Hermione touched the necklace she wore and reassured herself again that Harry was fine. Sure, he was doing his usual insane things on a broomstick but he was fine. It was tremendously reassuring knowing he could change into a bird and be safe if something happened. She still remembered all too well the horrifying moments when he'd fallen from the broom after the Dementors had invaded in their third year.
She fingered the letter in her pocket. It informed her she would be awarded a prefect badge at the closing ceremony for the memorial match. If she hadn't wanted it, she was to have informed the Headmistress, but Hermione did want it. She wanted it very much. Just like she wanted the Head Girl position one day. She sighed. She was prepared to admit her academic ambitions were probably not her most attractive feature.
She was happy with the news in the letter that the usual prefects would be joined by five new special prefects; Ron, Luna, Sue, Draco and Harry. Neville had been given the other Gryffindor fifth year badge. Theo had secured the Slytherin prefect position along with Daphne; Padma and Anthony in Ravenclaw; Justin Finch-Fletchley and Lily Moon in Hufflepuff. She wondered how the special prefects would fit into the usual model.
Hermione shook herself and returned her attention to the match. Harry was being followed closely by Draco but he didn't seem to be actively chasing or looking for the snitch. She was glad Harry had decided to play. She knew he'd been reluctant to do it, still caught up in memories of what had happened at the battle.
She had almost throttled Ron when he'd pushed the matter.
But that was Ron.
There were times he was just too passionate and tempestuous about something and he pushed too far. She figured even his newfound maturity – the memorial match had been Ron's baby – that he'd still have moments of being, well, Ron.
Luckily the boys had been quick to make-up and the argument had blown over with Ron surprisingly accepting of Harry's position. She had a feeling it would be something of a characteristic of their friendship, especially as Harry wasn't happy to passively go along with everything the way he had been before Sirius had come into his life and given him a home. She had a feeling it was going to be interesting when Harry became Headmaster and they had to work together. Her lips twitched at the thought.
She was slightly jealous of the new bond they shared with Hogwarts. It was something that she would never have and she was envious not only to their connection with the dragon, but to each other.
Hermione bit her lip. She'd put away a lot of her insecurities about her relationship with Harry. Some of it was down to the mind healing and understanding her insecurity better; some of it was because she and Harry were just closer in the aftermath; some of it was the strange connection they shared between the two of them after Morgana's blessing.
Hermione wondered if Harry had managed to speak to the dragon picture about Avalon. She frowned and thought back to the dream she'd had the night after she'd gone to the Ministry to start researching what it meant for her to have been chosen by Morgana…
She didn't recognise where she was but it seemed so familiar. Her hands traced the white washed walls of rough stone on either side of the corridor as she followed it until she emerged onto a balcony overlooking a wide silver lake.
There was an old lady sitting in a chair looking out at the view. She had short grey hair in a spiky style and her blue eyes twinkled as she looked over at Hermione. A tea service appeared on the table beside her. "Tea, dear?"
"Thank you." Hermione accepted the invitation to sit and took the tea-cup and saucer she was handed. The tea was perfect. She looked out and couldn't help feeling content at the peaceful serenity of the scene in front of her. "This is beautiful. Where are we?"
"Where do you think we are?" The old lady asked.
Slowly Hermione took note of the shape of the lake, the hint of mountains and…and a familiar castle beyond in the far distance.
"The Black Lake." She realised out loud.
"A man's name." The old lady remonstrated gently. "What does your spirit tell you?"
Avalon.
The word whispered through her.
Hermione breathed in sharply.
"Morgana's blessing granted you passage." The old lady commented and set her tea aside to pick up some knitting in a basket that had appeared at her feet. "The first witch in far too long to make the journey."
"I don't understand." Hermione commented.
"The truth has faded in your time; distorted by myth and legend." The old lady agreed. "You seek answers. You will not find them in the books of Wizards, my dear."
Hermione nodded slowly. "Will you tell me then?"
"It's why you're here, is it not?" The old lady smiled and turned to face her.
Hermione was suddenly aware of the light in the old lady's eyes, bright and compelling like stars, like moonlight, like the sun.
"Balance is always needed in the world." The old lady said. "Light is balanced by dark; love by hate; chaos by order. For every agent of Death, there must be an agent of Life."
"You…you're…" Hermione stumbled over her words, shocked.
"I have had many names; Gaia, Danu, Toci." The old lady said matter-of-factly. "Perhaps here Grandmother will suffice."
Hermione swallowed. She had seen Death; she shouldn't be surprised at a counterpart. "Morgana didn't choose me as her avatar, did she?"
"She chose you as mine." Grandmother agreed. "Balance was needed. Riddle wanted to escape Death and destroy life; he challenged us both." She smiled. "When Death sent his Champion to battle, I always sent mine to stand with him. Lily stood the first time; you this time."
Hermione reached for her tea, needing the normality of it to steady herself.
"Why do you think you were chosen, my dear?" Grandmother asked Hermione.
"Because I knew Harry the best of those in the circle?" offered Hermione tentatively.
Grandmother levelled a gaze at her that had Hermione flushing and squirming.
"Because I love him and he loves me." Hermione said quietly.
"And love is life." Grandmother said with satisfaction. "His mother's love protected him and guided him to the truth. It gave him the strength to stand; the strength to use the power he wields as Death's Champion, as the one who can call on his father's and Merlin's legacy. Love led him to create the bond to the father of his heart and soul, to tie him to life. It allowed me to send you to shield him and restore the balance. I have walked beside him every day because Harry loves and is loved."
"And now? What happens now?" asked Hermione.
"Now you are my Champion as Harry is Death's; equals. The most powerful witch balancing the most powerful wizard." Grandmother said. "Just as Morgana was Merlin's equal."
"So we're destined to be together?" Hermione double-checked, unsure how she felt about that.
"Your relationship is your own, child." Grandmother assured her. "You are no more likely to be with him than you are to be without him. It is your choice."
Hermione breathed out relieved. "But I am your Champion."
"Wiccan magic will bloom again under your hand." Grandmother said. "A balance for the magic of Wizards for the challenges to come."
"What challenges?" asked Hermione, alarmed.
Grandmother's blue eyes twinkled. "Now that would be telling, my dear."
And she had woken up.
Hermione had told Harry about the dream but he was the only one. Harry had smiled at the news they formed some kind of harmonic balance and frowned at the news of future challenges. But he hadn't been surprised. He'd just been pleased they would face them together. And she was pleased she would face them as his equal; someone who could stand beside him and not behind him.
An image leapt into her mind; a lioness. Fierce and proud; intelligent and strong. An equal to any lion.
A cat.
Hermione smiled.
"I see you found your animagus form finally." Luna commented, startling Hermione out of her thoughts.
"I thought I was just a domestic feline." Hermione said. It was what the family magic had changed her into after all and the form she had been diligently practicing.
"You weren't ready to embrace your true self until now." Luna pointed out with a bright smile.
That was true. But she had stood shoulder by shoulder with Harry against Riddle. She was Life's Champion.
Hermione glanced towards the lake.
"Avalon will sleep a while longer." Luna murmured. "Everything is as it should be."
Hermione smiled at her, wondering if Luna was speaking from her gift or just from her heart. "Is it?"
"Isn't it?" Luna responded.
Hermione heard the shout go up from the crowd and turned back urgently to the game just in time to see Harry narrowly missing a hoop as he avoided a bludger.
Her mother gave a gasp beside her; her father hushing her. Andy murmured something reassuring.
Across the pitch, a sheepish Matthew Inglebee held up the bat in silent apology.
Hermione shook her head as Harry simply grinned and flew on.
Typical, Hermione mused, torn between grumpiness and relief. She smiled suddenly. Harry was flying, playing Quidditch, and she was worrying about him. She guessed things were back to normal after all.
Luna was right; the future would wait a while longer.
o-O-o
Remus grumbled under his breath. "That shouldn't be allowed!"
"It was an accident, Wolfy." Dora said, dipping her chocolate biscuits into the jar of mayonnaise she'd brought with her. He'd given up trying to work out her cravings weeks before. "Stop getting your knickers in a twist."
"Boxers!" Remus spluttered out, his cheeks bright red. "I'm wearing boxers!"
He glanced at Ted who gave him a distinctly unsympathetic look followed by a shrug which said 'women what can you do.' Remus shifted his attention to Sirius.
Sirius was holding Regina, holding her securely against his chest with one hand and pointing out her brother and Harry with the other. He looked so completely at ease and so happy that Remus's breath caught in his throat.
"I was thinking we could name the sprog Michael." Dora said suddenly, dunking another biscuit.
"I thought we ruled Michael out because of Ted's drunken Uncle Mickey who is now doing ten years hard time?" Remus said, his heart sinking.
"Right." Dora grimaced.
"I thought we were going with John Romulus." Remus said coaxingly. Merlin knew it was much, much better than just Romulus or Ziggy which Dora had been set on for a while.
"John is so boring though." Dora grumbled. "I mean, no offence to your Dad, Remus, but his name isn't exactly unique."
Remus counted to ten in his head before he replied. "I thought you wanted something normal?"
"I do." Dora sighed and stuffed the mayonnaise dripping biscuit into her mouth.
"We could go with James." Remus suggested. They'd already discounted it thinking they should leave it for Harry but it was worth another discussion.
"No." Dora said firmly after swallowing her mouthful of food. She sighed, setting aside the jar and biscuits. She rubbed her belly before throwing up a privacy bubble. "Look, I'm thinking we definitely can't call him Theodore. I mean, my Dad is Theodore and his new uncle is going to be Theodore. We can't call him Theodore. And if we can't call him Theodore then I don't think it's fair to my Dad that we call him John."
"If it's important to you to call the baby Theodore, I don't think either your Dad or Theo will mind." Remus said soothingly.
"I'll mind." Dora stated firmly. "Look, it's not Theo's fault he's become part of the family – and I like him! He's a good kid. Scary smart. Mum already adores him and Dad…I can see Dad's already enjoying having a son-type person."
"Son-type person?" Remus repeated.
Dora poked him. "You know what I mean." She sighed, looking slightly downcast. "It's just…I don't ever want to make Theo feel unwelcome, and I'll never ever say I hate having him around, but I can admit I'm a little jealous."
Remus slid his arm around her to give her some comfort.
"I'm stupid." Dora sniffed.
"No," Remus said, "I would think a little sibling jealousy would be normal under these circumstances. It's alright for you to resent sharing your parents."
Dora sniffed again but she snuggled into his embrace. "I like Theo. He's really cool. He's going to be aces with the sprog." She sighed. "I just…it's the name."
Remus hummed under his breath. His eyes caught Sirius's. His best friend gave him a meaningful look asking if he needed help; Remus gave an almost imperceptible shake of his head back.
"You really want to call the baby Theodore." Remus surmised.
"Well," Dora said in too bright a voice, "not really Theodore." Her fingers caught hold of the buttons on his jacket and fiddled with them. "When I was little, I used to dream I'd call my baby Teddy, because I couldn't call him Ted as that was my Dad but I wanted to call him after my Dad because my Dad was the greatest, you know?"
"I know." Remus said gently.
Dora sighed and cuddled in.
"You know," Remus said considering the problem, "Teddy isn't only the derivative of Theodore. It's traditionally been used for Edward too."
Dora pulled back out of his arms and stared at him open-mouthed. "Wolfy, you're a genius!" She lunged forward and kissed him. She gave a squeal and clapped her hands. "Edward John; it's perfect."
Edward John.
Teddy.
Remus could live with that. He nodded happily.
Dora grimaced suddenly. "Damn, I need to pee!" She took down the privacy bubble and started to gather her purse.
"Bathroom?" asked Andy delicately.
Dora nodded unhappily.
"The new players' changing rooms have a visitor's set." Sirius reminded her.
Dora beamed at him. "You're a genius!" She waved a hand as she started to walk away. "Not as much of a genius as my Wolfy but a genius!"
Andy gave a laugh and followed after her daughter.
Sirius sidled up to him and Remus realised his friend had relinquished Regina back to her mother. "Everything alright?"
"Hormones, I think," confided Remus in a low voice that he ensured did not carry. "We agreed on a name."
Sirius raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Edward John." Remus informed him. "Teddy."
Sirius gave a slow nod. "Good name." He nudged Remus's shoulder. "You're getting good at the husband and father thing."
Remus smiled but he was pleased at Sirius's words. He was doing his best. He and Dora worked. Yes, she drove him round the bend with her cravings and her insistence on pretending she wasn't pregnant at times, but…they worked.
And he couldn't wait to be a Dad. To hold his baby son. To introduce his cub to his pack.
He glanced over to his left where Patrick was holding court with most of the ladies of the pack who were hovering around him concerned, Sian glaring at them with disdain. He figured his plan for covering all his duties would hit some rough spots but it was a good plan; workable. It meant he could be there for his pack and for its heart; his family – Sirius and Harry, Dora and his son…
"You know Teddy is going to need a godfather." Remus posited out loud, his heart beating a touch faster because he'd assumed Sirius was going to be the godfather, and had even spoken as though it was a done deal to Sirius about it, but he hadn't actually asked…
Sirius turned to him with a sly smile. "Is that a request? Because if it was a request…"
"Pads!" Remus remonstrated with him gently but firmly.
Sirius drew himself up and met Remus's eyes. "I'd be honoured, Moony."
Remus grinned and slapped Sirius on the shoulder. Sirius grinned back and turned away to watch Harry. Remus followed his gaze out to the sky above the pitch.
It was good to see Harry taking part in the match. It meant he was healing. It meant that maybe, just maybe, the worst was over. The world was safe. Safe for Harry. Safe for Remus's family and pack. Safe for his son.
Teddy Lupin.
Remus couldn't help the smile that broke across his face. He couldn't wait to meet him.
o-O-o
Sirius figured Harry was almost done playing. The match had lasted over an hour; a respectable time to honour the dead and the living. All of the kids had been up twice and the first players were back in the air. Harry would start actively targeting the snitch soon; Sirius was sure of it.
He glanced around the stands. They were filled to the brim with a happy crowd. Over in the Slytherin stands, Sirius could see Selwyn chatting away with Wilkes and Gibbon. The traditionalists had reformed under Selwyn and so far their agenda had been constructive. It would be interesting to see how the politics would play out in the Wizengamot.
Sirius's gaze drifted to Daniel Greengrass who was deep in discussion with Cornelius. The Minister was in his element. He had certainly risen to the occasion and his approval rating was through the roof. He'd go down in history as a good Minister. Sirius couldn't quite believe he and Cornelius had such a solid working relationship but he couldn't deny they worked well together. Of course, Sirius had a lot of help.
Daniel was a good man. He was taking on more of a leadership role with the Potter alliance and Sirius welcomed his assistance. Not that they would do anything alone; Augusta would be their third. Her contribution couldn't be overstated as far as Sirius was concerned. He looked around the stands and found more members of the Potter alliance conversing happily.
His Grandfather's portrait had been stunned at their political success and smugly proud.
"I always knew you'd be a formidable Lord Black, Sirius."
And there was acceptance there. He had spoken about the past with the portrait, and understood some of his Grandfather's motives more. They'd talked of how he had been reluctant to simply take custody of Sirius and his brother because he'd hoped his son was a good father despite Walburga's influence; how he'd realised too late just how much neglect and abuse had been in the home. Sirius had forgiven him because truthfully he wouldn't have changed where he'd ended up; he had loved the Potters and the Marauders.
His heart ached as he thought of Prongs taking form to deliver judgement on Peter. It had been heart-breaking yet so fundamentally right Sirius felt it to his bones. The rat was securely tucked away in Azkaban and Sirius figured Wormtail would only get another year from his defence of Remus against the vampires to add to his rat's life-span. It wasn't a perfect end – a part of Sirius still snarled with the fury that wanted to kill the rat – but it was justice.
His gaze caught Amelia's and she nodded at him in acknowledgement. Sirius smiled. The Director of the DMLE was a good friend. She was a good woman; a good witch. He owed her a great deal, Sirius mused. She had provided him with stalwart support since she had cleared his name.
He owed Bertie too, Sirius realised, looking around for the Director of the DOM, and finding him deep in discussion with Moody and Snape. Bertie's company almost made him snort with amusement – they seemed unlikely friends – but he shook his head and turned away. He was actually pleased to see that Snape had settled into a new life, one that didn't involve spying and where his former nemesis could indulge his passion for potions. Somehow Sirius thought Lily would be pleased with where Snape had ended up.
Sirius's gaze landed next on Bill. He was glad to see the Heir to Weasley House recovering from the pain of losing Caroline. The Weasleys were out in full force, Sirius realised. The youngest all playing while the older children cheered them on, all under the watchful eyes of Molly and Arthur.
Minerva's sharp remonstration to the commentator cut through the air and Sirius swallowed a laugh at her caustic rejoinder. His smile faded as he considered the offer she had made him when they'd left Harry alone with Albus's portrait: to move back to Hogwarts and the rooms he'd shared with Harry; to be a commissioned artist for the school. She had loved the artwork he'd produced and she wanted him to paint portraits of all the staff. Sirius wasn't sure what he was going to do.
He loved the idea of staying close to Harry; loved the idea of having a bolthole for his son if the scrutiny and pressure of being Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived to Defeat Voldemort, got too much. Sirius knew Harry's friends would provide him with support; Hermione would scratch the eyes out of anyone who would hurt him and Ron and Neville would help – all of the alliance would. But it didn't take away from the fact that Harry was famous and in the spotlight even more since he'd killed Riddle and saved the wizarding world.
He was also tempted by the work. He loved painting. He much preferred it to politics. And maybe with Daniel and Augusta taking the lead there, Remus and his cohort of deputies handling the estates – maybe, just maybe there was an opportunity for him to do something just for himself.
Something to think about.
And talk to Harry about.
As if Harry knew Sirius had thought about him, his son glanced over his shoulder at Sirius and their eyes met across the distance.
Harry gave some form of salute and suddenly he shot forward on his broom…
Sirius smiled.
Yes.
The game would be over soon and the future would begin.
o-O-o
Harry let the wind rush through his hair, drag his clothes close to his body. He arrowed downwards to the ground, weaving a crazy pattern across the grass, before lifting back shooting into the sky.
He was flying and he was free.
He hadn't let his fear stop him and his heart lifted with joyous glee.
He could live now, Harry thought happily.
He could date Hermione; spend time holding hands, kissing and maybe a little bit more…
He could spend time with Ron, playing Quidditch and debating tactics…
Gold glinted to his left and he spun sending the broom down…
He could spend time with Neville, his godbrother, who understood in a way the others didn't…
And he could even spend time with Draco who was flying like a dervish to catch up to him…he could cement the bond between them into a real friendship…
There was baby Lupin to look forward to; time with baby Reggie. Time with all his family; the Houses of Potter and Black, and all who fell under his protection.
He sent his broom to the left and the snitch compensated darting out of the way.
But most of all, he had Sirius.
He had a father who loved him, who cared about him. A father who had given him a home. A father who had loved him so much he had fought for Harry, fought for a future for him.
And now that future was within Harry's grasp.
Harry reached out and grabbed the snitch, lifting it high into the air in victory.
o-O-o
1 st September 1995
Steam hissed and floated across the platform.
Sirius kept a hand on Harry's shoulder as they made their way through the crowds of parents and children. They garnered more than a few looks and Sirius was glad Harry had insisted on saying goodbye to the rest of the family at dinner the night before. He dreaded to think about the attention they'd have attracted if they'd come en masse.
Harry was already in uniform having decided he didn't want the hassle of changing mid-journey. It was weird to see Harry wearing the familiar colours of Gryffindor and Hogwarts after he'd spent so much of the previous year adorned with his own crests. They were still there; discreetly embroidered onto this cuffs but Harry was once again a Hogwarts' student. It still gave Sirius mixed feelings.
Part of him wanted to keep Harry home still but with the threat of Voldemort gone, Sirius couldn't deny that Hogwarts was as safe as it ever could be for his son. And he would be there himself; staying in their old rooms as Hogwarts' resident artist with Harry able to visit him often.
Harry tugged Sirius towards the front of the carriages. He was apparently oblivious to the attention he was garnering from the young girls around him, the stares of awe and hero-worship. Sirius knew better than to think Harry was oblivious, of course, but he allowed Harry the pretence. Harry felt that the best way to deal with his increased fame was to simply not acknowledge it and try to have as much normality in his life as he could.
It amused Sirius that he was turning heads as much as Harry.
Sirius had opted for casual robes over a muggle outfit of denim jeans and plain white button-up shirt. He was the very personification of 'dressed-down' but that didn't seem to stop many of the women, and a few of the men, batting their eyelashes at him and giving him come-hither smiles. He still wasn't all that interested in finding romance. He had his work, his friends, and more importantly, he had Harry. He was content.
Harry shot him a pleased grin as they finally reached their destination and boarded the train just behind the prefect compartment.
"Perfect." Harry commented. "We're in easy reach of the prefect compartment but have a whole compartment to ourselves."
Sirius hummed as he waved Harry's trunk into the overhead rack. Hedwig had eschewed the cage, and flew up to the luggage rack to perch there. She gave an approving bark. She was never very far from Harry.
The space seemed incredibly empty but he had a feeling it would fill up quickly; Harry's friends would show up sooner rather than later, especially as they were all prefects.
He didn't know how he felt about Harry being a special prefect, it seemed too much of a reminder that Harry was bonded to Hogwarts. But then Sirius really didn't mind that the bond ensured Harry would have a good profession one day which didn't involve him getting into too much danger. He still feared Harry deciding to go into Quidditch after school for a time.
Angelina Johnson had been awarded the Captain's badge again and had already written to invite Harry back to his old Seeker position.
"Right then." Sirius said gruffly, knowing his time with his son was drawing to a close.
"I've got my mirror." Harry reminded him. "I'll call you if there's trouble."
"Don't forget to eat the lunch Dobby packed for you." Sirius said. Harry was still a few pounds short of a good weight even if he was healthy and fit.
Harry reached out unashamedly and Sirius hugged him close. He let him go reluctantly which was stupid because he was going to see him in just a few short hours.
"Hey," Harry grinned at him, "I have a surprise for you."
Sirius smiled back. "A surprise for me?"
Harry shooed him back, still grinning.
Sirius rolled his eyes and obligingly stepped back. His back was almost at the doors of the compartment.
Harry took a deep breath and transformed. In his place was a young dog; a young Grim.
Sirius's mouth fell open as the Grim's tail wagged happily and he bounded over to him. "Pronglet." He breathed out the name and ruffled Harry's head. The memory of Harry's first accidental transformation as a baby filled his head; Prongs' panic and Lily's calm; his own delight that Harry had copied his form.
Harry allowed a few moments of petting before wrestling himself away and transforming back.
Sirius immediately hugged him again, a lump in his throat. "I love you, Pronglet."
"Love you too, Padfoot." Harry replied softly.
They stood there, soaking each other up in silence.
There was a courtesy rap on the door and it slid open to reveal Hermione. She stopped in the doorway as she took in Sirius and Harry hugging.
"Oh!" Hermione said, blushing faintly. "I'm sorry! I just…"
Sirius gave Harry one last squeeze and eased back to wave her inside. "It's fine, Hermione. We were almost done saying goodbye. Come on in."
He took control of her trunk as Harry moved forward to greet her with a chaste kiss, tangling their fingers together. Sirius smiled at the sight. Ah, young love. A bittersweet memory of James and Lily doing the same thing in their Seventh year drifted through his mind and he shook it away.
"Alright. Be good, you two, and enjoy the journey." Sirius instructed gently. He ruffled Harry's hair one last time. Harry's amused expression lifted his heart.
"See you on the other side, Padfoot." Harry promised.
Sirius nodded. "Pronglet."
They exchanged one last smile; one last look.
"Alright," Sirius said abruptly, realising the moment was lingering slightly too long, "leaving now." He stepped back and out of the compartment to the sound of Harry chuckling and Hermione giggling.
Sirius quickly made his way out of the carriage and down the platform to the apparition point. He nodded a few hellos, smiled in acknowledgement at Augusta saying goodbye to Neville and Blaise further down, and hurried to leave before anyone could stop him.
He just needed to catch his breath, to adjust to letting Harry go even if it was just for a moment and not really real because he'd see him in a few short hours; he just needed to be on his own…
He got to the apparition point, grasped his wand and spun on his heel, his destination simply home…
And landed outside Godric's Hollow.
Sirius laughed weakly and pushed a hand through his hair.
Despite everything his heart still couldn't let go of thinking of the cottage as home. Griffin House was home too but only because Harry was there. The cottage, on the other hand…
He gazed at the broken down house and his memory erased the reality of the untidy garden, dirty windows and crumbling walls, replacing them in his mind's eye with immaculate whitewashed stone covered with ivy; a garden filled with lavender and honeysuckle; gleaming windows underlined with their boxes of flowers and herbs.
Sirius could almost hear James's deep laughter; Lily's bright chuckle; the gurgle of a baby…
He remembered the night of their deaths; remembered all too well the horror of finding them gone; finding Harry hurt.
He remembered the poignant angst of showing Harry around the Christmas before; of telling his son the way the cottage had been before; of the happy home it had been for Harry and for Sirius.
But then another memory landed at the forefront of his mind.
A memory of himself standing in front of the cottage just over a year before and coming up with the most insane plan he could think of so he could raise Harry.
"Told you I'd do anything, Lily-flower." Sirius murmured.
It had been a plan of cunning and guile built off a stupid brave and reckless decision to tear down one world and rebuild it for Harry using all the power Sirius had never wanted but all the power he needed. A plan to keep Harry, to keep Prongletsafe.
"It was a good plan in the end, Prongs." Sirius said out loud. "He's safe now and he's alive and he's happy."
A breeze floated over him, the scent of lilies heavy in the air, the sense of love, family and safety Sirius had always associated with Prongs.
He reached out and touched the rickety old gate as though by touching it he could reach through time and space to his friends, to the brother and sister of his soul.
"Love you." Sirius whispered.
But it was time to leave the past behind.
Peace infused him at last; the heavy grief which had been his constant companion dissolving into acceptance.
And as he took a step away, and spun on his heel to leave, he knew they were listening; knew they'd approved back then and would approve for the days to come, because his plan always had Harry at its heart – and it was always a Marauder's plan.
The End