the way down the staircases. As Sirius flew after him, he started to giggle, feeling like a child again. And from the vibrations he was feeling on his back, it sounded like Remus was giggling too. But the giggles vanished when Harry started sneezing so violently that his broomstick shook.

Chapter Text

Albus:

Albus Dumbledore wandered along the corridor to get some fresh air. The school was quiet, which was usual for the summer holidays, but it was a different quiet. A lonely quiet. In fact, everything had been in a state of isolated silence for Albus since last year.

There was silence; horrified silence. And then yelling. A lot of yelling. Rather inconvenient at the moment but that’s how this works. First, there would be denial, followed by anger and bargaining. And then there will be acceptance because it was the right thing to do, followed by sadness and more bargaining before acceptance again. All Albus had to do was wait. Wait until everyone had yelled themselves hoarse, which would allow him to say his piece. And his piece would be;

Yes, he knew that Voldemort had created Horcruxes in hopes of achieving immortality. Yes, he knew that he had unintentionally turned Harry into a Horcrux. And yes, Albus had spent many years since that night at Godric Hallows making the best plan possible so that one day, Harry to face Voldemort and willingly die, which would kill the Horcrux and in the end render Voldemort mortal again.

But everyone had to understand that there was no other way. The prophecy clearly states that Harry and Voldemort need to face each other for Voldemort to be truly defeated. And it’s not like Albus didn’t try to find Horcruxes. He had no idea what they looked like, how many Voldemort had made before Halloween 1981 or if he made any afterwards. He didn’t know where to start looking. Plus, he had a school to run, plans to make, and positions at the Ministry to handle. He was a busy man.

And it’s not like he wanted all this to happen. He loved Harry. He was the bravest, kindest boy Albus had the pleasure of knowing. He was brave like his father and kind like his mother. And Albus had done everything he could to make sure that Harry had a happy innocent childhood that was free from the darkness of war and then he would prepare him for everything. He honestly thought he had more time but then Harry started getting visions, which put him at risk of making dangerous decisions. Honestly, it was lucky that the Order had gotten to Arthur Weasley in time. So, Albus did the one thing he thought was right; ask Severus Snape to teach Harry Occlumency so Harry wouldn’t be put into situations like the one he had just experienced.

Unfortunately, because the man refused to put aside his disdain for James to help Lily’s child and was hostile during his lessons, Severus and Harry came out hating each other even more and Harry became vulnerable to Voldemort, which resulted in everything that had happened.

But it didn’t matter because Albus was nothing if not a good strategist. He had made plans upon plans and now, even though those plans had gone out the window thanks to the events at the Department of Mysteries, it was going to be alright. They could still win the war. They could still beat Voldemort, now more than ever. Why? Because there were only five Horcruxes left, and it appears that Harry knew what they were and where they were located. So, all he had to do was get the information from Harry and then plan a course of action. Delegate the remaining order to find the remaining Horcruxes and bring them to him so they can be destroyed. Of course, Remus will have to go back to the werewolves to convince them not to join Voldemort’s side, and Sirius will have to go back to Grimmauld just for his safety, even if Amelia Bones was planning on releasing a notice to the public informing every wix of his innocence and Harry will have to go back to the Dursleys.

 The entire situation might seem unfair, but it was for the greater good and once he’s convinced everyone of that, although Sirius and by the looks of it, Remus will take some convincing, then everything will fall into place.

“Everyone, please!” Madam Pomfrey raised her voice. “This is a place of healing! I must ask you all to calm down!”

“Calm down?!” Sirius shrieked. “Did you not hear what the old man said?!”

“Yes, I did,” she growled. “And trust me, I am furious. However, I am a healer first and the people in my ward are my responsibility. So, while you are in here, you will calm down.”

“He just said that Harry has to die to defeat that monster!” Ginny cried.

“No, I don’t.” Harry shook his head.

Everyone paused and looked at him. Albus frowned. No, Harry had to defeat Voldemort, as the prophecy states.

“Harry?” Remus asked.

“I don’t have to do anything,” Harry said simply. “I don’t have to defeat him. Not anymore.”

“Harry, the prophecy clearly says that-,” Albus started to say.

“The prophecy became void when Bellatrix hit me with the Killing Curse and sent me and Riddle’s soul into the in-between,” Harry interrupted.

“What do you mean, Harry?” Tonks asked.

“Dad said that when I saved Sirius from Bellatrix’s Killing Curse by stepping in front of it, I broke the contract of the prophecy,” Harry recounted. “Because the curse destroyed the soul piece in me.”

“Then why aren’t you still dead?” Kingsley asked.

“Because Regulus told me that the soul piece would be stuck forever in the in-between due to the damage from being continuously split,” Harry explained. “But I was free so I could choose. Either come back or move on with Mum and Dad to the afterlife.”

Tears started rolling down Harry’s cheeks. “I chose to come back.”

Albus couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride rush through him. Harry had chosen right over easy again. But at the same time, this wasn’t good. Even if the Horcrux in Harry had been destroyed, Harry still had to face him, as the prophecy stated. Maybe, if Harry destroys the other Horcruxes and then faces Voldemort, then the prophecy would still be fulfilled.

“Why?” Neville asked. “Why would you come back? You were with your parents.”

“Because I had the answer. You all didn’t. What if Riddle killed you? What if he destroyed everything? I couldn’t leave my friends,” Harry sniffed before looking at Remus and Sirius. “And I couldn't leave you two. I’m all you have left of Mum and Dad.”

Remus opened his mouth, about to say something when he looked over at Albus with a frown. He then looked at Sirius, who nodded. Albus felt a twinge of temptation to peek inside their minds, but experience had taught him otherwise. Now, due to his stint in Azkaban, Sirius had taken to loudly singing terrible muggle songs that consisted of smashing cymbals and loud guitars in his head, which hurt Albus’s head. And he wouldn’t take a risk with Remus due to his lycanthropic side having a habit of snarling and snapping at intruders.

“We’ll talk properly later, just the three of us,” Sirius said, wiping Harry’s tears. “But in the meantime, we are so happy that you’re okay.”

“Thank you,” Harry wept. “I’m glad you’re all okay too.”

“I am truly sorry this has happened to you, Mister Potter,” Madam Bones said earnestly. “Thank you for sharing this information with me.”

“What do we do now?” Tonks asked.

Yes, this was his chance. And just in time too. He needs to take control of this and quickly.

“First, everyone rests,” Madam Pomfrey said sternly. “You have all been through something traumatic and are lucky to come out of it alive, especially you, Mister Potter. So, everyone who has been injured will stay here and recover, including you, Miss Tonks. I’m also going to contact your families, and let them know what happened.”

“And while you all do that, Auror Shacklebolt, Mister Moody and I will go to the Ministry and start delivering announcements about Riddle’s return and Sirius’s innocence,” Madam Bones nodded.

“Madam Bones, if you’re making an announcement, it might be best to omit Potter’s current state,” Moody added. “After all, we have been given a tremendous advantage in this situation, which will allow us to catch Riddle and the remaining Death Eaters who escaped off-guard.”

“Alastor, I don’t believe that is necessary,” Albus tried to say.

“Albus, as your oldest friend, I say this with the greatest respect,” Moody smiled sharply. “Shut up. Madam Bones?”

Madam Bones went quiet as she thought about it before nodding.

“After what I witnessed in the Department of Mysteries and what I have witnessed tonight, yes, I do believe that is a sensible idea. As far as the Wizarding World knows, Harry Potter died bravely defending his godfather and his friends in the Department of Mysteries from Bellatrix Lestrange. May I trust that everyone will keep the secret?”

“Yes, we’ll keep the secret,” the children chimed.

“And I will inform the families members, so they don’t say anything to anyone,” Madam Pomfrey added.

“Thank you, Madam Pomfrey. Now, does Mister Potter have a safe place to live?” Madam Bones asked.

“Yes,” Albus said. “He is safe with-.”

“Me,” Remus spoke up. “My father has a cottage in Wales. It’s isolated, far away from any wizarding community. Even the closest Muggle town is about an hour away. I’ll send a message to him and take both Harry and Sirius there when Poppy allows it. We’ll be safe there.”

Albus frowned. “Remus, you are being unreasonable. Harry has a perfectly lovely home with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Plus, with the blood wards in place thanks to Lily’s sacrifice, he will be safe from Voldemort. I’ll even set Mundungus to stand guard.”

“You put that thieving git anywhere near my godson and I will hex you so hard even Poppy won’t be able to heal you!” Sirius snarled. “Harry is coming with me and Remus to Wales and that’s final!”

“Sirius, you’re also being-,” Albus started to say.

“Enough!” Harry yelled. “I’m not going back to the Dursleys! I’m staying with my godfathers!”

Albus looked at Harry. His face was red, and tears were rolling down his cheeks as he glared at him.

“Harry, I don’t think you understand how important it is that you go back to your aunt’s house,” he smiled genially. “So, if you just listen to me-.”

“No, you listen!” Harry yelled. “Everything that has happened is all your fault!”

Albus froze. “Harry….”

“You abandoned me!” Harry screamed. “I needed you and you abandoned me! You left me alone with the Dursleys all summer after Cedric died! You didn’t even ask if I was okay after what he and Pettigrew did to me in the graveyard! You prevented my friends from talking to me properly! You refused to talk to me throughout the entire year! You put me in a situation with Snape where he forced himself into my mind and tore apart my memories, making me relive so many painful moments in my life! You refused to tell me what was going on in my head, resulting in me getting tricked and putting everyone I cared about in danger! My friends could have died! Sirius almost died! And on top of that, you knew! All these years, you knew the answer and instead of doing something, you were going to use me as a sacrifice against Riddle! How could you?!”

Harry then coughed a few times before taking a couple of breaths. After he finished, Sirius helped him drink some water while Remus rubbed circles on Harry’s back. Harry sniffed.

“I respected you,” he croaked. “I loved you. And all this time, I’ve been nothing but a sacrificial lamb to you. Why? Did I really mean that little to you? Did my parents? My friends? The Order? Was winning this war so important that you put all of us into situations where we all lost someone we loved?”

Remorse filled Albus. He hadn’t meant for all of this to happen. But they were in a war fighting against someone who wanted to destroy everything. And yes, it was tragic that so many people were killed, but sacrifices had to be made. People had to die for a better future.

“Harry-,” he started to say but Remus held up his hand.

“Albus, I think you should leave.”

Albus gaped at the werewolf. “I beg your pardon?”

“You need to leave now,” Remus slowly stood up before walking towards him, his voice low and dangerous. “I have been loyal to you since I was seventeen because you allowed me to come here. I have done everything you asked and what has happened? Nearly all my friends are dead because one of my best friends turned traitor, my remaining best friend ending up in hell for twelve years and then on the run for two before being forced to stay in that hellhole you made into Headquarters for nearly a year, and I missed out on my cub growing up. And all along, you have been planning to turn him into a martyr because of a stupid prophecy. So, you need to leave before I lose my temper.”

Albus gaped at the werewolf. Surely, he wasn’t…

“Remus-,” he started to say.

“Albus,” Sirius spoke up, his voice stiff. “Leave. The only thing that’s stopping me from blasting you through the wall right now is the fact that these kids have been through enough and my godson needs me. So, leave.”

“Sirius-.”

“Headmaster, you have been asked to leave twice now,” Madam Pomfrey spoke up, crossing her arms. “If you don’t leave, I’ll have Alastor remove you.”

Albus looked at the healer and then at everyone else, who were all looking at him with contempt. He sighed.

“Very well,” he nodded. “I will give you all space for now. However, now that Voldemort’s return has been confirmed, plans will need to be made.”

“Plans will be made,” Madam Bones said sternly. “After I have informed the public of everything.”

Albus closed his eyes as he remembered everything that had happened after he left the Hospital Wing. Within two weeks, every plan and backup plan he had come up with the fulfil the prophecy for Voldemort’s defeat had gone out the window because Madam Bones, like the Hufflepuff she was, stuck to her word.

Within twenty-four hours, the entire wizarding community knew of Voldemort’s return, Sirius’s innocence and how Harry saved Sirius by throwing himself in front of Bellatrix Lestrange’s Killing Curse and within three days, everything changed. The entire Britain wizarding community was filled with anger, fear, and grief over the news, which resulted in Fudge being forced into a shameful retirement from the Ministry and Madam Bones being elected the new Minister.

After she was sworn in, Madam Bones immediately sentenced the Death Eaters that had been captured in the Department of Mysteries to a hidden warded section in the Ministry that was guarded by Unspeakables while Voldemort was still at large. If any escaped Death Eaters or Voldemort himself attempted to free them, they were to be arrested or killed on sight. She then moved the remaining prisoners from Azkaban to the warded section to prevent any more breakouts and asked the Unspeakables to put special wards around Azkaban to prevent the Dementors from leaving the island and hurting innocent people. She also sentenced Madam Undersecretary Umbridge to prison for endangering the students of Hogwarts by forcing them to mutilate themselves with a dark arts object and threatening a student with one of the Unforgivables after a discussion with the children.

While that was happening, Alastor had personally escorted Harry, Sirius, Remus, Tonks, and her parents; Andromeda and Ted to Wales where Lyall Lupin was living and placed the house under the Fidelius Charm with himself as the Secret Keeper, without Albus’s knowledge. And it probably would have stayed that way if Lyall hadn’t sent Albus a Howler, stating how furious he was that he had used his son, his friends and a child as soldiers and weapons for his war and that it was lucky that Hope wasn’t still alive because if she was, she would have torn him to pieces. Then that was followed with Howlers from Andromeda, Ted, and Molly Weasley. He didn’t know which was the worst one to experience, Molly’s explosive screaming or Andromeda and Ted’s combined temper.

But thankfully, before the group went into hiding, Harry had informed both Alastor and Madam Bones about the items, their locations and how he destroyed the diary in his second year using a fang from the basilisk he killed with the Sword of Gryffindor in his second year. This meant that the Order had the locations and a weapon to destroy them, thanks to the sword being made of goblin silver that absorbed the basilisk venom, thus making it a powerful weapon.

But unfortunately for Albus, the information came with some ground rules. First off, Alastor took over the leadership of the Order because he didn’t trust Albus not to make reckless decisions for the “greater good”. They were also to report everything to Madam Bones, who had taken refuge in the castle, thanks to the massive target on her back being the new Minister of Magic. Finally, only certain people were allowed to partake in the Horcrux Hunt as Alastor called it. That meant that Severus was not allowed to participate, much to Albus’s chagrin.

After some careful planning, all the Horcruxes bar Nagini were found within two days. Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour had informed the goblins about Helga Hufflepuff’s cup in Bellatrix Lestrange’s vault, who eagerly gave it to them for a delicately haggled price of some antique goblin-made silver goblets that belonged to the Noble and Ancient House of Black with Sirius’s permission. Kingsley and Emmeline Vance, being former Ravenclaws, spoke to the Grey Lady with a little help from Luna to get the description of Rowena Ravenclaw’s diadem so they could locate it in the Room of Requirement. And Albus and Alastor apparated to Little Hangleton where they located the Gaunt Shack; a pitiful, decrepit hovel filled with many curses to protect the ring. This one had frustrated Alastor because he was forced to hex Albus when the ring bewitched him to try slipping the ring on his finger. The next day, all of them were destroyed.

After that, a new plan was made. Madam Bones made Snape tell her about Voldemort’s whereabouts while Alastor left to let Remus, Sirius, Tonks, and Harry know about their results before informing them that they were going to rid the world of Voldemort once and for all. And they did. Nagini was destroyed, the remaining Death Eaters were arrested, including Peter Pettigrew, and Voldemort was sentenced to the Veil for his crimes; his screams echoed in the chambers as the Unspeakables pushed him in. But, despite their best efforts, it wasn’t without loss. Bill and Fleur were struck with severe curses, forcing them to stay in St. Mungo’s for many days and Alastor died as a result of taking on Nagini.

After Voldemort’s execution, Madam Bones held a large press conference, where she showed the memory of the execution to the public before telling the entire British Wizarding Community everything. The truth about Voldemort’s origins and his deceptive hypocrisy; how Voldemort was able to return thanks to the Horcruxes he created; Regulus Black’s sacrifice to defeat him; the Horcrux that was accidentally created and stowed in Harry the night Lily Potter tried to protect him; how there was a self-fulling prophecy that Voldemort wholeheartedly believed in, which resulted in his downfall twice; how Harry had come back to life due to the complications of magic and Horcruxes; why they hid Harry away for his protection; and how the Order of the Phoenix had been working in the shadows all year in an attempt to defeat Voldemort and protect the Wizard World.

She then ended the conference by saying that Harry Potter had been unwillingly thrown into one dangerous situation after another while being pressured by the public eye since he was eleven and deserved rest and privacy, so he was to be left alone, along with his friends and remaining family, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin. She also took away Pettigrew’s Order of Merlin and rewarded First Class Order of Merlin medals to all the Order of the Phoenix members for their work in Voldemort’s defeat and to Regulus Black for his selfless sacrifice in providing the answer to Voldemort’s downfall.

After that, everything at Hogwarts changed. The new school year of 1996 was an entire educational reset. There were new classes (some were old classes that had been previously removed from the system due to the belief that they were no longer needed), new teachers, extra clubs, study groups and updated lesson plans. Severus Snape had left, and Andromeda Tonks replaced him as the new Potions teacher and Head of Slytherin. Ted Tonks took over for Muggle studies; Remus became the new DADA teacher and Head of Gryffindor; his father Lyall came in to replace Binns as the new History teacher; and Sirius became what the muggles called a teacher’s aide to all the teachers whenever they needed help, mostly Minerva due to her duties as Deputy Headmistress and Remus when he was out of commission due to the full moon. Even Filch was removed.

Everything was better now. The war was over; Voldemort was defeated; light prevailed; and Hogwarts was becoming the best wizarding school. And little by little, house unity was slowly building. It was a wonderful change and Albus liked this new change. The things he had witnessed and heard throughout the new year brought a sense of joy to him. And yet, he was filled with sorrow because he was lonely. All year, people had barely spoken to him. The staff would only discuss school matters during meetings and completely avoid him most of the time. Remus and Sirius had not spoken to him at all since they returned to teach. And Harry… Harry had only said one sentence to him since he left Hogwarts after the event at the Department of Mysteries and that was at Alastor’s funeral.

“I don’t want to speak to you.”  

After that, he had gone to his brother, Aberforth, to talk to him about everything. The man simply looked at him before sighing, pulling out a bottle and pouring a glass of firewhiskey.

“You brought this on yourself, Albus; and do you know why? It’s because you’ve always had large ambitions driven by naïve beliefs and your own sheer stubbornness, selfishness, and arrogance on how things are supposed to be without caring who you hurt to achieve them. You did it with Grindelwald and what happened? We lost our sister. And now, you’ve done it again, this time with an orphan who looked up to you. Have you even apologised to the boy? Or his godfathers? Or his friends?”

Albus sighed again. Maybe Aberforth was right. Maybe he had been too set in his beliefs on how Voldemort was supposed to be defeated that he had forgotten how many people had gotten hurt to achieve that goal. He should apologise to Harry for what he did. To Sirius for leaving him to rot in two different types of prison. To Remus for using him and abandoning him multiple times. To Harry’s friends for not being the headmaster they needed. To the Order for putting them in dangerous situations with no means to protect themselves. And he should apologise to Aberforth too; for not being a good brother, for not protecting him and Ariana and for his role in Ariana’s death.

“FRED AND GEORGE WEASLEY! IS THIS YOUR DOING?!”

Albus broke out of his thoughts at the sudden yell beside him. It sounded like Molly Weasley. He looked around. Somehow, during his wandering, he had made his way to the cloister that surrounded the courtyard. But her yell didn’t echo, which meant that Molly was outside. Curious, he peered through one of the windows to pinpoint where he heard Molly.

He eventually spotted her over by the giant oak tree that had stood in the courtyard for as long as he could remember. And she wasn’t alone. It looked like all the Weasleys were there, along with Minerva, the Tonks, Neville Longbottom, Hermione Granger, and Luna Lovegood. But what were they all doing there? School had only recently finished so they would have gone home unless they were there to see Harry. But it didn’t look like he was with the group. And come to think of it, the group looked quite perplexed about something. Frowning, he made his way to the closest door that led outside.

As he approached the group, he saw that the area under the oak was done up like a type of party. And it looked magnificent. There were tables decorated in ruby red cloths, sparkling gold tableware and lovely yet peculiar-looking flowers. The tables also held all types of delicious food and drink. A creative banner hung from the tree branches, along with some odd decorations and there were strangely decorated blankets and curious-looking chairs set up as well. But what made the set-up abnormal were all the odd things that were happening. Baby toys were dancing around on top of one of the tables; library books and banners from the Great Hall were fluttering overhead like a flock of birds; quills and inkpots were drawing different pictures on any of the surfaces they could touch; and telescopes were bouncing around on another table.

“What is going on?!” Minerva cried before shrieking.

Albus’s eyes widened as different paintings suddenly appeared, walking along the grass. The paintings were yelling in alarm, wondering what was happening. Albus blinked. What was happening?

Lyall:

After landing in Hogsmeade with a crack, Lyall Lupin rolled his head a few times to help his sore neck. He should have used a floo or something. He was getting too old to apparate. He then checked his watch. Quarter past eleven. Fantastic. He had arrived with plenty of time to spare. That meant he could take a leisurely walk through Hogsmeade up to the school, and maybe peek into a couple of stores on the way. On second thought, maybe not. If he went into the bookstore, he might not come out and end up missing the party. Better to just move through.

As he made his way along the path towards the school, he thought back to the day Moody had shown up at his doorstep with his son, Sirius Black, and Harry Potter. It was the greatest day of his life. Well, not the greatest. That day belonged to when he met Hope. And when they got married. And when she told him she was pregnant with Remus. And when she gave birth to him. Oh, it didn’t matter, either way, it was a day that Lyall would forever cherish.

Granted, how it came to be wasn’t exactly positive. Alastor had brought Remus, Sirius, and Harry to him physically, emotionally, and mentally broken before telling him that they and the Tonks family needed to be housed with him for their protection until Voldemort and his remaining Death Eaters were stopped. But Lyall didn’t care. Hope had always told him that no matter the hardships, something good always came through in the end. At first, he thought it was a pointless belief she had to help her deal with the fact that her son would tear himself apart monthly with his lycanthrope transformations but looking back, he could see why she clung to her faith like a lifeline. Because finally, something good did happen.

First, he got his son back in his life, who had gotten his best friend (and secret crush as he bashfully admitted to him and Hope when he was a teenager) and cub (with whom he hadn’t been able to have a relationship with for a long time due to a variety of unfortunate reasons) back. Then he learnt that he was going to have a grandchild (again due to unfortunate reasons). Then Minerva McGonagall came around to inform them that Voldemort had been defeated (although Alastor had died from severe injuries) and that they were redoing the Hogwarts curriculum under the new Minister of Magic’s order and wanted him, Remus, and Sirius as teachers for the school. Life for the first time in so long was content. Not perfect (too many broken parts and scars) but content.

“Achoo!”

Lyall was startled out of his thoughts at the sudden sneeze. He looked around before spotting Remus, Sirius, and Harry outside Honeydukes’. They were wearing embroidered cloaks and had flower crowns made of roses on their heads. Harry was eagerly holding two wrapped bundles almost as big as a toddler in his arms while Remus and Sirius looked bemused. It also looked like Remus was carrying Teddy as well. Lyall smiled before walking up to them, catching the end of their conversation.

“-put these together for — achoo! — you both! Achoo! The owners remembered your — achoo! — favourites!”

“Harry, this is lovely but you’re worrying us,” Sirius said, taking the bundles and shrinking them with his wand before putting them in the weaved basket that was hanging over his arm.

“What do you — achoo! — mean?” Harry asked, pulling out his wand and muttering something.

“He means you sound like you’ve inhaled the sneezing powder Remus once used on your father when he and Sirius came over to our house for April Fool’s Day when they were seventeen,” Lyall said, catching their attention. “Hello, boys.”

“Lyall!” Harry cried joyfully before hugging him. “I was getting worried!”

“Tad! Hi!” Remus said in surprise. “What are you doing here in Hogsmeade?”

“Just arrived after doing a temporary job but I’m heading up to the school now,” Lyall smiled, holding Harry with one arm while giving Remus and Sirius a quick hug with the other. “Sorry for worrying you, Harry. The job came out of nowhere.”

“It’s okay. I’m just glad you’re here,” Harry grinned, stepping away.

“Why are you heading to the school?” Sirius asked curiously.

“You’ll find out soon,” Lyall chuckled before looking at Remus. “May I hold my grandson or is he sleeping?”

“You may hold him, although he might wake up soon. He’s due for a feed,” Remus warned, carefully taking off the carrier before strapping it onto Lyall. “I should probably send a message to Tonks.”

“No need for that, I’m meeting up with her soon, so I’ll take him to her,” Lyall informed them, grinning down at the snoozing baby, whose hair changed with each exhale.

“Really? Why?” Sirius asked curiously.

“Again, you’ll find out soon,” Lyall repeated, stroking one of Teddy’s arms. “I like your flower crowns, by the way.”

“Oh! That reminds me,” Harry cried, pulling out his wand. “Sirius, may I borrow your crown, please?”

“Sure love,” Sirius nodded, pulling off his crown and handing it to Harry.

Lyall looked at them, curious as to why Sirius had white roses while Remus and Teddy had red, and Harry had both.

“How come your crowns are different coloured roses?” he asked.

“Luna — achoo! Sorry, Luna made them,” Harry explained. “Red for living fathers, ah— achoo! Ugh, white for those who’ve passed on.”

Lyall frowned. Something was wrong. Harry looked exhausted. His nose and cheeks were flushed, his eyes were drooping a bit and he was panting a little.

“Harry—,” Sirius started to say.

“I’m fine! Achoo!” Harry shook his head before looking at the crown. “Gemino!”

There was a sharp pop as a copy of the flower crown was made. Teddy grumbled, annoyed at the sudden noise, but quickly calmed down as Remus rubbed circles on the back of his neck with a finger.

“Ha! Yes!” Harry cheered before wincing as Teddy grumbled again. “I’m sorry. Happy Father’s Day, Lyall.”

Lyall chuckled. When Harry had told him that he was planning this party, he asked if he would like some gifts too. Lyall hugged him and said that Father’s Day was a muggle holiday so there was no need, especially since they had only just started a relationship. But it was still a kind thought so he took the crown and placed it on his head.

“Diolch, cariad. Are you alright? It sounds like you’ve got a cold.”

“I’m fine, really,” Harry insisted, casting a cleaning charm on himself before grabbing Remus and Sirius’s hands.

“Cariad, you’re not fine,” Remus said as he and Sirius were led to a nearby stand selling snow globes. “I think it’s time we go back to the castle so you can rest.”

“No, no, no!” Harry shook his head before holding out two different snow globes, one with a proud hippogriff preening itself and the other with a Welsh Green dragon. “There’s more gifts for you both.”

“Harry, we should go back,” Sirius tried to encourage as he took the globes and put them in his basket. “You need medicine.”

“No, I don’t!” Harry shook his head again before sneezing again.

Sirius and Remus winced at the sudden liquid coming from Harry’s nose while Lyall pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Harry.

“I’m so sorry,” Harry said in an embarrassed tone as he cleaned himself up before pocketing the handkerchief.

“It’s alright, love,” Sirius smiled. “Now will you let us take you back to the castle?”

“No, there’s still more gifts,” Harry said. “They’re this way.”

As Harry walked in the direction of Zonko’s, Lyall looked at Sirius and Remus.

“I think you two have forgotten who his parents were,” he chuckled.

“If you mean James “I’ll win the Quidditch Cup while I have the flu” Potter and Lily “I must complete this assignment even though I just fainted” Evans, then yes,” Remus sighed. “Yes, we forgot how much he is like his mother and father.”

Lyall chuckled again. “Well, when he does admit it and lets you bring him back to the castle, make sure you walk through the courtyard by the oak tree to get back inside. Tonks and I will be there with Teddy.”

“Why the oak tree?” Sirius asked curiously.

“Provides good shade,” Lyall shrugged. “I’ll see you later and don’t worry. Teddy is in good hands.”

Despite the unsure looks on their faces, the two men nodded before heading off to Zonko’s where Harry was waiting, swaying a little. Lyall smiled before turning to take the path back to the castle, humming the song Hope used to sing to Remus when he was little.

The walk was tranquil, the only sounds that could be heard were the birds and Teddy’s snores, much to the man’s amusement. In the moment of quiet, Lyall studied his grandson. He looked so much like Remus, aside from the heart-shaped face and metamorphous abilities he had inherited from his mother. Lyall sighed, wishing again that Hope was by his side.

“I wish you could have met your grandmother, little one,” he murmured. “She was the sweetest woman ever. She would have taught you the same things she taught your father. Baking, reading, joking. That’s where Remus gets his cheekiness from; your grandmother, although I did know how to pull a joke or two. Once, I snuck some frogs into your father’s sheets. The squeals he made. Of course, he got me back with a muggle joke with his mother’s help. They placed this kind of pillow on my reading chair that made the rudest noise you ever heard when you squeezed it. They were rolling on the floor laughing when I sat on it. And another time—.”

“Immobulus!”

Lyall jumped at the sudden yell, making Teddy wake up and start crying. Gently trying to calm the baby, Lyall looked up and gaped at the scene before him. Library books and banners flying in circles, baby toys and telescopes dancing on tables, picture frames lying on the grass and a group of confused adults and teenagers trying to get everything under control.

“What is going on?” Lyall called as he approached the group, rubbing Teddy’s back through the carrier to calm the child.

“Lyall! Hi! Oh, Teddy!” Tonks cried, jogging over to take Teddy out of the carrier. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

“He just got startled awake,” Lyall reassured her as he summoned one of the camping chairs resting against the oak. “And he’s probably hungry. What’s happened here?”

“We don’t know,” Tonks shook her head, sitting in the summoned chair to feed Teddy. “Everything just appeared, and we can’t get it under control.”

“Although it looks like the freezing charm works,” Minerva stated. “Hello, Lyall.”

“Minerva,” Lyall nodded. “Hello everyone. How can I help?”

“Arthur, the kids and I have got the paintings under control,” Ted called as Arthur and the kids started picking up the fallen portraits. “How’s your aim?”

“Decent enough.”

“You think you can catch the ink pots and quills while Molly and I handle the telescopes and toys?” Andromeda asked. “Albus and Minerva are taking care of the books and banners.”

“Happy to.”

Chapter Text

Remus:

After leaving Zonko’s (getting two baskets full of pranking items from both Zonko’s and Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes, much to his and Sirius’s delight), Remus watched in concern as Harry walked a few feet ahead of him and Sirius along the path he knew lead to the Shrieking Shack. His face was flushed and shiny with sweat, he was rubbing his upper arms as he occasionally shivered, and he was swaying with each step he took.

“Come on!” Harry beckoned drunkenly. “Now we climb!”

“Harry, love, please,” Sirius pleaded, wincing from the weight of the many shrunken gifts in the basket. “This is too much for you.”

“Sirius is right, cariad,” Remus said, taking the basket to give Sirius’s arms a break. “You need to rest. Come on, let us take you back to the castle.”

“B-but there’s s-still another p-present for you t-two,” Harry said through chattering teeth before yawning. “And it’s the most… important present. It’s at the…achoo! Achoo! Shrieking… achoo! Shrieking Shack!”

He then shook his head as if to clear it before continuing up the path towards the shack Remus spent his Hogwarts years transforming in. As he walked, he kept spinning in circles while waving his arms wildly, alternating between beckoning Remus and Sirius and gesturing to his surroundings. Then, when he reached the fence that surrounded the shack, he hung off the fence with his hands, leaning back on an angle with droopy eyes and a big grin on his face.

“Come on!” Harry called, rocking from side to side with his head tipped back so he could look at them. “Follow me! Like follow the leader! Following the leader; the leader; the leader; we’re following the leader wherever he may go!”

Remus frowned. It sounded like Harry was starting to become delirious. He looked at Sirius, who was frowning as well.

“Sirius, I think he’s delirious,” Remus told him.

Sirius’s eyes widened. “Harry?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Harry giggled, swinging to and fro a few more times before turning while pulling out his wand. “Guess what? Accio envelope!”

Remus watched as a white envelope suddenly flew towards Harry at such a speed Remus was certain he was going to get injured. However, Harry simply caught it like the seeker he was.

“For you, for you, for you!” Harry chanted, dancing around while waving the envelope. “Present for you!”

“Okay,” Sirius smiled uneasily.

“Open, open, open!” Harry chanted, thrusting the envelope at them. “Open, open, open!”

Gingerly taking the envelope, Sirius quickly opened it before pulling out the contents. It was a letter from Amelia Bones.

Dear Mister Potter, it read. Thank you for your letter. After some deliberation, I have decided to grant you your request to become an animagus. All I ask is that you register and do everything under Professor McGonagall’s watch for your safety. I wish you luck in this difficult assignment. Hope you’re well, Amelia Jane Bones, Minister of Magic, Britain.

Remus gasped before looking at Sirius, who was also gaping. He then looked at Harry who, to his dismay, had climbed onto the fence and was standing on it like a gymnast, arms outstretched as he wobbled.

“Surprise!” he beamed. “I’m going to become an animagus too! That way I can keep you company on the full moon too, Moony! Just like Dad did!”

“Harry!” Remus cried, dropping the basket. “Get down! That’s not safe!”

“Harry! You’ll hurt yourself!” Sirius added, dropping the envelope and letter.

“I’m going to look after you just like Dad did,” Harry continued as he started walking along the narrow beam, either not hearing or ignoring what the two men said. “I’ll look after you both, just like Dad. I’ll keep Moony company during the moon, and I’ll do anything to make Padfoot happy. Whatever you want, I’ll do. I’ll even burn down Grimmauld for you.”

Harry then started giggling manically as he started walking on his toes, much to Remus’s horror. He looked at Sirius, who looked scared and uncomfortable at Harry’s words. They quickly moved forward, reaching out their hands.

“I’ll burn it all for you!” Harry giggled. “I’ll burn Grimmauld! I’ll burn the shack! I’ll burn everything that has ever hurt you until it falls like London Bridge! London Bridge is falling down; falling down; falling— ah!”

Suddenly, Harry slipped and started to fall to the side, only for Sirius to grab one of his hands. Remus let out a relieved exhale as Sirius carefully helped Harry down before sitting on the grass, pulling the boy to his chest. In his arms, Harry was breathing heavily, his cheeks and nose flushed and his eyes drooping. Remus quickly kneeled in front of them to hold the back of his fingers to Harry’s forehead. It felt hot and sweaty.

“Oh, Harry, look at you! You have a fever!” he said, quickly touching Harry’s cheeks as well. “You’re burning up, annwyl!”

“I am?” Harry asked quietly as Sirius quickly felt Harry’s forehead.

“Moony’s right, Fawn,” he told him. “You’re really sick.”

“But I can’t be,” Harry told them. “I never get sick. Even when Dudley got the vomiting bug and gave it to Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia. I was the only one who didn’t get it.”

“But cariad, you have gotten sick,” Remus told him gently, running his fingers through Harry’s unruly locks.

“But I can’t be!” Harry cried. “There’s still one more gift! It’s back at the castle!”

“It’ll keep,” Sirius smiled, pulling Harry closer so the boy’s head was resting against his shoulder. “We’ll put today on hold and celebrate when you’re well again.”

“But-,” Harry started to say.

“Come on, cub,” Remus smiled. “Stop being stubborn. Just admit it.”

Harry sighed. “Okay, I’m sick. I’ve been feeling sick since I woke up this morning.”

“Oh, Harry,” Remus sighed, before standing, using the fence for support. “Let’s get you back to the castle.”

Harry nodded as he stood up, only to start swaying. Remus winced before grabbing Harry’s shoulders (he hoped) gently.

“Woah! I’ve got you,” he said.

“I think we’ll need to carry him, love,” Sirius told him as he stood up, shaking his legs a little.

“Yeah, I think so,” Remus nodded, taking off his cloak. “Put your arms around my neck, Fawn.”

“But I’m too heavy,” Harry said, his eyes blinking sluggishly as Sirius carefully helped Harry out of his cloak.

“You’re not too heavy,” Remus smiled as Sirius took his cloak and placed it over the fence with Harry’s. “One of the only perks to being a werewolf is that I’m very strong. I can carry you. Put your arms around my neck.”

Harry looked at him with doubt but obediently threaded his arms around Remus’s neck. Once he did, Remus picked him up in a bridal carry with Sirius’s help.

“How’s your back, Moons?” Sirius asked, grabbing the letter and envelope before stowing them in the basket.

“I’m good,” Remus nodded before looking at Harry, who looked panicked. “I’m good.”

“Okay, let’s get back to the castle,” Sirius said, picking up the cloaks and slinging them over his arm before picking up the basket. “We’ll get the elves to make you some soup and we’ll get Poppy to look at you.”

“I don’t want to go to the Hospital Wing.” Harry rested his head against Remus’s neck as Remus and Sirius started walking along the path.

“No Hospital Wing,” Sirius promised. “We’ll get her to come to our room. Let me know if you need a break, Moony, then we’ll swap.”

“No problem,” Remus nodded.

The walk through the village was quiet, with Sirius looking around while fingering his holster in case someone approached them. But thankfully it being the holidays, there weren’t many people around which made the walk much quicker and easier, allowing Remus and Sirius to reach the path that led back to Hogwarts in a short amount of time.

“Almost there, Fawn,” he murmured. “Almost at the castle.”

Suddenly, Harry sniffed, so softly that Remus almost missed it. He frowned before inhaling. Grass, sugar, butterbeer and salt. Where did the smell of salt come from? Then he felt something small and wet splash against his collarbone followed by another sniff while Harry’s chest shuddered against his body.

“Harry?” he asked. “Harry, are you crying?”

Another sniff confirmed it.

Remus sighed. “Pads?”

“Yes, love?” Sirius asked, looking at him. “Do you need a break?”

Remus shook his head before using his eyes to gesture at Harry. Sirius’s eyes widened.

“Fawn, what's wrong?” he asked.

“It’s nothing, I’m being silly,” Harry said quietly.

“Nothing is silly, Harry,” Remus said, walking over to the stone wall that framed the path before placing Harry on it.

“Talk to us, Harry,” Sirius encouraged, putting down the basket and cloaks before taking a seat beside Harry while Remus sat on the other side. “What’s wrong?”

Harry sniffed. “I just wanted to give you a perfect Father's Day. But I ended up ruining it by getting sick! And I held Teddy! What if I made him sick too?!”

“No, no, love,” Sirius crooned, cupping Harry’s cheek. “You haven't ruined anything!”

“Yes, you organised all this and your gifts were so thoughtful,” Remus added, stroking Harry’s hair. “As for Teddy, we’ve watched you cast cleaning spells on yourself all day. I’m sure Teddy is not going to get sick.”

“But-,” Harry said.

“Look, we’ll get Poppy or Andi or Ted to look at Teddy if you’re worried,” Sirius smiled. “But for now, let’s get you to bed, okay? You’re exhausted.”

Harry sighed. “Okay.”

Remus couldn’t help but huff a soft laugh. Harry really was Lily and James’s son.

“Come on,” he said, picking up Harry again while Sirius grabbed the basket and cloaks again. “We’ll be back inside soon.”

“Lyall said to meet him near the giant oak,” Sirius said, as they continued walking. “So, we’ll meet him there, then we’ll go inside.”

Remus looked down as Harry relaxed against him. His eyes were closed and there was a relieved smile on his face.

“Perfect,” he sighed.

Remus looked at Sirius, who shrugged. The two of them continued along the path.

Harry:

Harry wanted to kick himself. He couldn’t believe that he had gotten so sick. And on the day he had specifically dedicated to Remus and Sirius. He felt so tired, his entire body ached, and he felt both hot and cold. And now he was being carried to the castle by Remus. He didn’t know what embarrassed him more; the fact that he was so weak that he had to be carried or the fact that he liked the way Remus was holding him, like a parent would hold a child. He yawned.

“Almost there, Harry,” he heard Sirius say. “We’re just entering the courtyard now.”

“Okay,” Harry smiled, not yet opening his eyes.

Even if it wasn’t going the way he wanted, at least Remus and Sirius would see the party. They’ll see the food, the cake, the decorations. Everyone there.

“SURPRISE!”

Harry flinched at the sudden yell but still smiled when he heard two speechless “wows” come from his godfathers. He opened his eyes, ready to say something when his eyes widened at the scene before him.

Books were flying in circles above the tables while Teddy’s toys danced around the punchbowl. A few telescopes appeared to be playing hopscotch on some plates and there was a pot of ink and a quill doing random drawings on the banner Luna made. Also, much to Harry's surprise, Dumbledore was beside McGonagall with his wand out, trying to shoot spells at the flying books.

“What?” he whispered.

“What is all this?” Remus asked, carefully putting Harry down but keeping a hand around his waist just in case.

“Harry, is this you?” Sirius asked. “Did you do this?”

“Yeah, this is my- achoo!”

Everyone gasped as the grass under Luna’s feet suddenly became bouncy like a trampoline. Luna squealed in delight as she jumped.

“Awesome!” the Twins cried, running towards the new bouncy grass with Ron and Ginny following close behind as they pulled Hermione and Neville alongside them.

Harry gaped as he watched his friends bounce. “Did-did I do that? Achoo!”

This time the cutlery and goblets started dancing. Another sneeze. The plates and teacups started spinning. A third sneeze and the picnic blankets unrolled themselves before floating like magic carpets. Another made the decorations spin and whir, and another set off a variety of orange and purple fireworks that Harry knew the twins set up.

Andromeda gaped before rushing over, taking Harry’s face in her hands. He closed his eyes with a sigh. Her cool hands felt lovely on his warm face.

“Merlin and Morgana, Harry!” she cried, feeling his forehead. “You got a fever! Ted! Bring a chair over, quick!”

She then glared at Remus and Sirius. “Why didn’t you two send me a message or bring him to me before he got this bad?”

“He insisted he was fine,” Remus sighed.

“Ugh, Gryffindors!” Andromeda rolled her eyes just as Ted came over with a chair while the Weasleys, Tonks, Teddy, Lyall, Luna, Hermione, McGonagall, and Dumbledore stood by and watched, although it looked like Molly wanted to swoop in and fuss over Harry.

“Sit, Harry,” Ted instructed. “Let’s have a look.”

“I’m fine, I’m just tired,” Harry said as Remus gently settled him into the chair.

“No, he’s not,” Sirius said. “He’s got a cold.”

Harry gave Sirius a weak glare. He didn’t want to be fussed over. He just wanted to get back to the party and then maybe sleep a little later.

“Let’s see,” Andromeda said as Ted waved his wand.

Harry watched wearily as a roll of parchment appeared from the end of Ted’s wand, thankfully being only about a quarter of a foot long. Much better than the seven-foot scroll that had appeared from Ted’s wand the first time he gave Harry a medical examination.

“What’s it say?” Sirius asked.

“He’s got a cold,” Ted told him. “He’s also dehydrated, and he’s exhausted his magical core a fair bit. Probably from casting spells and the random bouts of magic while sick. Harry, what spells have you cast today?”

Harry frowned, trying to remember through his headache but all he could remember was the cleaning spell.

“Just the cleaning spell you and Andi taught me, I think,” he said.

“How many times?”

“I don’t know. Every time I’ve sneezed, I guess.” Harry closed his eyes. “I’m tired.”

Ted winced. “Any other spells?”

Harry made a noise while giving his shoulder a small jolt. He felt so sleepy. But he couldn’t sleep. There was still the party. Although, would a few minutes hurt? No, that wouldn’t be polite. Aunt Petunia would have thrown a fit if he had done something like that around her. No, he had to stay awake. But his eyes itched. Wait, maybe if he closed his eyes but still listened, it would be okay. Yeah, that’ll work.

“He cast the duplicating spell when we met up in Hogsmeade,” Lyall called. “Made my crown.”

“And he used the summoning spell when we were near the shack,” Remus added.

“Those spells require a fair bit of magic,” Andromeda said. “And if he’s been feeling poorly all day, he’s probably exhausted himself.”

“Yeah,” Ted nodded. “Okay, well, he’ll need plenty of fluids and sleep, but other than that, he’ll be okay.”

Harry opened his eyes before looking at Remus and Sirius.

“See, I’ll be okay, so let’s get back to the party,” Harry said, standing up quickly, only for his head to spin and his legs to wobble. He grabbed his head. “Oh.”

“Woah!” Sirius said, quickly catching Harry before he could collapse. “Easy. And no, Harry, no party. You’re going to bed.”

Bed? No, not yet. They needed to see the cake and the figurines Harry worked on.

“No, no, I can’t,” he smiled woozily, turning, and grabbing Remus and Sirius’ hands before weakly leading them to the table. “All that's left to do is cut the cake.”

“No, Harry. It’s okay,” Remus said, trying to pull Harry away. “Come on, it’s time for bed.”

“But Andi made a…ACHOO! ACHOO!”

At the first sneeze, the cake suddenly rose in the air, making it drop the figurines. Then, with the second sneeze, the cake launched itself like a rocket straight into Professor Dumbledore, covering the old man in cake and frosting. Everyone gaped as chunks of cake slowly fell off his face and robes, frosting clinging to his hair, glasses, and beard.

Teddy, who had been sitting silently in Tonks’s arms, let out a delighted squeal, which immediately set everyone off. Harry felt mortified.

“Sir, I am….”

Dumbledore chuckled as he took off his glasses.

“Quite alright, Harry,” he smiled before putting a frosted finger in his mouth. “This is delicious. My compliments on your baking, Mrs Tonks.”

Epilogue:

Later, after the charms had been broken and everything had been cleaned up, Molly and Arthur took the teenagers home while Lyall went with the Tonks to spend some time with his grandson, Remus and Sirius took Harry back to their room. An hour later, Harry was sitting in bed, wearing pyjamas and one of Remus’s sweaters. Remus was on his left, reading one of the fairy-tale books Harry had given him while Sirius was on Harry’s right, feeding him spoonfuls of hot chicken soup that Molly had kindly whipped up before she had gone back to the Burrow. The painting Harry had given them was watching over the tiny family with watchful eyes, clearly concerned about Harry’s health.

Sirius smiled as he fed Harry a final spoonful.

“Best Father's Day present ever,” he said, putting down the bowl. “Right, Moonbeam?”

Remus smiled. “The best.”

“Really? Which one?” Harry asked, curiously.

“You letting us take care of you,” Sirius answered, pressing a kiss to Harry’s forehead while Remus picked up Harry’s hand to kiss the back of it.

Harry blushed, his eyes growing watery before sneezing again. This time, the cake figurines, which Sirius had placed on Harry’s bedside table, started jumping and dancing across Harry’s blanket, making Harry groan while the men chuckled.