Fanfic: Have and Withhold 2b
Somewhere, Harry was crying.
James was in a dead sprawl between the front door and foot of the stairs. Sirius could only step over him because Harry was desperately pleading “Mum-mum-mum” between wails. Sirius climbed the stairs to Harry’s room. Less than two years old, Harry stood in his crib, reaching for his mother, who lie dead on the floor. Someone other than the Dark Lord had been here; someone who cared enough for Lily to place a pillow beneath her head and a light blanket over her, but not enough to take her baby to safety. Seems Voldemort had made Severus watch his childhood friend die; or had him kill her. Sirius spoke soothingly to Harry while lifting him out of the crib and changing his soiled nappy and clothes.
“Let’s see what Mummy and Daddy have in the cupboards for their little man to eat, hm?”
Hagrid and Dumbledore arrived while Sirius was spooning reheated mush into his godson’s miserable gob. “Mum-mum-mum,” Harry kept sobbing between mouthfuls. He fell asleep before the bowl was empty.
Dumbledore explained why Petunia’s was presently the safest place for Harry. Sirius bundled Harry into the blanket Lily’s mum had woven and practically shoved the poor bub at Hagrid then handed him Betty’s key. “Take my bike.” Sirius insisted then apparated away to hunt Peter down before Hagrid could reply.
What was the rodent prick playing at?
~~~
Sirius caught up with the worm in a street filled with Muggles. Peter’s terror wasn’t purely for show. Sirius intended to aim the full impact of his Black heritage on the cowardly turd. He should have killed him immediately upon discovery before he landed in the crowd, but he’d thought to capture him first to find out why. Peter suddenly grinned that sly, smirking, conspiratorial grimace in the middle of pleading for his life. A subtle flick of his wrist and the cement behind him exploded, igniting a gas line. Muggles died in the air and upon impact with the cracking, buckling ground. Sirius hadn’t time to shield them, had barely instinctively shielded himself. A finger landed with other debris. The pinkie ring wedged onto it belonged to Peter.
Sirius laughed in irate disbelief, wand still in hand and aimed at the disembodied finger as though a hale and whole Peter was going to grow out of it. Wormtail must have shielded Sirius so he would live, unharmed, to take the blame for this destruction. Evil cun- Aurors pounced to immobilise and detain him before he finished the thought. Sirius didn’t resist. He didn’t receive a trial. The first Aurors on the scene had seen what Peter wanted them to. Sirius could have been declared innocent on the spot had anyone bothered assessing his wand to ensure it performed the lethal spell. Then again, these Blacks were renowned for producing magic from another wizard’s wand without touching it. The Daily Prophet said so years ago, and had been inaccurate then, too. Regulus could do that, but only from his brother’s wand. Unspeakables had examined him and his wand in Dumbledore’s office because Peter fucking Pettigrew had mouthed off about the unique Patronus behaviour in a lesson full of Slytherins. None of the Unspeakables, nor Dumbledore, had been able to replicate it. The Marauders, Xeno Lovegood, and numerous Slytherins-including Severus Snape-had transcripts of their testimonies recorded for the Department of Mysteries archive. For once, Walburga was as proud of Regulus as Sirius was. It had been Walburga who claimed both her sons were capable of unique spell casting, and that Sirius abandoned his family to live with the Potters due to envying his younger brother’s superior talent. It had been funny to the Marauders at the time. Not now, though. He was convicted based almost entirely on their adolescent behaviour. After all, who could forget what Sirius Black did to Severus Snape, or how he treated Barty Crouch Jr. Never mind that James did most of the tormenting of Snape and Regulus made Barmy Squat pee his pants.
Sirius Black blames James Potter and Peter Pettigrew for the death of his brother Regulus…
…couldn’t forgive Potter for marrying a Mudblood and procreating with it…
…must have murdered his father and brother, too…
They’d blame Sirius for making Moony a werewolf, next.
A new publication, highly reminiscent of the student newsletter circulated by Xeno and Regulus, made equally inaccurate yet far more entertaining allegations.
His neighbours in Azkaban were less charming than the gossip editorials of the Daily Prophet and Witch Weekly. They were all guilty of their monstrous crimes. Their rage was aimed outwards. Sirius was innocent of murder, but his actions made those murders possible. His rage focussed inward. The Dementors guarding him had no idea what to do with that. “Ha, I’m innocent!” wasn’t pleasant enough for them to take nor unpleasant enough to leave behind, like a lozenge flavoured lollipop. They’d kind of give it a lick then leave it alone. Their confusion entertained him, for the first month or so. The constant presence of Dementors forced his memories to resurface in cycles: the Regulus arc, James arc, Death of James arc, Marauders arc, Remus, Severus, and Grimmauld Place Childhood arcs.
What was happening to Remus? Had Peter set up some horrible fate for him, too? What if he was dead? Xeno’s Quibbler would have mentioned that, if not the Prophet obituaries. What if Moony had been incarcerated? Werewolves tended to die in remand. How had Remus, Lily, and Harry possibly offended Peter? His beef against James and Sirius was obvious in hindsight. Particularly against Sirius.
Shit.
His thoughts returned to Regulus, the happy moments they’d managed to snatch as children. Had the seeds been sown then, before the enforced separation of Hogwarts and not as a result? He wished he’d confided in Lily then refused to let introspection defile the innocent fraternal interactions. He clearly remembered the first time he reacted with desire to his brother’s presence. They’d been at breakfast, waiting for their school notices to arrive. Regulus and Xeno spent summer studying Sirius’ old textbooks for the grade they’d be entering. Regulus balanced his spoon on his tongue without clenching his teeth around it whenever he turned a page or made notes, then flipped his tongue up to dislodge the spoon, deft fingers at the ready as the handle dipped, eyes not leaving the page as he resumed eating. Sirius was captivated. After several repetitions, Regulus noticed Sirius watching.
“What?” Regulus asked, holding his spoon vertical.
Sirius had not anticipated getting caught and was momentarily lost for a response. “Nothing,” he eventually replied.
“Idiot,” Regulus scoffed softly then continued captivating Sirius as before, oblivious to the fact that this was the first time Sirius experienced desire to kiss someone, gently touch their lips together, then firmly like he’d seen snogging couples do, then flit the tip of his tongue in. Sirius was originally more upset at not being disgusted by those thoughts than about the thoughts themselves. From conversations overheard between other students, Sirius expected to suddenly have those thoughts about almost everyone, and was confused when he only had them about Regulus. James was as instinctive, nimble, and fluid as Regulus on or off a broom; Remus almost as studious and definitely as serious about it; Peter as snarky. Attempts to think about kissing them or anyone other than Regulus grossed Sirius out. That was when Sirius knew he was an aberration.
Over a year passed in Azkaban before a different memory slipped into the cycle. He’d been in the school library researching love potions and antidotes, allegedly for an OWL essay on poisons. Remus was doing actual homework across from him.
“Why do you have all the books I’m looking for?” Regulus demanded, standing beside them with Xeno. Each already carried a small stack of books. “Did you do this?”
“Why would I?” Sirius retorted. Moony and Xeno exchanged apologetic grimaces.
“I suggest we consult Professor Slughorn directly since we harbour similar suspicions,” Regulus said officiously.
“I suggest you bog off,” Sirius replied.
“Such impressive master of colloquialisms!”
“Overcomplicated verbosity makes you more of an idiot,” and turned Sirius on a bit.
“Just go with him to Sluggy’s so I can concentrate,” said Moony.
Xeno shunted Sirius out of the chair hen sat there. Sirius scooped up the books he’d been referencing and dumped them on random shelves on their way out.
Regulus had a background story prepared by the time they arrived. “I’m concerned that someone is attempting to coerce my brother into an artificial romantic entanglement,” he told Sluggy. “His friends would find it amusing rather than intervene. They may even be the culprits. Sirius, being the one in thrall, is oblivious to the potential danger.”
Sirius thought Regulus oblivious to the potential danger of being pounced on by his older brother for being so clever. Why couldn’t he be an actual idiot?
“There are charms and potions to detect such tampering with emotions. I will need Headmaster’s permission to investigate.” Questions were asked while waiting for Dumbledore. The brother answered honestly in hopes of ending their traumatic affection.
“…source could be the home,” Sluggy quietly confided in Dumbledore while Regulus advised Sirius on which morsels were the best from the cakes and beverages Sluggy provided. “Personal knowledge of Walburga makes it dreadfully possible.”
“I’ll assist with the necessary tests. We’ll discuss the findings and decide what action needs to be taken without the subject present,” said Dumbledore. “I’ll ensure all parcels from home are inspected.”
“Have you ever received a parcel from home?” Sirius asked Regulus. “I haven’t, unless you count the Howler for having the gall to be Sorted into Gryffindor.”
“I received a broom when I became Seeker last year, but that most likely came from Kreacher.”
“That was from me.”
“Truly? Thank you, Sirius!” Despite his elation upon learning the gift was from Sirius, Regulus was disappointed that it hadn’t been from their parents. Sirius ordered it because he knew their parents wouldn’t bother and Regulus should be properly equipped when facing James on the pitch. He was already swift, agile, and precise on a trash school broom, but his efforts deserved to be rewarded.
“…Sirius is the one they can’t control,” he remembered Sluggy saying, which brought Sirius back to the reality of Azkaban.
The Dementors moved on.
~~~
Prisoners received newspapers so they’d know how long they’d been in and who died or thrived without them. Very few also received visitors. Barty Crouch Maggot was frequently visited by is ailing idiot mother. If ever a soul should get sucked…
Narcissa came to visit Bella.
“Go spend time with the sister worth visiting!” Sirius yelled through the bars of his cell door.
Narcissa was too coolly poised to let Azkaban influence her fashion sense or temper. She walked with her usual grace and dignity to Sirius’ door. “Where is Regulus?” Narcissa asked evenly.
“I don’t know.”
“Of course you do, you killed him.”
“Your husband is more likely his murderer. How can you trust him with Draco while you’re here?”
“Lucius is loyal to me. Regulus and Draco are important to me, and therefore important to Lucius.”
“He will betray you and your son if his Dark Lord tells him to. Regulus should not have been allowed near either of you, certainly not placed in the care of Bellatrix.”
“Severus has interesting ideas as to why you desired not to be your brother’s keeper.”
“Severus had interesting ideas on how to tell his friend he loved her. “Filthy Mudblood” proved to be the incorrect approach. Thank him for merely abandoning the Chosen One instead of smothering him.”
“Where is Regulus, Sirius?” Narcissa demanded. “At least allow me to bury him with respect. Or do you detest him that much?”
“I cannot reveal what I do not know. Bella’s toy-boy could have information.”
“Regulus could not abide that putrid toe-rag.”
“True, but Crouch Minor maintained a competitive obsession after being spurned. He probably kept my brother’s preserved corpse in a sex dungeon.”
“Must you be vulgar?”
“Vulgarity is the only joy left to me. If you learn what happened to Regulus, tell me, please.”
“You truly did not kill him,” Narcissa said ruefully and turned away. They never spoke again.
~~~
A representative from Magical Births, Deaths, and Marriages came to Azkaban to read Walburga’s will. Dementors escorted Sirius to and from the allocated room. There were lines marking a path along the floor, ceiling, and wall. A prisoner crossing any of those lines would immediately receive the Dementor’s kiss.
“Your mother’s death brought your brother’s will into immediate effect. This is the only definitive proof we have of Regulus Arcturus Black’s demise. Walburga left everything to Regulus, Regulus left everything to you and the House Elf, Kreacher. While Kreacher is to be treated as your possession, and you its contracted master, your brother’s will stipulates that you must not sell, dismember, maim, murder, or liberate Kreacher. The family townhouse at number 12 Grimmauld Place is bequeathed for you to reside in, should you be released, and may not be sold so is presently the property of the House Elf. Contents of the family vault are entirely yours. Some trinkets within the home are solely Kreacher’s. The Department tried to nullify this will, given your present circumstances and the irregular bequeathing of valuables to non-humans, but some archaic blood magic has sealed the contents as magical law and cannot be circumvented. When did your brother die, Mr. Black?”
Sirius answered honestly that he didn’t know then described how he found out. “Could he have been alive until recently?”
“No. His will definitively states that the blood traitor Potter and Peter Pettigrew are never to set foot in the townhouse without a specific curse befalling them and their bloodlines, proving it was not updated after your conviction for their murders. Paradoxically, the werewolf Remus Lupin may enter and seek sanctuary while you reside there. There is mention of an allowance for your progeny provided the mother is a pureblood witch. Nationality is irrelevant. Are there any?”
“None, bastard or legitimate,” Sirius replied because Regulus would stipulate.
“Congratulations, you are now the sole member of the House of Black. Sign here.”
“Why haven’t the Ministry confiscated everything now it’s mine?”
“They can’t find the house, access the vault, or address the House Elf. Everything vanishes when officials approach. Orion implemented the stringent crux of security and your brother added intricacies the Department of Mysteries cannot unravel. Regulus Arcturus was not immensely talented, but he was unique.”
“All spellcasting is unique since it is cast by individuals.”
“Rowena Ravenclaw,” the official cited the source of the quote.
Sirius shrugged. “It was my brother’s favourite excuse when his magic behaved contrary to expectation. I should have known he was plagiarising.”
~~~
A handful of years passed, according to the dates on the Daily Prophet passed to inmates, without which Sirius would never have known how to find Peter flaming Pettigrew.
“Who takes a ruddy rat with them on overseas holidays?” Sirius muttered at the front cover photograph of the Weasley family in Egypt. “Won the trip in a competition, well done Molly, maybe should have tried to win some contracept-LITTLE SHIT!” he exclaimed in fury after recognising the rat perched on the youngest Weasley lad. Ronald was close enough in age to Harry to be in the same year, probably both Gryffindors taking their parentage into account. Sirius double-checked which toe was missing on the front paw of the rodent who originally belonged to third Weasley spawn, Percy. Percy was now employed by Bartemius Crouch Original. Crouch’s shit of a son was dead, or almost, or something. Peter, however, was alive, and had been at Hogwarts almost the entire time Sirius had been in Azkaban!
“He’s at Hogwarts,” Sirius mumbled while thinking of ways to save Harry. What was Peter waiting for? He’d had two school years of barely restricted access to do something dreadful. How long had he plotted against James before acting? Sleep was the enemy despite being necessary. Sirius couldn’t waste valuable thinking time on sleep. He dozed because his body refused not to. Fed up after days of no progress, he shifted into Padfoot. Emaciated thanks to a dozen years of incarceration, Padfoot fit through the cell bars.
Dementors didn’t approach or pursue him as he trotted with canine nonchalance out of the prison between some visitors and down to the beach. He fed on shore birds and carrion to gather enough strength for the swim to the mainland then hunted and prowled his way to Little Whinging - where he accidentally frightened the bejeebies out of Harry, who looked so much like young James that Sirius almost lost his remaining marble - then to Hogwarts.
When Sirius finally met thirteen-year-old Harry as Sirius and not Padfoot, Harry intended to kill him. Sirius had no objection provided Harry allowed him to kill Peter first. On second thought, he’d rather not encourage his godson to become a murderer.
Remus- who’d become a professor! -came to the rescue and verified Sirius’ version of events. How it took Harry this long to notice Peter Pettigrew’s name on the Marauders Map was a question for another time, should Sirius survive the interference from Severus shitting Snape! Sirius couldn’t entirely hate Snape after Snape put himself between the three teenagers and full-lunar Moony, especially after their adolescent encounter, but could never entirely like him, either.
Dementors caught up with Sirius and Harry at the smaller lake in the Forbidden Forest. They were sucking out his soul - then they weren’t - then they were scheduled to. Sirius wished they’d stop dithering about and get on with it once he’d faced the fate of never encountering Regulus again in this life or beyond. Moony was there to protect Harry when there wasn’t a full moon. Bit of a bugger that the Wolfsbane potion merely managed but didn’t cure the lunar affliction. Sirius hadn’t cause for such combined happiness and misery in years. Moony was a teacher! How marvellous was that? Harry had two tremendous friends. Sirius hoped no ugly love complications developed between them in their future. The Dementor issue was a mixed bag. Oblivion meant being free of torment, but also no chance of making amends for the fates of his brother and friends.
He stared blankly out the large, barred window of the tower cell he’d been locked in - why such a structure existed in a school - until he began hallucinating hippogriffs. Well, one hippogriff, with a Harry and Hermione on its back. His back, Sirius corrected then wondered whether the hippogriff could be one of Hagrid’s hatchlings. Spawn thereof, possibly. How long did hippogriffs live?
“Sirius,” Hallucination Harry was saying, “let’s go!”
Right-ho, young James, thought Sirius. At worst he’d fall and survive. Same at best. He went to the window Hermione opened with magic and clambered on behind the children. Harry and Hermione referred to their transport as Buckbeak. Flying with two thirteen-year-olds on the back of the hippogriff cleared his befuddled mind. If not for the wind in his face and the pong of hippogriff combined with his own body odour, Sirius would suspect he was delirious and dying. Harry and Hermione told Sirius their plan for his escape, with assurances it was Dumbledore approved.
Sirius left Britain on Buckbeak, setting down in the nearest forest of the European mainland where he washed at a rivulet while Buckbeak quenched his thirst. They hunted wherever they went, Sirius in Padfoot form although he often resumed human shape to cook and eat. He wrote to Harry and Hagrid under the pseudonyms Snuffles and Witherwings, hoping Hagrid would be amused by the in-jokes. Sirius and Regulus often discussed travelling the world together while they were confined to the Discipline Room at home. After almost a full year living as Padfoot, Sirius sometimes struggled with living as a wizard. It felt wrong to enjoy himself. Harry was still in danger. Moony, too. Being alone had been easier in Azkaban. Buckbeak was no conversationalist.
~~~
Harry wrote about being entered into a Tri-Wizard Tournament against his will. Snuffles and Witherwings made their way back to Hogwarts. First port of call - Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade. No recent scent of Peter in either form. Good. He summoned Kreacher to communicate with Remus: Meet me where my pyjamas got caught in 6th year. That should be memorable enough. Unless that night was only so memorable to Sirius due to the chaste kiss exchange and light yet deep conversation between the brothers. So briefly had Sirius felt whole and cherished instead of fractured and miserable.
Sirius took a kip as padfoot beneath the protective whompers of the willow while waiting for Remus. He heard and felt the woosh of branches stop and got to his paws then his feet.
“I see you chose to remain fully clothed this time,” Remus said wryly, setting the branches to whomp again as they walked to a more secluded place.
“Semi-naked prison escapee and alleged mass murderer among teenagers is less morally acceptable than semi-naked teenager among teenagers.”
“Whereas semi-naked teenager among elderly professors…”
“Never crossed my mind. Rather wish it hadn’t now, cheers Remus.”
Sirius summarised his reason for being at Hogwarts then shifted back into Padfoot to approach Hagrid’s hut.
“Lookin’ a bit grey an’ worse f’ wear there, Snuffles,” Hagrid said and opened his door wide for the unexpected visitors. “Nice o’ Remus t’ take y’ in with Regulus gone and Sirius, well…” His enormous hand hadn’t left the dog’s fur since spotting him at Remus’ side. “Only fair ‘e takes care o’ yer after them years keepin’ ‘im company in the Shrieking Shack.”
“About Snuffles, Hagrid, if you just stop touching him for a bit,” said Remus.
Hagrid stepped back and Sirius revealed himself. Hagrid expressed reflexive disappointment. Sirius took no offense. Humans tended to be cruel to Hagrid, animals did not.
“Were y’ always Snuffles, or is ‘at new?”
“Since Fifth Year,” replied Sirius. “Regulus didn’t lie about Snuffles being at Hogwarts to ease our grief, or about keeping Remus company during his lunar alterations. He merely omitted that Snuffles is me. Letting Regulus see and name the hatchlings lifted his spirits like nothing else could.”
“He ‘ad a Care o’ Magical Creatures traineeship waiting for him if he hadn’t joined the Death Eaters. Though Astronomy and Charms departments wanted ‘im, too. You were too naughty to be offered anythin’.”
…it’s Sirius they can’t control… Sirius recalled hearing in Horace Slughorn’s voice.
“It’s Harry that Snuffles is here to protect now,” Remus said during Sirius’ fugue.
“Dragons bein’ brought in specially for that first challenge,” Hagrid said with pride and awe.
“Who would want to put Harry in that level of danger?” Sirius asked.
“Malfoy boy don’t like him,” said Hagrid.
“Draco’s dislike isn’t that intense,” said Remus. “Plus, he’d no opportunity or way to bypass the age barrier.”
“An Imperiused person of age?” Sirius suggested.
“Possibly,” Hagrid and Remus agreed.
“Draco might be capable of that, but someone would have put the idea in his head, and he’d need to know how to make the Goblet of Fire lose count. We can rule him out,” Remus added.
“Even if Lucius got to him?” Hagrid asked. “Harry liberated their House Elf year before they tried killin’ Buckbeak.”
“Lucius is about grandeur and posturing. That level of creativity would have to come from Narcissa, and she believes Unforgiveable Curses are crudely unimaginative.” Narcissa would have been proud of Regulus for not stooping to their use while being disappointed in his support of magical non-humans. “I’m going to Padfoot around in hopes of digging up something useful to share with Dumbledore.”
~~~
Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody didn’t smell right. It could be the wooden leg and whizzing eye he hadn’t had before Sirius went to Azkaban that made his scent familiar yet wrong. It could be the extent of spell damage he’d received in the intervening years. Sirius mentioned all of that to Dumbledore.
“Something does seem a tad off about Alastor, yet no-one is working as diligently at keeping Harry safe through these trials. Something about his interest in Neville has me on edge, so I shall trust your instincts and keep him under observation.”
~~~
It hadn’t been spell damage or prosthetics, but the pong of Barty Crouch Jr and Polyjuice confusing the sensitive canine nose. He’d been helping Harry disguised as Alastor Moody for the purpose of resurrecting Voldemort using some disgusting potion and spellcasting.
Harry was pale and wild-eyed from terror yet flushed from exertion, like a white doll roughly painted with blotchy pink. He clutched the infirmary sheets while describing to Dumbledore, Severus allegedly-reformed-Death-Eater Snape, and Sirius, what he could recall of the ritual and ghosts emerging when his Expelliarmus collided with Voldemort’s Avada Kedavra.
“I saw my parents. They told me to run. He’s back! He’s really back.” Dumbledore had Poppy Pomfrey fix Harry a sleeping draft then turned his attention to the genuine Alastor Moody, who’d been locked in the bottom of his magical trunk for several months so Barty could add fresh hair to Polyjuice to maintain his disguise. Sirius and Snape were forced to exchange information before Snape answered the Dark Lord’s summons.
“Lay low at Lupin’s,” Dumbledore said to dismiss Sirius.
Moony probably would not like that. They’d written since the escape with Buckbeak but had barely begun healing their friendship.
Remus had also inherited his parents’ house. His father was murdered in the first instalment of Voldemort’s war, his muggle mother passed recently in a nursing home. The mess Death Eaters made of her memory aged her prematurely. Remus had been her carer before having her admitted and accepting the role of professor.
“Dumbledore paid for Mum’s care,” Remus said as he turned on the lights and locked the door. The home was powered by muggle electricity and secured with magic. There was a special sound-proof basement for Remus to reside in during full moons. “Before then a private nurse would come when I couldn’t … You don’t need that explained to you.”
“We all loved your mum. I’m sorry she was forced into dwindling away like that. Must have been hard for both of you.”
“The hardest part was her forgetting I’m a werewolf, and a wizard.” Remus sighed gruffly then led Sirius to the kitchen and put the kettle on. “I’d say Dad was on a research trip whenever she forgot he was dead, then grieved with her when she remembered. I told her I needed dialysis to explain my absences and recurring weakness. One time she said “Shouldn’t they bring the appointment forward? What if you maul the technician?” and I cried. The nurse thought Mum was delusional whenever she mentioned the werewolf, but those were her sane moments. You don’t want to hear about-”
“Anything you need to say, Remus, I want to hear.”
“Why didn’t you invite me to come after Peter?”
“He’d hurt you, if he already hadn’t. It didn’t matter that I went to Azkaban. Harry had you and his muggle aunt. Your mother loved and needed you. I kept Harry alive and safe until proper help arrived. Further delay gave Peter further opportunity to wreak havoc.”
“Proper help? As though what you did was insignificant? You watched over him last year, and this, when it was dangerous for you to do so. This is why they made you his godfather!”
“Thank you, Remus.” Sirius was surprised by his vehemence.
“Carrying on as though you’re incapable of giving a fig about anyone but yourself,” Remus grumbled while pouring the tea. He shoved a delicate floral cup at Sirius. “Idiot.”
Sirius tried to sip politely but ended up laughing into his tea. Remus snorted. They chuckled.
“We’ll be alright again, between us,” said Remus, “even with the rest of the world going to shit.”
“Those students were a corruptive influence on you.”
Remus snorted again, not as harshly this time. “Draco is the blond midpoint between you and Regulus. Too Slytherin to be another you, too naughty to be Regulus. I find it difficult to dislike the little snot. If I hadn’t known either of you, I’d probably hate his arrogant guts. Biscuit? Kibble?”
“Biscuits baked for human consumption will suffice. What was the worst aspect of being a teacher?”
“Draco’s friends, pair of arrogantly ignorant and belligerent arsehats.”
Sirius chuckled. “And the best?”
“Reaching Neville, and students like him but Neville in particular. Being there when he finally understood and implemented a concept, witnessing the change in him, I was able to share in his triumph. It must be what parenting a small child feels like.”
“Only if you love the child. I encountered Xeno Lovegood’s daughter a few times. Not even his sister was that much like Xeno. He indirectly named his daughter after you, did you realise? Luna. Regulus would love that.”
“Not as much as he’d love Snuffles galumphing through the Black Forest with a hippogriff the pair of you named!” Remus countered happily.
Sirius grinned then grunted. “I missed him so much. He should have been the one to visit all those places with Buckbeak, not me.”
“Azkaban would have killed Regulus.”
“You liked him!”
“Not as much as you did,” Remus retorted. His immediate mortification made Sirius laugh.