The Long Road Home, Outtake: Sirius Trouble
Rated:R
Summary: Sequel to Ginny's Gift. Read that story first. Harry must deal with the aftermath of Voldemort's defeat.
Outtake: Sirius Trouble
Note: This outtake was written by Jo and Sherylyn.
Harry was just about to activate his Portkey when Arthur touched his arm. "I just thought of something. You go ahead, and I’ll meet you there in a few minutes," Arthur told him. Harry nodded, still feeling slightly off-balance by the whirlwind of events. Arthur gave his arm a gentle squeeze, but Harry thought his father-in-law’s eyes seemed to be twinkling rather mysteriously. He was just about to ask Arthur about it, but then Arthur turned and went into the kitchen. He shrugged slightly to himself, and activated his Portkey.
He arrived on the steps of the house he’d shared with Sirius and Remus all these months. He put his hand on the doorknob, then froze momentarily. Memories of his last night here flashed through his mind unbidden and he felt himself redden again at how embarrassed he’d been at the time. But then… images from his night with Ginny followed, and instead of blushing, he suddenly realized he was grinning.
Without consciously deciding to do so, his hand turned the doorknob and he suddenly found himself in the entryway of Remus’ house. He closed the front door as quietly as he could. If he was lucky, he could get to his room and start to gather some things before Sirius noticed he was there. He knew he’d have to confront his godfather soon enough, but now that he was actually here, he was hoping desperately to forestall this long enough for Arthur to arrive, at least.
He tiptoed toward his room, but was halted in his tracks by the sound of someone clearing his throat.
Loudly.
Harry swallowed and turned toward the noise.
Sirius was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at him intently. "Erm… hi," Harry managed. Sirius quirked an eyebrow at him, then raised his hand and crooked his index finger at Harry, beckoning him to come closer.
"I-I just needed to get some things -" Harry began, edging again toward his room.
Sirius’ expression darkened instantaneously. "Harry James Potter. Get your arse in this kitchen. Now," Sirius ordered. His voice was quieter, but more commanding, than Harry had ever heard it before.
Harry began to inch toward the kitchen, trying somehow to get past Sirius and through the doorway without actually getting close enough to his godfather to be within reach. As soon as he was close enough, Sirius grabbed his arm, hauled him to the kitchen table and plopped him into the same chair he’d been stuck to only two nights ago.
Sirius paced back and forth across the kitchen, running a hand through his hair as though trying to keep himself in check.
"Sirius, I can -" Harry began, but Sirius spun back to face him, his eyes blazing.
He suddenly appeared much taller than Harry had ever noticed before. "Don’t," he snapped. "Just don’t.
"I knew what you were planning, but it never occurred to me that you wouldn't let anyone know where you were! Do you have any idea how worried Molly and Arthur were? They came to see us! Did you know that? May I ask just exactly WHAT YOU WERE THINKING?
"Disappearing for hours! Days! Taking Ginny with you to Merlin knows where. Not leaving a note. Not contacting anyone. Not even sending an owl? Have you completely taken leave of your senses?"
Harry swallowed and fidgeted in his seat.
"Uh…"
"Ginny was gone for weeks, Harry! Weeks!! Do you have any idea how much that worried Molly and Arthur? Didn’t you think that they might be worried about her? Didn’t you think that Remus and I might be worried about YOU??" Sirius’ volume was increasing exponentially.
"I…"
"You didn’t, did you? You just let your romance and your desires carry you away." Sirius’ voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "You don’t seem to understand, Harry, that people worry. We know you’ve been taking care of yourself for years, but we still worry."
Harry stared at the table before him. He’d expected Sirius to be worried, even angry. He hadn’t expected his godfather to be able to rival Molly Weasley in making him feel horrible about this, in spite of how wonderful he felt in so many other ways.
"I’m sorry, Sirius," Harry mumbled, still unable to meet his godfather’s eyes. Even though he was an adult and now a married man, at this moment he felt very much a child of ten.
Suddenly he was hauled to his feet, and he cringed involuntarily, wondering what Sirius was planning to hex him with this time. Instead, he felt strong arms wrap around him as Sirius pulled him close. He wrapped his arms around godfather, returning the embrace gratefully. "I’m so sorry," he mumbled into Sirius’ chest. "I didn’t think… I didn’t think it through."
"At times like these," Sirius began, "I wish you hadn’t been Sorted into Gryffindor. Slytherin would have at least taught you to think things through." Harry could hear the smile in his voice.
Harry chuckled, "I suppose."
"But you’re a Gryffindor through and through. Going off on your own… taking matters into your own hands… always acting without thinking things through properly. I could tell you stories…"
Harry lifted his head and looked into Sirius’ eyes, "Oh?"
"… But I won’t. You’re still in a lot of trouble, young man."
Harry nodded. "Um… Sirius, I don’t blame you for being angry with me, but… I think that whatever chores and things you’re considering… well, they may have to wait a while."
Sirius caught his shoulders and held him at arms’ length. "Oh?"
Harry couldn’t suppress the grin that he felt spreading across his face. "Um, yeah. I - I think my wife might hurt you if I’m not back soon for us to finish our honeymoon."
"Your w-wife? Harry? Did you do what I think you did although I know you’d never do a thing like - like... Harry?" He looked down at his godson, and Harry briefly thought that he’d have given a large sum of Galleons to have a photograph of his godfather’s face at that moment.
"Yes, Sirius?" Harry looked the epitome of innocence.
"Did you and Ginny... did you... get - married?"
"Yes, Sirius," Harry grinned.
"Ah… Oh… Erm… Excuse me a moment." Sirius had a most… peculiar
expression on his face. He abruptly released Harry’s shoulders and strode toward the kitchen door.
Harry stood in the center of the kitchen, looking rather perplexed as his godfather retreated from the kitchen.
Sirius stalked into the corridor, and Harry could hear the slam of what had to be Remus’ bedroom door being flung open, and Sirius bellowing, "Moony! I know it was the full moon and you just got to sleep, but if you don’t come in here
now, you’ll never forgive either of us!"
A few moments later, a bedraggled Remus entered the room. His face was scruffy and his nightclothes had been hastily buttoned, but his eyes lit up when he saw Harry.
"Where have you been? Are you all right?
"He’s fine, Moony," Sirius growled as he followed Remus into the kitchen. "Seems our little Marauder decided to get married."
"Married?" Remus’ face was alight. "But you’re okay? You weren’t kidnapped or anything?"
"I’m fine, Remus. Really," Harry said, looking at his friend. "I’m sorry you were so worried. I didn’t mean..."
"I know," Remus replied. "When the heart is involved, people do weird things. Strange things. Irresponsible things..." He turned to look at Sirius, who scowled and looked away. "The important thing is that you’re all right."
"I am."
"And when’s the wedding?"
"Uh… yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
Harry nodded.
"And… you just ran off and…" Remus began.
"… And eloped. Yes," Sirius continued, glaring at Harry, who looked down at his shoes.
"And you didn’t tell… anyone?" Remus said. It was almost a whisper.
Harry shook his head. His left lace needed tightening, but damned if he was going to lean over to do it now.
"I see," Remus said. "I see why you were so upset, Padfoot," he said, turning to Sirius. "He didn’t even let us have a stag party for him."
"Well…" Harry began.
"He didn’t let you be his best man…" Remus continued. Sirius nodded in dismay.
"Actually…" Harry tried again.
"He wouldn’t even let us give him tips on his… Oh." Remus stopped. Slowly, he and Sirius turned to look at him.
"… Wedding night," they said in unison.
Harry blushed. "Actually, you did."
Sirius and Remus burst out laughing, and then suddenly Sirius had hold of him again, grabbing him around the shoulders and squeezing hard, shaking him playfully. "You little sneak!" Sirius crowed. "You even managed to keep it secret from us! I knew you were a Marauder at heart!"
Harry knew he was blushing furiously, but he was laughing too hard to care as Sirius managed to tickle him without releasing his grip on Harry’s shoulders.
Remus laughed along with them, "You are going to have to tell us how you managed to pull this off!"
Harry grinned at him mischievously. "I have…" He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "…connections," he finished, his grin widening even further.
Remus and Sirius both laughed at him, but before he could say anything more, they were interrupted by a knock at the front door.
"That’ll be Mr. - Dad," Harry began, then caught the look that passed between the two old friends. "I mean - Arthur. He said - but if -"
Sirius shook his head, cutting him off, as Remus went to open the door. Sirius put a hand on each of Harry’s shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes. "You call them Mum and Dad if you want to, Harry. They’ve been parents to you more than anyone ever has, and now they are truly your family. Nothing in the world could please me more."
Harry shook his head slightly. "But you’re more a dad…" he began, but Sirius shook his head with a slight smile.
"I’ve always thought of you as being partly my own son," Sirius said quietly. "But you have more family than just me now." He leaned back slightly and simply looked at his godson. "I remember… so clearly, how excited your parents were when they learned they were expecting you. How long it seemed until you actually arrived." He looked up, distracted for a moment as Remus stuck his head into the room and motioned for them to join him and Arthur in the living room.
They followed, Sirius’ hand resting comfortably on Harry’s shoulder.
Sirius’ eyes swept over the room, including them all in his memories, but obviously focused on images in his mind. "Lily was so excited to be a mother, and James -" he laughed, "James was over the moon. We were all so nervous during her pregnancy… we were there all the time, helping out. I swear we must have driven her out of her mind. But she never complained. Not once." He turned to look at Remus, who had walked over and was standing next to them now.
"I remember their wedding," Remus began, laying a hand on Harry’s other shoulder. "It was lovely. Beautiful spring day, not a cloud in the sky. They were so happy. And when you were born… you were their baby. Their son. Harry, I’d never seen them so proud."
Sirius caught Harry’s gaze again, and Harry realized that his godfather’s eyes glimmered with tears that matched those in his own eyes.
"James and Lily would be so pleased with how you turned out, Harry," Sirius said quietly. "You were their pride and joy, and nothing would have made them happier than to see you happily married."
Harry impulsively wrapped his arms around his godfather again, his throat tightening, unable to think of words to possibly convey everything he wanted to tell Sirius at that moment. So he simply settled on the first thing that came to his mind.
He pressed his cheek against his godfather’s chest and simply murmured, "Thank you."
A/N: Anne and Marian - thanks so much for letting us play with and nurture this bunny. He's one of our favorites. If you have more, we'd love to babysit. ;-)
Outtake: The Reception
Summary: Sequel to Ginny's Gift. Read that story first. Harry must deal with the aftermath of Voldemort's defeat.
Outtake: Sirius Trouble
Note: This outtake was written by Jo and Sherylyn.
Harry was just about to activate his Portkey when Arthur touched his arm. "I just thought of something. You go ahead, and I’ll meet you there in a few minutes," Arthur told him. Harry nodded, still feeling slightly off-balance by the whirlwind of events. Arthur gave his arm a gentle squeeze, but Harry thought his father-in-law’s eyes seemed to be twinkling rather mysteriously. He was just about to ask Arthur about it, but then Arthur turned and went into the kitchen. He shrugged slightly to himself, and activated his Portkey.
He arrived on the steps of the house he’d shared with Sirius and Remus all these months. He put his hand on the doorknob, then froze momentarily. Memories of his last night here flashed through his mind unbidden and he felt himself redden again at how embarrassed he’d been at the time. But then… images from his night with Ginny followed, and instead of blushing, he suddenly realized he was grinning.
Without consciously deciding to do so, his hand turned the doorknob and he suddenly found himself in the entryway of Remus’ house. He closed the front door as quietly as he could. If he was lucky, he could get to his room and start to gather some things before Sirius noticed he was there. He knew he’d have to confront his godfather soon enough, but now that he was actually here, he was hoping desperately to forestall this long enough for Arthur to arrive, at least.
He tiptoed toward his room, but was halted in his tracks by the sound of someone clearing his throat.
Loudly.
Harry swallowed and turned toward the noise.
Sirius was standing in the doorway of the kitchen, looking at him intently. "Erm… hi," Harry managed. Sirius quirked an eyebrow at him, then raised his hand and crooked his index finger at Harry, beckoning him to come closer.
"I-I just needed to get some things -" Harry began, edging again toward his room.
Sirius’ expression darkened instantaneously. "Harry James Potter. Get your arse in this kitchen. Now," Sirius ordered. His voice was quieter, but more commanding, than Harry had ever heard it before.
Harry began to inch toward the kitchen, trying somehow to get past Sirius and through the doorway without actually getting close enough to his godfather to be within reach. As soon as he was close enough, Sirius grabbed his arm, hauled him to the kitchen table and plopped him into the same chair he’d been stuck to only two nights ago.
Sirius paced back and forth across the kitchen, running a hand through his hair as though trying to keep himself in check.
"Sirius, I can -" Harry began, but Sirius spun back to face him, his eyes blazing.
He suddenly appeared much taller than Harry had ever noticed before. "Don’t," he snapped. "Just don’t.
"I knew what you were planning, but it never occurred to me that you wouldn't let anyone know where you were! Do you have any idea how worried Molly and Arthur were? They came to see us! Did you know that? May I ask just exactly WHAT YOU WERE THINKING?
"Disappearing for hours! Days! Taking Ginny with you to Merlin knows where. Not leaving a note. Not contacting anyone. Not even sending an owl? Have you completely taken leave of your senses?"
Harry swallowed and fidgeted in his seat.
"Uh…"
"Ginny was gone for weeks, Harry! Weeks!! Do you have any idea how much that worried Molly and Arthur? Didn’t you think that they might be worried about her? Didn’t you think that Remus and I might be worried about YOU??" Sirius’ volume was increasing exponentially.
"I…"
"You didn’t, did you? You just let your romance and your desires carry you away." Sirius’ voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "You don’t seem to understand, Harry, that people worry. We know you’ve been taking care of yourself for years, but we still worry."
Harry stared at the table before him. He’d expected Sirius to be worried, even angry. He hadn’t expected his godfather to be able to rival Molly Weasley in making him feel horrible about this, in spite of how wonderful he felt in so many other ways.
"I’m sorry, Sirius," Harry mumbled, still unable to meet his godfather’s eyes. Even though he was an adult and now a married man, at this moment he felt very much a child of ten.
Suddenly he was hauled to his feet, and he cringed involuntarily, wondering what Sirius was planning to hex him with this time. Instead, he felt strong arms wrap around him as Sirius pulled him close. He wrapped his arms around godfather, returning the embrace gratefully. "I’m so sorry," he mumbled into Sirius’ chest. "I didn’t think… I didn’t think it through."
"At times like these," Sirius began, "I wish you hadn’t been Sorted into Gryffindor. Slytherin would have at least taught you to think things through." Harry could hear the smile in his voice.
Harry chuckled, "I suppose."
"But you’re a Gryffindor through and through. Going off on your own… taking matters into your own hands… always acting without thinking things through properly. I could tell you stories…"
Harry lifted his head and looked into Sirius’ eyes, "Oh?"
"… But I won’t. You’re still in a lot of trouble, young man."
Harry nodded. "Um… Sirius, I don’t blame you for being angry with me, but… I think that whatever chores and things you’re considering… well, they may have to wait a while."
Sirius caught his shoulders and held him at arms’ length. "Oh?"
Harry couldn’t suppress the grin that he felt spreading across his face. "Um, yeah. I - I think my wife might hurt you if I’m not back soon for us to finish our honeymoon."
"Your w-wife? Harry? Did you do what I think you did although I know you’d never do a thing like - like... Harry?" He looked down at his godson, and Harry briefly thought that he’d have given a large sum of Galleons to have a photograph of his godfather’s face at that moment.
"Yes, Sirius?" Harry looked the epitome of innocence.
"Did you and Ginny... did you... get - married?"
"Yes, Sirius," Harry grinned.
"Ah… Oh… Erm… Excuse me a moment." Sirius had a most… peculiar
expression on his face. He abruptly released Harry’s shoulders and strode toward the kitchen door.
Harry stood in the center of the kitchen, looking rather perplexed as his godfather retreated from the kitchen.
Sirius stalked into the corridor, and Harry could hear the slam of what had to be Remus’ bedroom door being flung open, and Sirius bellowing, "Moony! I know it was the full moon and you just got to sleep, but if you don’t come in here
now, you’ll never forgive either of us!"
A few moments later, a bedraggled Remus entered the room. His face was scruffy and his nightclothes had been hastily buttoned, but his eyes lit up when he saw Harry.
"Where have you been? Are you all right?
"He’s fine, Moony," Sirius growled as he followed Remus into the kitchen. "Seems our little Marauder decided to get married."
"Married?" Remus’ face was alight. "But you’re okay? You weren’t kidnapped or anything?"
"I’m fine, Remus. Really," Harry said, looking at his friend. "I’m sorry you were so worried. I didn’t mean..."
"I know," Remus replied. "When the heart is involved, people do weird things. Strange things. Irresponsible things..." He turned to look at Sirius, who scowled and looked away. "The important thing is that you’re all right."
"I am."
"And when’s the wedding?"
"Uh… yesterday."
"Yesterday?"
Harry nodded.
"And… you just ran off and…" Remus began.
"… And eloped. Yes," Sirius continued, glaring at Harry, who looked down at his shoes.
"And you didn’t tell… anyone?" Remus said. It was almost a whisper.
Harry shook his head. His left lace needed tightening, but damned if he was going to lean over to do it now.
"I see," Remus said. "I see why you were so upset, Padfoot," he said, turning to Sirius. "He didn’t even let us have a stag party for him."
"Well…" Harry began.
"He didn’t let you be his best man…" Remus continued. Sirius nodded in dismay.
"Actually…" Harry tried again.
"He wouldn’t even let us give him tips on his… Oh." Remus stopped. Slowly, he and Sirius turned to look at him.
"… Wedding night," they said in unison.
Harry blushed. "Actually, you did."
Sirius and Remus burst out laughing, and then suddenly Sirius had hold of him again, grabbing him around the shoulders and squeezing hard, shaking him playfully. "You little sneak!" Sirius crowed. "You even managed to keep it secret from us! I knew you were a Marauder at heart!"
Harry knew he was blushing furiously, but he was laughing too hard to care as Sirius managed to tickle him without releasing his grip on Harry’s shoulders.
Remus laughed along with them, "You are going to have to tell us how you managed to pull this off!"
Harry grinned at him mischievously. "I have…" He dropped his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "…connections," he finished, his grin widening even further.
Remus and Sirius both laughed at him, but before he could say anything more, they were interrupted by a knock at the front door.
"That’ll be Mr. - Dad," Harry began, then caught the look that passed between the two old friends. "I mean - Arthur. He said - but if -"
Sirius shook his head, cutting him off, as Remus went to open the door. Sirius put a hand on each of Harry’s shoulders and looked him squarely in the eyes. "You call them Mum and Dad if you want to, Harry. They’ve been parents to you more than anyone ever has, and now they are truly your family. Nothing in the world could please me more."
Harry shook his head slightly. "But you’re more a dad…" he began, but Sirius shook his head with a slight smile.
"I’ve always thought of you as being partly my own son," Sirius said quietly. "But you have more family than just me now." He leaned back slightly and simply looked at his godson. "I remember… so clearly, how excited your parents were when they learned they were expecting you. How long it seemed until you actually arrived." He looked up, distracted for a moment as Remus stuck his head into the room and motioned for them to join him and Arthur in the living room.
They followed, Sirius’ hand resting comfortably on Harry’s shoulder.
Sirius’ eyes swept over the room, including them all in his memories, but obviously focused on images in his mind. "Lily was so excited to be a mother, and James -" he laughed, "James was over the moon. We were all so nervous during her pregnancy… we were there all the time, helping out. I swear we must have driven her out of her mind. But she never complained. Not once." He turned to look at Remus, who had walked over and was standing next to them now.
"I remember their wedding," Remus began, laying a hand on Harry’s other shoulder. "It was lovely. Beautiful spring day, not a cloud in the sky. They were so happy. And when you were born… you were their baby. Their son. Harry, I’d never seen them so proud."
Sirius caught Harry’s gaze again, and Harry realized that his godfather’s eyes glimmered with tears that matched those in his own eyes.
"James and Lily would be so pleased with how you turned out, Harry," Sirius said quietly. "You were their pride and joy, and nothing would have made them happier than to see you happily married."
Harry impulsively wrapped his arms around his godfather again, his throat tightening, unable to think of words to possibly convey everything he wanted to tell Sirius at that moment. So he simply settled on the first thing that came to his mind.
He pressed his cheek against his godfather’s chest and simply murmured, "Thank you."
A/N: Anne and Marian - thanks so much for letting us play with and nurture this bunny. He's one of our favorites. If you have more, we'd love to babysit. ;-)
Outtake: The Reception