Previous Chapters:
Chapter 1: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003511265
Chapter 2: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003514336
Chapter 3: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003520568
Chapter 4: https://harrypotter.fandom.com/f/p/4400000000003526224
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Before I begin I want to clarify something, I try and follow the actual timeline as best I can however I will make little changes to the timeline that help my story, for example as I am sure some of you have noticed Sirius has yet to inherit his uncles fortune, that's not an error I did that on purpose, I needed both Remus and Sirius to be financially struggling for this to work. There have been other changes but none as big as that, now that that is explained, I shall continue.
Chapter Five: Unforgettable Holidays
December twenty-first Sirius was making supper magically which freed up time for him to show Harry flash cards to help with his expanding vocabulary. He had already learned so many more words since Hallowe’en. Over the last month, alongside growing the starts of a beard, Sirius had had many more deeply down moments, but he know talked to Remus when they happened and slowly they are getting fewer and far between. And for the first time in months Sirius felt truly happy.
‘Owl, this is an owl Harry, say owl.’
‘Elo.’
‘No Fawny, owl. Ow-wool, ow-wool.’
‘Ow.’
‘That’s good Harry. Here’s the next one. Harry, say moon.’
But weather Harry said anything Sirius could not tell because the door had opened and slammed shut. Remus came in, face red, and Sirius couldn’t tell if he was angry or deeply worried.
‘Mate, what’s the matter, why are you upset?’
‘We need to talk, something has happened. Dinner won’t catch fire if you take a minute, won’t it?’
‘No, it shouldn’t. One second.’
He picked up the toddler and put him in the makeshift play-pen and then followed Remus into his room. They both sat down on Remus’ bed.
‘There has been a vote today by the International Magical Office of Law, on a proposed werewolf restriction law, it passed.’
‘Oh Remus, I’m so sorry. That is terrible.’
‘Sirius, it is more then terrible, the law allows any employers to fire werewolf employees without cause, and for business to refuse service to werewolves. This could be life ruining.’
‘Hey, Remus, it’s going to be alright, your not a registered werewolf, the ministry can’t effect you.’
‘My "religious figure" Sirius, you aren’t listening, this law to me is very up-‘
CRASH! In the kitchen there was the sound of a pot hitting the floor, and then the loud cries of a baby.
‘Harry!’
Sirius ran into the kitchen, Remus right behind, and found the pot of boiling soup splattered on the floor, centimetres from where Harry sat. Quickly Sirius scooped up Harry and Remus used magic to clean up.
‘Is he ok?’
Sirius gave Harry a one over and then started comforting him.
‘The little fawn is ok, just really spooked. Guess we’re having tuna sandwiches tonight.’
And so they did, with Harry having a mashed up boiled egg. Remus stayed silent all supper so Sirius took that as a hint to be quite as well. That evening Remus helped Harry practice walking and then eventually put Harry to bed.
Sirius assumed Remus would then go to bed, but instead he came and sat next to Sirius on the couch they had in the living section.
‘You reacted really fast earlier, parental instincts are really kicking in.’
‘I guess.’
They sat in silence for a bit, finally Sirius talked.
‘I wanted to tell you something, I noticed a lot recently that you tend to refer to only me as Harry’s parent, you’ll say you help look after him but not that you are raising him, why?’
‘Because you’re his kin, not me. I’m really growing to care for the boy, but I’m not his father technically, you are. There is something I need to talk to you about as well, with this new law it could be harmful to you and Harry’s financial situation if I am found out, so once you get a raise or two I am going to get a meeting with the Wizengamots and move out.’
‘What, no, you can’t. What about Harry, you just said you care about him, I don’t think it would be healthy for another parental figure to leave him, and you yourself told me you didn’t think being here was a burden.’
‘I don’t think it’s a burden, it’s been an honour, but I am not his parent, and I think getting attached like I have to our living arrangement is unhealthy, and-‘
Sirius took Remus’ hand. ‘Moony, you are just as much Harry’s father as I am, he needs you. I need-‘
He couldn’t find the words to finish though. They were now looking into each other’s eyes, Remus had gotten lost in his blueish-grey eyes. Remus found himself leaning in when Harry started crying. Sirius stood up.
‘I’ll get him, then I’m going to bed. Good night Remus.’
‘Yes, um, good night.’
A couple days passed, Sirius had Christmas Eve afternoon off, and both Sirius and Remus had Christmas Day off. There wasn’t snow, but the bitter cold covered the outside and windows with beautiful white frost.
Christmas morning both men managed to sleep in for once, Harry was quite until almost nine in the morning. When they did awake to Harry making noise, they both met up in the small hallway.
‘Ready for Harry’s first Christmas?’
‘I hope, let’s do this Remus.’
And with that they walked into Harry’s room and let him out of his crib. They then led the wobbly walking toddler to main area of the apartment where a small evergreen was surrounded by a small pile of presents.
They started helping Harry open his presents, which included some fun toy, new clothes as he was quickly growing out of his own, as well as a foldable play tent to replace the makeshift play-pen. To Remus’ surprise there was a present from his father to Harry which was a blanket that had “To Harry, Love Paw-Paw” written on it. Harry immediately fell in love with the tent and started babbling inside it with some old and new toys. This left Sirius and Remus some time to give each other there gifts.
Remus handed Sirius two big boxes.
‘The first one I got you are you went on your first random motorcycle trip, and the second I have just been picking up here and there.’
Sirius opened the biggest box to find a silver Bell Star motorcycle helmet with a painted hound on both sides of it.
‘I know you already have a helmet, but it just came to mind and now your old one can be a spare.’
‘Thank you Remus, I think this is really touching.’
Sirius opened the second to find a bunch of muggle albums. Including “The Visitors”, “Welcome to "negative religious location"”, “Ten Years of Harmony”, “Damaged”, and “For Those About to Rock We Salute You”.
‘They’re all albums that came out within the last month I believe, not sure what you liked to I hope they’re all good.’
‘I am sure they are, can’t wait to listen to the AC/DC one. Now your turn Moony.’
‘Ok, ok.’
Sirius passed him a medium sized box, plus a handful of wrapped gifts that were obviously books. He opened the box first.
‘I practically raided Sugarplums’ shop.’
Inside the box was a dozen of different sweet treats, including Ginger Newt biscuits, shortbread cookies, butterscotch, a Chocolate Cauldron, Treacle and Butterbeer fudge, a couple peppermint toads, and some toffees.
‘This’ll definitely get me through until Easter, thank you Sirius.’
‘You’re welcome, now open the others.’
He did, and as he suspected they were books, however surprisingly they were cooking and baking books.
‘I remember you mentioning once or twice in school you wanted to learn how to make different foods, and I know you love sweets, so I thought these would be fun when you have down time. I know you are trying to do some research to, but I wasn’t sure what you needed, so there are a couple vouchers for Flourish and Blotts in there too.’
‘This is incredible, thank you so much Sirius, I will put all of these to good use.’
Harry then stuck his head out from his tent and called out, ‘Moony!’ Remus went from having a soft smile, to an ear to ear grin.
‘Sirius, Sirius did you hear that? He called me Moony, he called me Moony.’
‘Yes, we are his Moony and Paddy.’
The rest of the day went very well, they played with Harry, listened to music, and instead of having a feast they had a home cooked macaroni and cheese casserole. By evening Harry was fast asleep from all the excitement of the day. This left Sirius and Remus siting inform of the cracklings fire place with two glasses of spiked eggnog.
‘It might be the aged rum talking, but I can’t get our discussion from the other night out of my head. I don’t want you to go Remus, not just because Harry needs you are that you have helped me through a difficult time, but because I don’t want you to go. I really enjoy you by my side Remus.’
‘I don’t really want to go either, but I’m like a ticking time bomb, sooner or later the Ministry will kick me out, or I’ll transform and Harry’s see, or both, I don’t want to put you two through anymore hardships or trauma.’
‘But I don’t see you as a risk, I see you as someone who cares deeply for those he loves, and fights for what’s right, and is always there for you when needed, and Remus I think I need to tell you something but I don’t want to ruin our-‘
He could not finish however, as Remus had closed the distance between them with a kiss. Sirius was surprised for a second, but then leaned into it and put his hand on Remus’ scared face to caress his cheek.
Eventually they separated, an almost giddy smile on Remus’ face.
‘I was so scared before to tell you that I told myself I would never tell you, but now I am not scared anymore. I really like you Sirius, I don’t want go, not if you will have me here.’
‘I wouldn’t want you anywhere else.’
Christmas of 1981 was one of the happiest they would ever experience, if only they’d known the tragedies that were to come.
