Contains sex and bad language. You've been warned.
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Chapter One – Coming Home

The dog lolled on the platform, managing to look like it was lounging in its Seeing-eye Dog harness. It put a shaggy black muzzle on the knee of its companion, and the man scratched the dog behind the ears, smiling.

“Remus? Remus Lupin? My goodness, what’s happened to you?” asked a familiar voice.

“Hello, Molly,” said Remus, still stroking the thick black fur. “Magical accident. Snuffles here is my eyes.”

Molly Weasley patted his arm, gently, unsure of what to say. Remus’ eyes were blank white, and surrounded by red-raw scars.

“Oh, I’m so sorry! Ron said such good things about you as a teacher! I always saw you as a teacher when we were in school, ever since that silly peer mentoring that they introduced. Mind, you, Sirius wasn’t so bad, either,” said Molly. “That’s odd, the train’s late.”

“Sirius…I believe that Ron had a run-in with Sirius a while back,” said Remus, softly.

“Yes, terrible business. I could never reconcile it all in my own head. You and Sirius were close, weren’t you?”

“You could say that,” replied Remus, smiling fondly. “Is that the train?”

“Yes…who are you waiting for?”

“Harry,” replied Remus. Molly smiled, forgetting that he couldn’t see her.

“Really?”

“Yes; Albus and Artemis asked me in lieu of Sirius to take him,” said Remus, as the train slowed.

“Professor Dumbledore and…Professor Black? You still see her?” asked Molly, surprised. Remus nodded, scratching Snuffles’ ears.

“We worked together for eight years. She’s been keeping an eye on Harry, and feels it is time for us to step in. Besides which, Harry is James’ son, and I don’t want anything to happen to the only child of the four of us,” grinned Remus, as Snuffles barked at the train. “Are they getting off yet?”

“Yes, that looks like the first years. Hard to believe we were once that age, isn’t it?”

“I’ve parked the car, Molly,” said Arthur Weasley, approaching. “And who is…great Scott, it’s Remus Lupin! What have you done to yourself?”

“Hello, Arthur. Magical accident…how are you?”

“Well, well…busy as usual, looking forward to having the boys home,” said Arthur, his smile evident in his voice.

“Mum! Dad! You won’t BELIEVE what happened on the train!” yelled a voice, and Remus heard several people run up. “There was a boggart in the food trolley! And in the overhead locker! And in the last carriage!”

“It turned into a three headed snail! And a bleeding eyeball, and a giant hand!” That was another voice.

“And it turned into…” said a female voice, stopping. “Into the worst thing ever.”

“Where’s Harry?” asked Lupin, softly.

“Still on the train,” said the female voice. “Professor…Professor Lupin?”

“Yes, Ginny Weasley,” replied Lupin. “Are Ron and Hermione with him?”

“Yes, sir,” replied Ginny. Lupin nodded.

“I should go find him. I’ll see you later, Molly, Arthur. I may see if Harry wants Ron to come visit.”

“That would be wonderful. Take care, Remus,” said Molly, kissing his cheek. Remus let Snuffles guide him onto the train and down the corridor to Harry’s compartment.

“Professor Lupin!” said Hermione’s voice.

“Snuffles!” added Ron, grinning at Sirius. Sirius barked happily.

Lupin let go of the dog, and it ran to Harry, licking his face and wagging a long tail.

“What happened?” he asked.

“There was a plague of boggarts…they all zeroed in on Harry,” said Hermione.

“What did they transform into?” asked Lupin, casually.

“Everything,” said Ron, miserably. “Dementors…his parents…Cedric…and…”

“Voldemort,” whispered Hermione.

“Not a good start to the holidays, then,” sighed Lupin. “Harry?”

“Hello,” said Harry, still hugging Sirius. Sirius licked his face.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes. I think so. I mean, yes,” replied Harry, and Lupin offered him a hand up. “What have you done to your eyes?”

“It’s glamour. Well, a glamour in reverse…muggles don’t let dogs onto railway stations and into shops unless they’re a Seeing Eye or a Hearing Dog,” said Remus.

“What a brilliant idea!” said Hermione, looking at Remus closely. “It’s really effective. You look like you have been in a horrible accident.”

“Yes, that’s my cover story,” smiled Remus. “So why boggarts, and why Harry?”

“I don’t know,” said Harry, grabbing his case.

“Give a blind man your arm, if you are going to take his dog,” said Lupin, pleasantly, and Harry realized that his old professor was subtly allowing him the human contact that he desperately needed after the nightmare of the trip home without making that contact look…well…wussy. Snuffles took one of Harry’s cases in his mouth, and they all went out to the platform.

“Harry, dear, what happened?” asked Molly, hugging and petting Harry, who squirmed uncomfortably. He somehow felt that he should be more…manly…in front of his Godfather, even if Sirius was currently hunting for fleas on his hindquarters.

“Boggarts,” replied Harry. “I…um…should go.”

Remus recognized the feeling – not wanting to be around people. Molly turned her attentions to Ron as they made their getaway. Hermione’s parents were waiting nervously near the barrier, and Harry bid her goodbye, embarrassed but pleased when she kissed his cheek.

“Do you want a cup of tea or a drink before we go home?” asked Remus. Harry nodded.

“Sorry, Sirius. I just want to sit down,” he said. Sirius nosed his hand in assent. “Thanks. I mean it.”

Remus bought the tea and a very large iced chocolate for Harry, after putting up with the attendant talking VERY LOUDLY because as a visually impaired man he was clearly DEAF as well. They sat out in the sun, Sirius enjoying the warmth of the tiles in the café.

“I’m afraid that my house isn’t much,” said Remus, and Harry smiled, the chocolate warming through him.

“Anywhere is better than the Dursley’s.”

“I don’t doubt that. Siri spent the whole of last week setting up a bedroom for you – he is looking forward to this,” replied Remus, and Sirius thumped his tail in confirmation. “I am, too.”

“So am I. Th..thankyou, Professor,” said Harry, and Remus smiled over his mug.

“Remus, Harry. I’m not your teacher anymore, and titles make me nervous,” he said, and Harry nodded, looking at the drips of brown sliding around his saucer.

“Remus, why did you do it? Offer to have me for the summer? It’s not like you know me,” he said, suddenly. “For all you know, you could hate me.”

“I taught you for a year, you know. Neither of us is obliged to like the other, Harry. Sirius really wanted you to come, and I wanted to see both of you happy. That’s why,” replied Remus. “Nothing more sinister. I assure you that I am not a Death Eater in disguise – and if I were, I think you would be more than capable of defeating me.”

“I didn’t think…well, I sort of did…but you aren’t. I know you aren’t,” replied Harry. Remus smiled. “You’re too nice to be evil.”

“You know, that’s about the best thing anyone has ever said to me. You listening, Snuffy? Taking notes?” asked Remus, and Harry laughed, and then grabbed Remus’ hand as someone new approached.

“Remy, who is this charming lad?” asked a woman as tall as Sirius, with long grey hair pulled into a loose ponytail. “You didn’t tell me you were coming to London, sweetheart…my godfathers! What have you done to your eyes?”

“Illusion, Art. Harry, this is Artemis Black. She’s Sirius’ sister…she was our Flying teacher at Hogwarts,” said Remus, still holding Harry’s hand. Harry was trembling; it was too soon after the Boggarts. “Art, this is James and Lily’s boy Harry.”

“Hello Harry,” said Artemis with a smile. “James was one of my best students.”

“Hello, Ma’am,” replied Harry, thrilling, the warmth spreading from his stomach. For the first time, he had been introduced to a wizard not as “This is the famous Harry Potter” or “This is the Boy Who Lived”, but just as “James and Lily’s boy”. Just as the person he wished sometimes that he could have been.

“Art, this is a bad time. I’ll come by tomorrow…we’re on the Floo network now,” said Remus, pointedly, stroking the back of Harry’s hand with his thumb.

“Ok, baby,” said Artemis, and left as abruptly as she had arrived. Harry’s heart was racing from the surprise and the excitement, and he was still trembling. Remus looked at him with the unnerving white eyes.

“You’re upset,” he said, squeezing Harry’s hand before letting go.

“How can you tell?”

“Your pulse and breathing are racing,” replied Remus.

“You don’t miss anything, do you?” asked Harry, wryly. “She surprised me. Then you introduced me without tying me to…Him. I hate the way that I am always tied to Voldemort, even in a good way. Plus…the train…”

“I never thought of it that way,” said Remus, frowning. Sirius growled. “Snuffy, do you want half of my cake?”

Sirius nosed Remus’ hand in assent, and Remus slipped the cake to him.

“We’d best be going, soon,” said Remus. “I’ll just pay the bill.”

**********

Harry didn’t want to use the Floo powder, all too aware of what had happened when he had used it with the Weasleys, and he certainly didn’t like the thought of using a Portkey. Remus and Sirius took him to the room they were staying in at the Leaky Cauldron, and Sirius transfigured back to human and gave Harry a bone crunching hug.

“I have wanted to do that for about ten months now,” he said, grinning. Harry buried his face in Sirius’ shoulder, breathing in deeply. “You’re okay now.”

“No,” replied Harry. “None of us will be until Voldemort is dead. And nothing can bring back Cedric.”

Sirius met Remus’ eyes over Harry’s head. Remus looked away, all too aware that he was telling the truth. Neither man knew how to address the Boggarts in the train.

“Harry, we have to go home,” said Remus. “There are three choices – Floo Powder, Portkey, and Apparating.”

Harry started to shake again, and Sirius stroked his hair.

“I can’t,” he said. “I can’t. Everything always goes wrong. I can’t…”

“Harry…Harry…” said Sirius, softly. “It won’t go wrong.”

“It always does. I’ll end up dead in Knockturn Alley or He’ll kill you and I couldn’t…couldn’t…shit, Sirius,” said Harry, and Sirius pulled him to sit on the couch. “It always goes wrong.”

“Harry,” said Remus, gently. “Harry, come here. Sirius will take your cases and apparate and show you. We’re both strong enough to carry things…or people…when we move.”

Harry stood close to Remus, and Remus hugged him, hearing a small whimper from Harry when Sirius vanished.

“He’s not back!” said Harry, stiffening. “He’s not back! Remus…Remus…let me go!”

“He hasn’t been gone long enough yet…he’ll be putting the cases in the kitchen,” said Remus, as Harry punched and kicked him. “Harry, if I let you go, what will you do?”

“Run,” yelled Harry, biting Remus’ arm in a futile gesture of defiance. Remus growled in surprise, and Harry realized that he’d drawn blood. “I’m…I’m sorry!”

He looked at the blood, aghast, and then his head spun and he was vaguely aware of passing through places. Remus held him tight. “Don’t let go.”

Then he was aware of being in a kitchen, Sirius at the table, Hedwig perched on the handle of a kettle. There was dappled sunlight streaming in, in contrast to the clouds in London. Harry looked at Remus, who let go of him.

“Welcome home,” said Sirius, and Harry thumped Remus again, hard. He swore and kicked and punched, Remus not even blocking the attack.

“You bastard! You bastard! You tricked me! If…if…”

Sirius pulled him off Remus, and into his lap. Harry finally calmed down, shaking, exhausted, drained. Remus looked slightly ruffled, but his eyes were calm.

“We didn’t want you to work yourself up and make a disaster trip a self-fulfilling prophecy,” explained Sirius. “Remus is the only one of us strong enough to pull you here. I am still…recovering.”

Remus went to the cupboards and pulled out a cloth, dampening it in the sink. He knelt beside Harry and wiped the tears of frustration from his face with a gentle touch.

“I’m sorry, Harry, if I frightened you. You’ve been through a lot, you’ve handled it so well,” he said, and Harry looked at Remus. Remus had bloodstains on his robes, and bruises already forming on his face. Harry felt a little ashamed. “Do you want to talk about the trip home?”

“Th…thankyou,” he said. “I’d like to unpack now. Sirius, where’s my room?”

Chapter Two – I’m sorry; I didn’t mean it!

“Harry, we need to talk to you,” said Sirius, abruptly that night after dinner. Harry had been tracing patterns with his spoon in the ice-cream residue in his bowl, but he dropped the spoon with a clatter and froze. He had heard Sirius patching up Remus after their little fight, and knew that Sirius had been aghast at the damage he’d caused.

“What have I done?” asked Harry, and Sirius patted his hand, trying to disguise that the clatter had made him jump, and his heart rate skyrocket.

“Nothing. It’s what we’ve done. There is something you should know about in staying here,” said Sirius, and Remus nodded. “You see…this is hard to explain…”

“What is it?” asked Harry, pulse beginning to rise. What could it be? “I know about Remus’ werewolfism…You aren’t going to send me away for hurting Remus, are you?” He looked from one man to the other, and realized that both were excruciatingly nervy. Remus was playing with Sirius’ hair, not looking at Harry.

“No, it’s not that, never that. I’m fine. You see…Sirius and I have known one another a long time…” said Remus, clumsily. Sirius picked up his spoon, absently, and began to twiddle with it.

“You’re not moving out are you?” asked Harry, and Sirius laughed.

“No, nothing like that. Um. You might have noticed that there are only two bedrooms and three people in the house…” Sirius began. Harry looked at him quizzically.

“So you sleep on the lounge?” he asked. Then his brain kicked into gear. Of course Sirius didn’t sleep on the lounge.

“Um, he sleeps in a bed,” said Remus, fidgeting. “My bed.”

Harry suddenly realized exactly what they were talking about.

“So you’re a…couple,” he said, and Sirius nodded. Remus smiled uncertainly.

“Have been since school,” he said. “Um…we’ll understand if you are mad. We thought it would be best to begin without lies. Aside from tricking you into apparition…”

“I’ve never known anyone…gay…before,” said Harry. He smiled, trying to show that it didn’t matter. Of course it didn’t matter. Did it? Remus smiled back at him, and Harry realized that it didn’t matter, not when he felt so safe.

“This morose bugger, gay?” asked Sirius, and Remus tugged his hair.

“If I ever hear a pun like that in my house again, you are in for some serious punishment,” he said, and Harry laughed. “See, Paddy, I can even beat you at punning.”

“So are you…okay with all this?” asked Sirius.

“Do you love one another?” asked Harry. Both men nodded and answered in unison.

“Yes.”

The three laughed nervously at the timing.

“Do you…are you…my family now?” asked Harry. “I mean, I have no problem with two godfathers instead of a godmother but I just want…um… yeah.”

“Are you asking if we love you?” asked Remus, softly. He remembered feeling like that – and Sirius and James and even Peter telling him that yes, they did love him. Having a family, having people to rely on, had been the most important thing in the world at fifteen.

“I suppose…I am. Not like you love each other, but maybe like a…” Harry trailed off and mumbled the last word. “Godson.”

“Harry, as far as I’m concerned you may as well be my biological child,” said Sirius. “I swore to protect you as long as I could, to treat you as my own – of course I care for you. Remus cares for you too.”

“Then we’re a family,” said Harry, and Sirius hugged him tightly.

“Yes,” he said, and Remus nodded in agreement. “We’re pack. We’ll have to teach you to transform.”

“Sirius! It’s…” began Harry.

“Don’t you dare say it’s too dangerous, Harry Potter,” said Remus, reaching over and ruffling Harry’s hair. Harry flinched at the sudden contact, and then melted into it. “It is dangerous. You’ve done worse. No matter what, you have our love.”

Love. Harry blinked at the almost casual use of the word, and then let Sirius hug him, breathing in long black hair and the scent of Remus’ soap.

**********

It seemed like an age before Sirius finally climbed into bed, smelling like toothpaste and shampoo. Remus rolled over and rested his face in Sirius’ silky nape. The healing charms were working well – although he refused to let Harry’s bite heal magically. Sirius knew better than to confront Remus about these things.

“So you DO love me,” said Sirius, rolling over so that he could face his lover.

“Yes. I always have loved you, Siri,” replied Remus. Sirius kissed him, softly and leaving him wanting more. “We’re a family, Siri. A fucking family.”

“Language, Mr. Moony,” grinned Sirius, punctuating with kisses. “I nearly cried. Merlin, Remy…what has that poor kid been through? You’re so good with him.”

“He has us now. We can’t undo the past…I’m just thankful he accepted us. We even called him pack and he didn’t blink; we’ll have to make sure that we don’t influence his form into a canine or lupine one,” said Remus. “Siri, either stop that or go through with the promises your body is making.”

“For this, it’s almost worth it. Remy, I am so happy…I don’t think I’ve ever been so happy,” said Sirius, both hands caressing Remus’ face. Remus kissed Sirius’ fingers.

“Me either,” he said, before reaching up and pressing his lips to Sirius’, his mate deepening the kiss. Sirius caressed Remus’ face, Remus rolling him over to straddle him. Sirius looked up and laughed softly.

“My, aren’t we in control,” he said, grinning. “Professor.”

Remus kissed Sirius gently, and laughed when Sirius’ hips bucked involuntarily.

“We shouldn’t do this with Harry in the house,” he whispered.

“I put a one-way silencer on the room,” replied Sirius.

“I love you,” replied Remus, moving against Sirius’ crotch. “You like that, Siri?”

“God yes,” moaned Sirius. “Stop teasing, Moony.”

“No,” whispered Remus, climbing down Sirius, kissing his neck, chest, finding the sensitive spot on his belly that made him give a strangled gasp and buck his hips. He wanted to grab Moony’s head and force him onto his cock, but he let Remus tease him further until he was ready to scream and the light kisses on his belly and around his shaft. Remus gently removed all obstacles obscuring his access to Sirius, and Sirius groaned appreciatively at the light touch.

Suddenly he was taken into the warmth of Remus’ mouth. He hissed appreciation, tangling his fingers in Remus’ hair. Remus looked up across his chest at the bliss on Sirius’ face, as he took Sirius whole. Sirius’ features contorted as he came in a wave of heat which he tasted on Remus’ breath as he kissed his werewolf in the warmth afterwards.

“Inside me. Want you,” he breathed. Remus laughed gently, caressing his Sirius.

“What if I’m happy where I am?” he asked, and Sirius growled, flipping them over so that he was on top, so that he could control the gentle pressure as he pulled Remus into him. Remus hissed a laugh. “I’m much happier where I am now…”

“Good,” whispered Sirius, bending to kiss Remus, their mouths melting into one another, a little clumsily as their bodies moved with Remus’ thrusts. Sirius began to feel on the edge again, and he moaned into Remus’ mouth, which only made Remus harder, and deeper. He came in a rush, and then Sirius came again, both collapsing onto one another in the warmth of wonderful sex.

***********

Late that night, curled around one another, Sirius heard a voice, and Remus put his hands to his head.

“The wards! Something’s tripped every ward in the place!” he said, as Sirius looked around. They were in a graveyard, and he felt sick as he realized that this was the place that Harry had described. He heard voices but didn’t understand them as Remus cried out in pain.

“It’s Harry, he’s dreaming!” said Sirius. “Remy? Remy, look at me!”

Remus howled raggedly and pushed the dream away; breaking every ward he had set around the house in the process. He put his hand to his bleeding nose, ears ringing.

“Remy?” asked Sirius, once the flashes had died away. “Moony? Say something.”

“Something,” said Remus, with half a smile. “Merlin, Siri…I feel like my head has just been hollowed out. Oh god. I’m going to be sick.”

Sirius barely kept up with Remus as he ran to the bathroom, holding back Remus’ hair as his werewolf was sick into the sink. Sirius’ stomach knotted with concern.

“That was awful,” spat Remus. “Can I have my toothbrush? We should check on Harry. I think this might have something to do with what happened on the train.”

“Are you all right?” asked Sirius. Remus nodded, pale and shaking.

“Yes, I’m a bit shaky, but I’m fine. Let’s make sure Harry’s ok.”

Harry woke up with two concerned surrogate-parents sitting on his bed. Sirius nervously reached out and brushed his hair back, his other hand clasped in Remus’.

“Harry, how long have you projected your nightmares like that? They tripped every protective ward in the house,” said Sirius, uncertain of how to react. Remus nodded.

“My head’s still ringing. They were my wards. Are you ok?” he asked, his soft voice carrying in the dark.

“Um…yeah…no…I’m ok,” replied Harry. “Are you cross?”

“Do you want Sirius to stay in here with you tonight? He can transform…” said Remus, and Harry frowned.

“Um…this will sound really…daft…but can I…can I…stay in with…” He trailed off, but Sirius realized what he wanted, and finished the sentence.

“Sleep in with us?” asked Sirius, and Harry nodded. “I forget sometimes that you never have slept in with someone to vanquish monsters. It’s still effective – even when you’re old like me.” Yes, he thought, very effective. Especially if your bed partner kisses you out of a bad dream about dementors and no escape. Remus was still pale and shivering, but managed a wan smile.

Sirius picked up Harry in his blankets like a little child, and Harry had a strange image of himself with two fathers. He couldn’t imagine either of the men as a mother, not really. He liked it. No-one had ever done this before. They settled him between them, and he looked at the ceiling.

“So what was the dream about?” asked Sirius, shifting. He was trying to make conversation. Remus felt vaguely ill. “Anything to do with today?”

“Um, the cupboard under the stairs…but somehow the graveyard. I dreamed that I had to live there and watch everyone I love…die,” said Harry. “Not really horrific.”

“I have a dream where my shoes grow teeth and chase me, and it’s terrifying. Things can be scary at night but seem ludicrous in the harsh light of day,” replied Remus, dryly. Harry laughed, and Remus grinned in the dark. “I don’t think that your dream was like that, though.”

“Besides, that’s pretty horrifying. Why the cupboard under the stairs?” asked Sirius.

“The Dursleys…I lived there until a few years ago,” mumbled Harry. He was hardly daring to breathe – if he reached out a fraction of an inch he would brush Remus. He wondered what his dream had done, why Remus was so pale and cold.

“Under the STAIRS?” asked Sirius. “My god…if I ever...”

Sirius ruffled Harry’s hair, and Remus closed his eyes.

“It’s late. I’m going to sleep,” said Harry, wanting an excuse to be alone with his thoughts. He closed his eyes.

“Good idea,” yawned Remus. “See you tomorrow.”

Sirius mumbled something that sounded like “snarf” and Harry waited until the two men began to snore before rolling so that he was close to Remus. Remus stirred slightly, and put a friendly arm around him. Harry fell quickly into a sleep populated by dreams that he would never confess to having.

**********

Harry woke curled up against Remus, the werewolf awake but not moving.

“I’m sorry,” said Harry, automatically. He didn’t mean it.

“That’s all right. I think you needed it,” grinned Remus. “Sirius has decided to be domestic and make breakfast.” Sirius had taken one look at Remus and told him to stay in bed. Remus was deathly pale and there were dark bruises across his face and arms. Harry saw the plaster where he had bitten Remus, and flushed.

“I should help him. Um…thank you, Remus,” said Harry, looking at the werewolf. Remus’ eyes were both black, and he looked exhausted.

“What for?” asked Remus, surprised.

“Um…just letting me be close. I’m going…downstairs,” said Harry, uncomfortable. Remus smiled at him, a little unnervingly.

“That’s fine. Watch out for the Kneazle…her name’s Tink,” he said, and Harry got up. Remus rolled over and went back to sleep until Sirius leaned over him and kissed him.

“Wake up. Breakfast is on the table, and we’d appreciate your presence,” he said, tangling his fingers in Remus’ hair. “How do you feel after last night, love?”

“Like hell. We’re setting the wards together this time. I think I’ll die if I have to go through that again,” replied Remus. Sirius shuddered and drew Remus close.

“Don’t even joke about it.”

“I wasn’t joking. Siri, Harry did some real damage last night. He’s strong – stronger than you or I. Probably than both of us put together…Siri, we need to train him,” said Remus. Sirius kissed him, stroking his hair.

“Merlin, Moony. Are you certain?”

“I judged how strong you were, didn’t I?” asked Remus, and Sirius nodded.

“Do you want your breakfast up here, love?” he asked. Remus shook his head, then winced. “You should stay put.”

“No, Harry is bad enough already, and I think he knows that he is the one who hurt me. I’m getting up,” he said, and Sirius put an arm around his waist to help him to breakfast. “We need to start soon. I don’t know how much more of this my body can handle.”

Sirius gave him his arm, and Remus made it downstairs. Harry stood when he saw Remus, uncomfortable. He had guessed that his nightmare had somehow affected Remus in a different way to the way his nightmares usually affected people. He also watched the way that Sirius treated Remus, all but cutting his food for him.

“Harry, we need to talk about what happened yesterday,” said Sirius, and Harry nodded. “Everything. From the boggarts on the train to the nightmare.”

“The train…I don’t know what happened. I don’t know how they got there.”

“If someone wanted you to suffer but not to physically harm you, it would be a good trick,” said Sirius, frowning, “I think it was probably the Malfoy brat.”

“Draco? Yes, he is good enough to subdue a boggart for a while,” said Remus. The pair looked at him. “What? I taught him for a year, including exams and reports. I know the skill of every Hogwarts kid.”

“Then Voldemort knows it. He was part of Quirrell. He must have seen the marks…” said Harry. “Everything comes back to him. I hate him.”

“Not everything,” replied Sirius. “Only if you let it. We don’t come back to Voldemort.”

“If he hadn’t killed my parents, I wouldn’t be staying here,” said Harry. Sirius laughed, softly.

“Yes you would. You think you would have escaped being corrupted by your loving godfather?” asked Remus, dryly. He toyed with his food, not really eating.

“Not to mention everyone’s favourite werewolf,” added Sirius. “You don’t come back to Voldemort. The sum of your life’s experiences, the person you are, is not him. You are Harry. You are not responsible for saving the world, and don’t you ever forget it.”

“But how can I not try?” asked Harry. “Then it goes all wrong, and even when I don’t try I still get mixed up in it all…”

“Harry, thinking like that can make you doubt those dearest to you,” said Sirius, taking on an odd tone. “You can’t not try to do the best that you can. At the same time, do not take the weight of the world onto your shoulders. One person cannot hold it.”

“It isn’t your fault,” added Remus. “Listen to me. We cannot control everything. Remember that I am what I am, and I know now that it is not my fault that I was bitten, not my fault. It is not your fault that your life is dogged by Voldemort, but it is not everything that you are.”

“How is it not?” asked Harry. “Even the fucking boggarts…they never turn into normal nightmares for me.”

“What is a normal nightmare?” asked Sirius. “Harry, we do not love you because of Voldemort. That’s…wrong.”

“Get real!” spat Harry. “I wouldn’t be here if my parents weren’t dead…if you didn’t pity me…You would have sent me away for attacking Remus. I almost killed him last night with my nightmare, didn’t I? You don’t want me here to kill him, you just feel obliged to let me stay!”

“Harry,” said Remus, and Harry ignored him. “Harry!”

“Don’t tell me that you don’t hate me because I won’t believe you.”

“I don’t hate you,” said Remus. “We wouldn’t have sent you away. Why would we have sent someone so important away? You were important to us from the day Lily told us that she was pregnant…we will never have children, Harry. We can’t. You were the child of the Marauders, the child of all of us. You are important because you are Harry, you matter because you are the Potter’s child, not the Potter’s orphan. We swore to protect you and we swore to teach you and we would have done that regardless of whether we were protecting you from bullies or boggarts or Death Eaters. Don’t imagine that your life would have been any less tied to Voldemort if your parents had lived. What do you think they DID? You would still have had to stay with us sometimes for your safety, as well as to please two old men who want to live vicariously through you.”

“You aren’t old,” whispered Harry. He watched Remus like a hawk – Remus pushed his hair back and caught Harry’s eye. Sirius kissed Harry’s temple. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be,” said Sirius. “We know.”

Harry got up, then, and quietly began to clear the table. The air was thick, and he broke the silence when his hand brushed Remus’. The contact spiked through him like electricity – or magic.

“So are you okay?” he asked, nervously. “What happened last night? What are wards?”

“Wards are protective spells. I have had them around the house since before Siri came home,” said Remus. “I strengthened them recently. We will put them back up today…last night your dream stretched them out, and the spells drew on my magic so that they wouldn’t break. I had to break them…so my magic tried to contradict itself. It wasn’t very fun.”

“So that manifested physically?” asked Harry. Remus nodded.

“Your magic is in every part of you – your blood, your bones, your organs, and your soul. When you overstretch it, you overstretch your whole body. If you go too far, you die,” he said. Harry looked away. “It’s okay. We’ll all repair the spells together – that way we’ll all have a migraine next time. Are you up to Floo Powder? We’ll need some supplies from Diagon Alley…we’ll go tomorrow.”

Harry smiled shyly and nodded, and Remus smiled back. Harry noticed how beautiful Remus’ eyes were, and the soft waves of his hair before he had combed it. He suddenly realized that there were butterflies in his stomach, and turned away, embarrassed.

***********

“Dad, can I have this?” asked Harry, and Remus nearly broke inside. He had let Harry come shopping, reasoning that it was too dangerous to leave him alone, and an elderly witch had commented on Remus’ handsome son. Harry had smiled wickedly and begun calling Remus “dad”. Remus decided to let him continue, realizing that Harry had not known a father, and that he was trying to forget that they had to apparate back.

“A magical mirror? No. They’re bad news, son,” he said, playing along. Harry crossed his arms.

“Pleeeeease?” he said. Remus reached down to Sirius, then. Harry looked so much like James, so much like the past. “What it is?”

“Nothing,” replied Remus, quickly. Harry took his arm.

“Nothing doesn’t make you cry.”

“I’m sorry,” replied Remus, but refused to say any more. “No mirrors. Not ever. Not unless you become an experienced scryer.”

“Even then, they have dangers,” said a dry voice. “Lupin.”

“Hello, Severus!” said Remus, smiling. Severus scowled half-heartedly. “Art tells me that you two finally made amends.”

“Glad to see you are taking somewhat competent care of wonderboy here,” snarled Severus. That remark about the former head of Slytherin had cut deep – because Severus had tried to model his behaviour on hers, and found himself lacking.

“Harry? Yes, I felt it meet that he should not go back to those awful people,” he said, and Snape smiled fleetingly, then remembered to scowl.

“So he has gone to live with a werewolf. Good choice, Lupin.”

Harry was about to say something, then he realized from the expressions on the faces of the two men, that they were enjoying teasing one another. Sirius, however, was growling. He barked, sharply, and even Harry could understand him. MINE!

“Your dog wants to kill me. Why the glamour and the dog? Looks like Black.”

“Safety. He is just jealous that someone is paying his master attention,” replied Remus, nonchalant. “Are you busy, Severus? Would you care for lunch, one dark creature to another?”

Harry wanted to thump Lupin. Was he mad? Snape was a Death Eater, be he good or not! Besides which, did he REMEMBER what had happened in the Shrieking Shack?

“I can’t. Busy. Thankyou, Lupin,” said Snape, and Remus nodded. “I’ll speak with you later. There are things we need to talk about.”

“Certainly,” said Remus, a warning hand on Sirius’ furry neck. Harry watched Snape stalk away. “Poor Sev. He tries so hard to be alone.”

“He’s insane,” replied Harry.

“Not insane. Just taught that he shouldn’t rely on anyone. Severus was prenticed to Sirius’ mother, then Siri’s sister looked after him. Sev never trusted either of them,” said Remus. “Harriet Black. You were named for her. She was the best Potion-brewer in three centuries.”

“I was named for her?” asked Harry, wondering about Lupin calling Snape “Sev”.

“She died while we were all still at school. James adored her with all his heart – we all did. I remember the funeral,” said Remus. “Lily was the one who suggested we call you Harry.”

He had the far-off look to his eyes again, so Harry nodded, and made to leave, firstly slipping an arm into Remus’. He wanted to heal the hurt, and knew he couldn’t – and that hurt even more.

Chapter Three – Overstretched

Sirius sat on the grass, trimming an ancient broomstick as Harry walked out, carrying his broom.

“Good, we need someone with a decent broom to do the northwest. Is that the one I sent you?” he asked, grinning.

“Yeah. It’s been brilliant,” replied Harry, sitting beside Sirius. “Is that yours?”

“No, it’s Moony’s. He hasn’t used it in a while, he claims. It’s disgusting,” replied Sirius. “Harry, we are going to train you as much as we can this summer. You have a lot of power, which you need to harness, because it is only going to increase.”

“I do?” asked Harry. “I guess so.”

“You do,” replied Sirius. “You need to start testing its limits.”

“Sirius, when did you and Remus become…um…you and Remus?” asked Harry, pulling up the grass. Sirius smiled.

“At school. Not long after I almost killed Snape…not long after my parents died. It was a bit of a shock, really. No-one had ever spoken to me about liking boys,” replied Sirius. “I hope you don’t think we’re perverted, or anything like that.”

“No, no…I don’t,” replied Harry, laying back to look at the sky. “How did you know it was love?”

“Um…at first it was the warmth I felt when I saw him, the feeling of happiness when he noticed me…” replied Sirius, uncomfortably. “Then it was lust, which I’m sure you know about, then…sort of feeling like we belonged, feeling lonely without him there, thinking of him all the time. Things become less urgent, but the happiness remains. I hated Azkaban, it sucked all that Remus had given me away.”

Harry looked up, surprised to hear his godfather mention Azkaban. Sirius looked across to the house, and saw Remus approaching.

“Is there someone you’re in love with?” asked Sirius, casually. Harry sighed.

“Yes, but they don’t know it,” he replied. Sirius smiled.

“Take the chance. I did,” he replied, and Harry smiled tightly, watching the smooth way Remus walked across to them, his stomach flipping. Remus flopped down on the grass, and Sirius handed him the old broom.

“There. Good as new,” he said, and Remus laughed softly. The bruises had healed quickly, and Harry noticed how long his eyelashes were. “Ready for some spellcasting, old friend? You aren’t tired from shopping?”

“I’m ready, Sirius,” replied Remus. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Harry, are you?”

”Yes!” said Harry, quickly. Sirius smiled.

“You won’t be so happy after we’ve cast it. It’s hard work. We are effectively blanketing the area with a spell – stretching it out then fixing it up in the air. It will continue to expand and make its way to the ground, although we have to carry the charm up there,” said Sirius. Remus handed Sirius a wand that Harry knew was Remus’, and he watched Sirius conjure what looked like a small square of glowing fabric. “Don’t worry, we’re casting the spells, so you won’t get a Ministry letter.”

“Get on your broom and take a corner. You want to stretch it out so that you are above the Oak over there,” said Sirius. “Remy, are you sure you’re all right to take a piece?”

“Yes,” said Remus. “Harry, don’t let go once you’re up there. When you get to your corner, concentrate on fixing the spell there. The spell will know what to do. Let’s fly.”

***********

Remus was climbing high on his corner, and Harry watched him struggling with the lines of power that marked the charms. He wondered why Remus was having trouble, when Sirius claimed that Remus was a stronger wizard…then realized that the breaking of last night’s wards was something that must have really hurt Remus, coupled with the effort of apparating. He was a good flier, much better than Harry had expected.

Sirius gave them all the signal, and Harry held the lines, concentrating on fusing them, setting them. There was a tin taste in the back of his mouth, and he was suddenly fighting to keep them up – they were so heavy, and they moved in his hands.

With a crack like a whip, the ward set. He watched Sirius sit backwards on his broom and breathe, suddenly acutely aware of all of the sentient occupants in the space. Both Harry and Sirius turned to Remus’ corner as they felt before seeing; Remus’ side was firmly fixed, but as the spell had completed, he had fallen from his broomstick.

Both Harry and Sirius flew like dragons to catch the falling body, and Sirius got there first, catching Remus, cradling him on his broomstick. Harry flew in close, snatching the fallen broom.

“What happened?” asked Harry, feeling weak and shaky, almost paralysed.

“You felt how hard it was, setting the spell. He was already…hurt,” said Sirius raggedly, holding Remus tight. Harry felt worry spike up through him. He knew what happened to wizards who overstepped the bounds of their power – they usually didn’t survive it.

“Will he…die?” asked Harry, surprised that his voice wasn’t shaking.

“Not if I can help it,” snarled Sirius, and Harry flinched backwards at the tone of Sirius’ voice. “You hear that, Moony? I didn’t spend that long in Azkaban to lose you now.”

Remus didn’t move as Sirius landed, laying him on the ground, cradling his head.

“Give me your wand!” he barked, and Harry obeyed, realising that Sirius really did have no wand. Harry had never seen the spells that Sirius used, and he watched them weave around Remus. Sirius was muttering to himself, how to correct, how to compensate for the unfamiliar tool. “Put your hand on him!”

Harry folded his trembling hands around Remus’ cold, blue hand, and Sirius laid a hand inside his lover’s shirt, over his heart. Sirius looked at Harry, and Harry felt like the warmth was draining from his hands into Remus. Sirius was getting paler and paler, and his hand was turning blue. Suddenly, Remus gasped, opening his eyes.

“Remy!” said Sirius, hugging him tightly. Harry hugged both of them, and the three snuggled on the grass together. “Shit, don’t you ever do that again!”

“Did it take?” asked Remus, barely audible.

“Yes, it took, you silly sod. Harry and I could have done it together – what possessed you to get out there when you knew you couldn’t handle it?” asked Sirius, lovingly.

“Had to secure the place,” smiled Remus, as Harry hugged him tight. “Sorry, Harry.”

He passed out again, and Harry stiffened. Sirius pulled Remus onto his broom.

“It’s ok now. He needs to rest…he’ll be…oh, shit!” he said, looking at the sky. There, framed by the trees, pale in the thick blue sky, was a moon a day off full. Harry looked up and felt a sinking feeling. The moon. What would happen if Remus wasn’t well before full moon? He looked at Remus, his pale face seeming ageless. Sirius lifted off the ground again, Harry tagging behind feeling useless.

************

If Harry hadn’t been expecting the Apparition, he would have been shocked at the signals that rippled through the wards of the house. Sirius had quickly become grave again upon realizing that the moon was near to full, and had sent Hedwig off with a message to Dumbledore, begging for help. Harry felt hopelessly useless.

Snape stood in the front yard, looking at the winding roses that climbed the cottage walls. Harry looked at him, uncertainly.

“Professor Snape?” he asked. “Come in.”

“Hello, Potter,” replied Snape, walking past him into the cottage. “Where is he?”

“Upstairs.”

“You’ll have to show me. I am not in the habit of calling on ex-convicts and werewolves for social calls,” he said. Harry nodded. “What happened?”

“He overstretched himself. I thought Sirius told you?” he said.

“Sirius told me you made Remus break the wards,” replied Snape. “He didn’t tell me how or why you did so, just that you almost killed his pet werewolf.”

“I…” began Harry, as Snape followed him. “It was an accident.”

“Accident or not, it was not a wise thing to do,” snapped Snape, striding past Harry in a flurry of robes. “Sirius.”

“Snape,” replied Sirius, nodding slightly. “Albus sent you?”

“You think I would have come of my own volition?” asked Snape, and Sirius nodded.

“If you hurt him, they won’t find your body.”

“Very encouraging,” replied Snape, sitting on Lupin’s bed. “What happened?”

“Hello Severus,” said Lupin, and Harry watched Snape’s expression soften for an instant. “I seem to have overstretched myself.”

“You’re an idiot, Lupin,” replied Snape, and the tone of his voice was at odds with his words. “Full moon is coming.”

“I know. It was an accident,” replied Lupin, taking Snape’s hand. Harry could have sworn that he heard Sirius growl. Harry certainly felt like growling – how dare Snape command the attention of Remus, have the beautiful gaze focused on him? “I’m sorry you had to come all this way.”

“I have your usual Wolfsbane, and I have something else,” replied Snape, pulling out two bottles from his robes. “It’s a restorative.”

“Severus, this is…thankyou,” replied Lupin, as Sirius’ hand tightened on Harry’s shoulder.

“Drink it, you idiot,” snapped Snape. “I want to get out of here. I feel like I’m in a zoo with this lot watching me to make sure I don’t finish the job that Potter started.”

“Hey!” said Sirius, as the knot of guilt in Harry’s stomach tightened. “You aren’t here to make comments about my godson!”

“Far be it from me to state the obvious,” replied Snape, raising an eyebrow.

“That wasn’t fair, Severus. Harry didn’t mean to…” began Remus, and Harry smiled weakly. Remus still liked him.

“Almost kill you. Quite. Let me look into your eyes…you shouldn’t have used those healing charms. They give the illusion that everything is all right, you idiot. You shouldn’t have done any magic today at all, and you wouldn’t have if you’d kept the injuries,” said Snape, brushing Remus’ hair back from his forehead. This time, Sirius really did growl. “Stop it, Sirius. I’m not here to steal your boyfriend away from you.”

Harry really wanted to hit Snape this time, and only just grabbed Sirius before Sirius did.

“Siri, how about you put the kettle on? Harry can keep an eye on me,” said Remus, and Sirius nodded, aware of the tension in the room. Harry swallowed uncertainly, but he nodded assent.

“Why is he reacting so badly?” asked Snape, when Sirius had left the room.

“He loves me, and you threaten that. Remember that Sirius and I have been apart so long…remember that I lived with Artemis, so there is a lot unresolved there. He suspects you may have stayed with us then…”

“So in other words, he thinks that we will continue our…relationship,” replied Snape, smoothly.

“He doesn’t know about us. He only suspects,” replied Remus, as Harry tried not to stare, and realized that his hands had balled into fists. How dare Remus? With Snape?

“You love him.”

“Yes. More than anything,” replied Remus. “Sorry.”

“I understand,” said Snape, and all three were silent as Remus began to get his colour back. Sirius stalked back in and set down four cups. “I haven’t killed him.”

“Good,” said Sirius, and Harry almost opened his mouth to tell the secret, but then closed it. Some things are better left unsaid. Especially if Remus trusted him not to tell. Remus trusts me, thought Harry, and the thrill of privilege spun down his back.

Chapter Four – This. Is. Not. Happening.

Harry walked into Remus’ room to discover that Sirius was not there, and Remus was asleep, his face seeming younger and more attractive. He sat on the bed and brushed the hair away from Remus’ face, surprised at how soft the werewolf’s skin was.

“Harry?” asked Remus, and Harry kissed him. Remus was just responding nicely, his slight stubble scratching against Harry’s cheek…when Harry woke up.

He got up out of bed, wandering down to the kitchen to get a drink, thinking. The kitchen was clearly outlined in the strong light of the full moon, and it took three glasses of water plus more splashed onto his face to calm his pulse. This Was Not Happening. He was not in love with his godfather’s boyfriend. It felt like Oedipus gone horribly, horribly wrong. He went back upstairs to have Padfoot meet him on the landing, grinning a doggy grin.

“Hello, Sirius,” said Harry, feeling horribly guilty. Padfoot nosed Harry towards his and Remus’ bedroom, and Harry wondered why, then realized that his godfather thought that Harry was having nightmares again. It would look suspicious if he didn’t follow.

He had never seen Remus transformed before. Remus was BIG. Harry had thought that Padfoot was a substantial canine, but compared to Remus he was a puppy. Padfoot jumped onto the bed, and nosed his werewolf, some form of communication clearly occurring, but Harry didn’t understand. He understood when the pair turned to him, and Padfoot wagged his tail. Harry sat on the bed, and Padfoot nosed his hand to pet Remus’ thick fur. He was safe – the Wolfsbane potion was working.

Harry lay down, and Padfoot licked his face, laying his head on Harry’s side. Moony sighed a lupine sigh, and Harry scrunched his hands into Moony’s fur, falling asleep feeling perfectly secure and comfortable.

Next morning, he woke before Remus and Sirius, the sun warming across him. Remus was human again, and…naked. Sirius’ feet twitched in some dream of chasing across fields in the past with his three best friends, and Harry lay embarrassingly awake, staring at Remus. Oh my goodness. Those robes certainly hid a lot, didn’t they?

Get a grip on yourself, thought Harry, then the subversive side of his brain sniggered. What a good idea. Horrified, Harry all but jumped out of bed and ran back to his room, locking the door and slumping against it.

The curve of Remus’ collarbone, and his neck and how the eyes naturally progressed down the body played through Harry’s brain. Sure, he’d caught glimpses of other naked men before – in the showers, changing for Quidditch – the male body wasn’t so extraordinary. What made it extraordinary was that it was this male body. He realized that he had his hand inside his pyjama pants, and recoiled.

Then he put his hand back there, and closed his eyes and tried to think of Cho, but somehow she seemed to have strong forearms and Remus’ eyes.

***********

It was Sirius who suggested that they take a picnic out to the lake, despite the fact that Remus was still quite pale and shaky. Sirius begged and pleaded and assured Remus that he would be really good, and pack lunch, and they could share a broomstick, just PLEASE. Harry wondered at Sirius’ insistence, but said nothing.

Remus broached the subject when Sirius went upstairs to take a shower.

“It’s a beautiful day. He likes to spend time outside – he had no windows in That Place,” said Remus, apropos of nothing, looking out of the window. “I know I shouldn’t go out, but I can’t deny him.”

“You love him more than Snape?” asked Harry, and Remus smiled at him, making his heart thump. Stop it, he told his heart. You have no business thumping for Remus.

“Yes. I thought overhearing that might help you to understand a little, Harry,” said Remus, walking stiffly over to the kitchen bench. “We should start making lunch.”

“Sit down, I’ll do it,” replied Harry. Remus moved to stop him, then gratefully collapsed into a chair. “I’m good at cooking. I did a lot of it at the Dursley’s.”

“We need you here then…Sirius is a wonderful man but a lousy cook,” replied Lupin, grinning. “He always liked food, never understood it. Comes of growing up with too many house elves.”

“What attracted you to him? And to…Snape?” asked Harry, cutting up a tomato. Lupin laughed softly.

“Sirius is what you could call…a soul mate, I suppose. We fit together…I almost died when he went to Azkaban,” he replied. Harry nodded, feeling very grown up.

“Broken heart?” he asked. Remus laughed.

“No, I attempted suicide after getting addicted to dreamless sleep potions,” replied Remus, and Harry dropped the knife. “I am not going to let you grow up in a rose tinted world, Harry. Sirius thinks that we should protect you from all that is nasty in life, he thinks you’ve seen enough. Yet if we mollycoddle you, we teach you to grow up with unrealistic expectations.”

“I just didn’t think you would…”

“Do something like that?” finished Remus. “Why?”

“You’re always so calm…in control. I wish I could have that much control,” replied Harry. Remus nodded.

“You’ll meet someone, someday, who you can’t control yourself around,” he said, and Harry sliced into his thumb. “Harry!”

“It’s ok, I just slipped,” replied Harry. Remus got up and pulled down the first aid kit, his touch the firm touch of someone used to patching others up as he put a band-aid over Harry’s cut. Harry could hardly breathe at the proximity and tenderness of the touch.

“Are you ok?” asked Remus, as Sirius walked back in. “He cut himself.”

“You all right?” asked Sirius. Harry scowled – he felt like a little child again, with two mothers.

“He’s fine,” said Remus. “You ready to go, Siri?”

Sirius nodded, and Harry caught the wicked gleam in Remus’ eye.

“Good. You can finish making lunch.”

************

Remus looked up from his book at Harry and Sirius playing in the lake, Sirius trying to catch Harry to duck him under, but being totally unable to, Harry escaping each time. The sun was warm and there was enough of a breeze to carry the heat but not make the day unbearable either way. Harry waved at him, and Remus grinned, waving back.

Sirius took in a deep breath, delighting in the water and the slightly slimy lake bottom and the glorious heat of the day. Harry smiled at him.

“This was a good idea.”

“I love being out of doors. So does Remus, but he’ll never admit it. I hated…hated Azkaban…” said Sirius. Harry grinned. “Do you lot ever swim in the lake up at Hoggy’s?”

“Not really. We did once…Hermione wore a bikini and Ron nearly had heart failure,” replied Harry, and Sirius laughed broadly.

“What about you?” he asked and Harry flushed.

“I’m still…still deciding,” he replied. Sirius nodded.

“I wouldn’t worry too much. When I was your age, I chased everything that moved,” he said, grinning.

“And some things that didn’t,” said a dry voice, and Harry turned to see Remus sitting above the lake on the picnic blanket. “How long have you owned this unregistered magic carpet, Sirius?”

“Um…a while…” replied Sirius, chuckling. “Come and join us, Moony.”

“I’m quite comfortable where I am, thankyou,” said Remus, tauntingly. Sirius made a grab for him, and he took the carpet up a few more feet, then brought it back down. Harry laughed as Sirius lunged for the carpet and brought carpet and werewolf down into the lake, tussling and kissing.

“Break it up, you two!” he laughed, pouncing on them. Remus pulled off his sodden shirt, leaving only his shorts, and bundled it onto the carpet, which flopped ashore and stretched out in the sun to dry off. Sirius had both his arms around Remus’ waist, and Harry was jealous. When he wasn’t slyly taking a peek at Remus’ bare chest.

“I’m going to get you for that,” said Remus, lazily. Sirius kissed him.

“I’ll look forward to it,” he replied. Harry laughed, swimming away from them to float on his back and look at the clouds. This had to count as one of the best days ever. Remus had brought a radio and tuned it into a station like none Harry had ever heard before – a mixture of the songs that the three of them liked to hear. He knew that Sirius liked rock music from the time before Azkaban, but had been surprised to discover that Remus liked calm, smooth jazz. The songs floated out over the water as he watched the clouds drift and forgot that he was Harry Potter, forgot the darkness and let the drift of clouds and water overtake him.

************

“About tonight…do you want to stay in with Moony and I again?” asked Sirius earnestly. His hair was still wet from the lake, and Remus was asleep in his arms on the lounge. “He’s too tired to do anything in particular, and he’s taken his Wolfsbane. I hate Snape.”

“I should be okay,” said Harry. Sirius squeezed his arm. “It means a lot…your concern.”

“We just want you to be ok,” said Sirius. “Are you? Are you enjoying yourself here?”

There was no mistaking the anxious tone of Sirius’ voice, asking for reassurance, no, begging. Harry smiled at Sirius.

“I am happier here than I have ever been, Sirius. Today was so…so fun. Is Remus going to be all right? I mean…I never meant to hurt him.”

“I know,” whispered Sirius, stroking Remus’ hair. “I’m not angry with you, Harry. I know you felt awful about it…I know you didn’t mean it. Remus does too…you should have heard him making excuses for you.”

Harry felt a rush of pleasure from that comment, but tried not to show it. Remus opened his eyes and yawned.

“What’s the time?”

“Hour to moonrise,” replied Sirius.

“I’m too weak to hold off the change…I’ll have to change as soon as it rises,” yawned Remus. “Harry can cook.”

“Harry can cook?” asked Sirius, hopefully. Harry laughed.

“Yeah, I can cook. I hear that you can’t.”

“I burn water,” sighed Sirius. Remus chucked. “I am so glad you’re here, Harry. Not just for the cooking.”

“I’ll go get started, then we can eat before Remus changes,” said Harry, and Sirius nodded, closing his eyes and going back to sleep on the lounge with Remus as Harry searched through the kitchen for something that Remus would like to eat. He knew that Sirius would eat anything, but Remus was special.

He found some tofu in the fridge, and was tempted to throw it out, then remembered that Remus liked it instead of meat. But it was full moon, so they would all have meat – the more awful and bloody-looking, the better. Harry looked at the steaks. They were of far better quality than anything Uncle Vernon had ever bought, and he wondered at the logic of Remus buying expensive steak yet wearing old, patched robes.

He wondered if he should bother with vegetables at all. The others came into the kitchen as soon as he unwrapped the meat – Harry looked at them in surprise.

“He could smell it,” said Sirius, by way of explanation. For not the first time, Harry wondered if Sirius could read minds. “Don’t bother with any…vegetation. We eat enough of it every other night.”

That settled it, decided Harry – Sirius could read minds. Sirius sat down with Remus in his lap, and they watched as Harry cooked, Sirius forcibly holding Remus down every time that he tried to help.

“Harry knows what he’s doing, love,” said Sirius, after the third time. Harry nodded and grinned. This was good, he didn’t mind cooking here. Here felt right – here was home. “Remy will have his blue, Harry.”

“I know,” replied Harry. “It’s ready, anyway.”

Harry quickly learned the origin of the term “wolfing it down” watching Remus Lupin eat a bloody steak. He was quite happy with his own well-done steak, thankyou. Lupin didn’t even pause for breath, just ate it then sat back, clearly satisfied.

“You beat me. That has to be a new record!” said Sirius, talking with his mouth full.

“You’ll get indigestion,” said Harry, then realised that he sounded like Hermione.

“Won’t,” replied Remus, closing his eyes. “I like steak at this time of the month.”

Sirius chuckled, and shook his head.

“Still plenty of time until moonrise, too.”

“Exactly. So I will do the washing up. No arguments, Harry. You cooked, I’ll wash up, this great lug will sit around and do nothing. Agreed?”

“Um…ok,” said Harry, smiling. He would have done the washing up, even if he hadn’t have been asked to. This was good. This was home.

When Harry had gone upstairs, and Remus had cleared the table, Sirius slipped his arms around Remus’ waist, resting his head on his lover’s shoulder. Remus stopped washing up and leaned back into Sirius’ arms, turning his head so that their lips met.

“Hello. You’re just in time to grab a tea towel and dry up,” he said, smiling.

“I knew I was avoiding you for a reason,” said Sirius, nipping Remus’ ear. “Slave-driver.”

“But you love me anyway,” replied Remus, kissing him again.

“Yes, for all your faults. Remy, have you noticed that you have another admirer?”

“Yes. I’ve been trying to work out how to let him down easily and spare his feelings,” said Remus, softly. “What do you suggest?”

“I don’t know,” said Sirius. “Send him to Ron’s?”

“What are you suggesting, Siri?” laughed Remus, tenderly. “Besides, that’s just avoiding the problem.”

“I know, but I don’t see any way around it,” replied Sirius. “You’ll transform in a few minutes, and leave me to deal with it.”

“You don’t have to deal with it tonight,” replied Remus, tenderly. “I won’t hold it against you if you don’t.

“Good, because I have no intention of handling this one alone, Godfather or not,” replied Sirius, kissing Remus’ neck.

“I have to get this finished before moonrise, Siri,” chided Remus, gently. “You’ll have me all night.”

Sirius chuckled, then both started as there was a ripple in the wards. Harry came thundering down the stairs.

“Who’s out there?” he asked, looking at them, wild-eyed.

“I don’t know,” said Sirius, reaching out to draw Harry close to him. “They don’t mean us any good…”

“Siri, I can’t…I have to…” gasped Lupin, the backs of his hands decidedly hairy. He threw back his head and howled as the unknown reached the front door.

Chapter Five – Disorderly Aurors

“Accio WAND!”

Sirius put his hand out and grabbed Remus’ wand as it flew out of the puddle of clothes on the floor by the large, snarling werewolf. Harry was almost afraid of the creature that bore very little resemblance to the man he adored.

“You got your wand on you?” whispered Sirius. Harry nodded. “I don’t own a wand. Too risky to buy one.”

“Who is it?” asked Harry, wincing as someone tried to spell the door down.

“I’d say it’s Malfoy,” whispered Sirius, as the door broke in. “How did he find us?”

“I don’t know! Snape?” replied Harry. Sirius shook his head.

“No, more than his life’s worth. I’d say someone saw us shopping the other day and put two and two together.”

“Sirius Black! We have an arrest warrant for you!” called out a voice.

“SHIT,” moaned Sirius. “I’m going to transform. Wait.”

“Why did you break down the door?” asked Harry, his voice echoing through the house. “Sirius Black isn’t here.”

“We have reliable evidence that Sirius Black and known werewolf Remus Lupin have kidnapped Harry Potter,” said the voice.

“I’m not kidnapped!” replied Harry, indignantly. He heard whispers, one of which said “Stockholm Syndrome”. Remus sat leaning against him. “I live here. I could leave when I wanted to.”

“Are you certain of that? Have you tried?”

“No. I don’t want to,” replied Harry, angry. “Who are you?”

“Auror Tourney, of the Ministry of Magic. I assume that you are Harry Potter?”

“Yes! I came to stay with Professor Lupin these hols. It was all organized by Dumbledore…I don’t know Sirius Black. He doesn’t live here, that’s for sure,” replied Harry. “Go away before I set my dog on you.”

“Resisting us is an offence, Mister Potter,” said the Auror, as Harry felt someone else enter through the wards. This person felt familiar.

“Tourney,” said a silky voice. Snape! He was in on this. “What are you doing here?”

“Rescue mission. Yourself?” said the Auror.

“Come to rescue me from that brat Potter?” asked Snape, dryly.

“We have reliable information that Sirius Black and Remus Lupin have kidnapped Harry Potter and are holding him here. You cannot deny that there are three people staying here – there are three distinct cloaks by the door,” spat Tourney. Snape raised an eyebrow.

“Why would I deny it?” he asked. Harry’s heart sank. He wanted to beat Snape, yell and scream at him. “If Remus and I choose to keep our relationship a secret, I see no reason for panic.”

“Sir?” asked Tourney. Snape looked at him blithely. Harry tried to see the Auror’s face from around the corner.

“Harry, for goodness sake come out so that this idiot can confirm that you are neither injured nor brainwashed,” he said, and Padfoot nosed him to go out. “What is the dog doing in the house? And why isn’t Remy upstairs?”

“We were doing the washing up when the wards went off,” said Harry, unaware of how impressive he looked flanked by a large wolf and a huge black dog.

“Remus told me that we would take Harry for the summer,” said Snape, his voice showing no hint of the lie. “Of course I wasn’t impressed, but as it is better than his current living conditions, I assented. As it turns out, he is not as…odious…as I feared he would be.”

“Is he telling the truth?” asked Tourney. He was young for an Auror, and still had a few pimples on his face, as some people do into their twenties. His robes made him look somewhat ridiculous – Harry resolved that if he ever became an Auror, the first thing that he would do would be to tear the shoulder pads out of the uniform.

“Yes. Professor Snape stays with us. Maybe your informant meant to say ‘A man in black’, rather than ‘Sirius Black’?” asked Harry. He certainly didn’t look kidnapped and abused – he had a tan and a clear gleam in his eyes. Snape put a hand on his shoulder and half-hugged him.

“I…I don’t know. May my colleagues and I check the house?” asked Tourney. Snape sighed.

“Hurry up, then.”

Harry suddenly realized that Tourney’s backup had stayed just outside of the wards, so as not to cause panic. Snape bent to Harry’s shoulder.

“GO UPSTAIRS and get rid of anything incriminating,” he whispered. Padfoot barked twice.

“There is nothing. Everything is Remus’,” whispered Harry back, as Tourney walked back in.

“Good, none of you have moved,” said Tourney. The next hour was one of the most excruciating of Harry’s life – everything was pulled out of cupboards and drawers, Snape sneering like a large black crow over the whole proceedings, Harry petrified that Sirius would be caught. Finally they left, finally they were satisfied. Snape stalked down to the kitchen, and Harry, unbidden, made some coffee.

“That idiot Tourney. The whole Ministry will think I am fucking a werewolf by tomorrow morning,” said Snape, taking the coffee. “Thankyou, Potter.”

“No, thank You, Professor,” replied Harry. “How did you know?”

“I’m a spy, you imbecile,” snapped Snape. He closed his eyes, and reached down to scratch Moony behind the ears.

“Why did you come?” asked Harry, looking at the mess the Aurors had left.

“Let’s pretend I’m a nice person for once,” replied Snape. “You can’t stay here.”

Harry felt like crying. Not now, no, not after only a few days! It wasn’t fair, wasn’t fair…

“Why not?”

“You surely didn’t miss seeing the troupe of Aurors who just walked through, did you?” replied Snape. Sirius walked in through the doorway.

“Harry is staying,” he said, softly. Snape shook his head.

“We are all going. Dumbledore has re-formed the Order,” Snape said. “And thankyou very much, Severus, for saving my life.”

“Thankyou,” said Sirius, ungraciously. “Where are we meeting? Harry will need to stay with us.”

“McGonagall Manor. I have already made arrangements, Black,” replied Snape. “You make good coffee, Potter. Shame you can’t make potions as well.”

There was a lupine groan as Remus yawned and fell asleep on the floor, utterly exhausted. Snape looked at him with a peculiar expression on his face, and Harry thought he might know why Snape had gone to such lengths. Sirius gazed across the table at Snape, and in that instant, he knew too.

***********

Minerva McGonagall had been in fits over the state of Remus’ health, and forced him to stay in bed for a week. Harry and Sirius spent most of the week with him, except for when Harry was pulled away for lessons with McGonagall, a reluctant, snarky Snape, and on one memorable occasion, Dumbledore and Fawkes.

The phoenix had remembered Harry, and lit on his shoulder, both figuratively and literally, the flames licking down his arms but not burning. Dumbledore had laughed and clapped his hands together joyously.

“That settles it. You are as powerful as Remus suspected you were. How is he doing? Has Minerva let him out of bed?”

“Not yet. I want to learn…I don’t want to accidentally hurt anyone again, Sir,” said Harry, softly. Dumbledore nodded. “I know that sounds silly.”

“No, it doesn’t. Are you still projecting your nightmares?”

“No. Snape taught me how to stop that,” said Harry, looking at his lap. Snape had terrified him by projecting a nightmare of his own, and showing Harry how to call it back into himself – or failing that, how to train his friends to wake him up. He had no idea whether Snape really had been tortured like that, or if it were just a figment of his imagination. Harry had a sick suspicion that it was the former – even in summer, Snape wore high-necked robes. This could be the reason.

“Good boy. I assume you are aware that Sirius and Remus are…a couple?” asked Dumbledore. Harry nodded. “When you return this term, people will be talking about Remus. Remus and Snape. Don’t give in to the temptation to say anything about Remus and Sirius.”

“I understand, sir,” replied Harry, frustrated. Of COURSE he wouldn’t say anything! Dumbledore seemed to realise that he’d touched a nerve, and let Harry go outside and practise Quidditch until dinner time in the Dining Hall, and his nightly visit to Remus’ chambers.

“I was right, wasn’t I?” asked Remus finally, once Sirius arrived to also sit with him. He still made Harry’s heart flutter, although somehow not as much as he had. Sirius nodded.

“Remy told us that you were powerful, Harry,” said Sirius. “I’m really impressed – Dumbledore said that you could work with Fawkes to create flame.”

“He can?” asked Remus, delighted. “That’s wonderful!”

He hugged Harry, grinning. Harry flushed – but he noticed that he didn’t get butterflies anymore. He was almost sad that he didn’t – but then he reminded himself that Remus was never going to notice him in THAT way, anyway.

“Out,” said McGonagall’s sharp voice from the doorway. “Sirius, you may stay, because I know that I will find you in here even if I forbid you to stay here. Harry, you have had a long day. Go to bed.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he said, kissing Remus and Sirius on the cheek, then slipping out into the corridor. There was a tall dark figure storming along the corridor, and Harry grinned, watching one of the Manor’s House Elves trotting along to keep up with the long strides.

“No, Smooty may not take the Master’s cloak. No, the Master does NOT want a nice cool drink. Go AWAY!” growled Snape’s familiar voice. “Yes, I am fine. I have everything that I currently require, except for the ABSENCE OF AGGRAVATING HOUSE ELVES!” He looked up and saw Harry. “Heard you conjured fire with that wretched Phoenix. Well done, Harry.”

He continued to stalk away, but Harry turned to watch him go, intrigued. There was a warmth spreading throughout his body. No, wait…he couldn’t be…

Epilogue – Snape

Leaving the Manor had been a struggle – not only was he leaving the two people he loved most in the world, had Harry known that his Head of House had such funds at her ready disposal, he’d have been far more impressed at her attitude of not caring for popularity and fashion. Leaving Remus and Sirius, he realized, would be okay. They would look after each other.

He walked down the corridor beside Ron and Hermione, heading for the Sorting Ceremony, thinking of the year ahead. Too many tests, not enough time, was his current opinion. He sat at the long Gryffindor Table, and let his eyes wander around the hall, taking in the new students, and the teacher’s table. Snape was sitting there, looking decidedly uncomfortable in the midst of so many people.

Oh yes. Leaving Remus would be okay. There were other things to recommend Hogwarts as a place of residence – for now. It would be a very interesting year.