A Life More Ordinary

The Ministry of Magic--August 1985

Harry watched intently as the scroll disappeared with a muffled pop. "Where did it go?"

"To the Hall of Records," the nice witch told him with a smile--the one who had asked him questions about all the things he liked about Sirius. "That way everyone will know you are a family now."

Harry glanced up at Sirius, who was smiling one of those big smiles that let Harry know just how pleased he was. He ruffled Harry's hair and Harry smiled too.

"Thank you very much for all your help, Anna," Sirius said to the lady; they shook hands and then Anna crouched down so that she was eye level to Harry.

"Take care of your godfather; all right, Harry?"

"He already does," Sirius said quietly, and a warm glow spread through Harry's chest as he nodded. Anna stuck her hand out and Harry shook it very carefully, imitating the way Sirius had just done it.

Anna smiled and waved as they left her office, and Harry held tight to Sirius' hand; the large atrium was filled with busy witches and wizards. Some of them stopped walking as they passed, while others whispered to each other.

"We'll take the Floo to the Weasleys, all right?" Sirius asked, drawing Harry's attention from the gawkers. Harry didn't like the Floo, and he wasn't really certain he wanted to meet the Weasley children, but Sirius wanted him to so he nodded. Sirius squeezed his hand and Harry felt a little less nervous about the whole thing.

"Sirius," a high voice spoke and Harry's eyes followed the sound. A tall woman with pale hair had stopped just in front of them; a boy with hair the same color stood next to her. The woman was gazing at Sirius with a frown and narrowed eyes--eyes that were just a little lighter than Sirius', but hers made Harry's stomach tingle with unease.

"Azkaban was unkind to you," the woman said.

"Hello, Narcissa." Harry scrunched his eyebrows together as he tried to figure out why Sirius sounded cross.

Narcissa peered down at Harry then. "And this must be your godson."

"Yes," Sirius said shortly, "this is Harry."

"You had already deserted your family by the time my son was born," Narcissa said. "Say hello, Draco."

"Hello," the blond boy said obediently. He was a quite a bit taller than Harry was, but he wasn't frowning so Harry didn't really mind.

"Hullo."

Narcissa smiled. "This is Harry Potter, Draco dear," she said, reminding Harry of the ladies in Aunt Petunia's book club who always smiled when they were saying something mean.

"I've heard of you," Draco said. "You defeated You-Know-Who."

Sirius drew Harry toward his side, his arm curling around his shoulders. "We have an appointment." He started to walk away.

"My Father says you have to be very powerful," Draco said; Harry squinted at him, not sure what he meant. "Father is powerful; he and the Minister are friends."

"Now, now, Draco darling," Narcissa purred, "we wouldn't want to make your cousin uncomfortable. After all, Sirius is a blood traitor who rejected his heritage."

Sirius didn't say anything.

Narcissa smiled again. "Do be sure to call on us, won't you Sirius? I think Lucius would like to meet your new son." Sirius' eyes narrowed and Narcissa's lips stretched into a thin smile. "As Draco said, Lucius and the Minister are friends."

"I have an extra broom," Draco volunteered. "Our elf Dobby has been teaching me to ride."

Before Harry could answer, Sirius took his hand again. "We'll be late if we don't hurry along," he said, no longer paying attention to the boy or his mother. Harry obeyed the slight tug on his fingers.

As they walked away, Harry heard Draco ask, "Do you think he'll be in Slytherin, Mother?"

"Well, if he is, my Draco," Narcissa answered, "I believe the headmaster will be most displeased."

"Father would like that, wouldn't he?"

Narcissa's laugh echoed behind Harry and Sirius as they stepped into the Floo.

--

The Weasleys parlor was nothing like the one at Grimmauld Place; books and toys covered every surface, piled high in stacks that looked like they might topple over at any moment. An enchanted feather duster weaved in and out of the clutter, and a tall broom was swishing a pile of dust under the corner of one of the rugs.

Harry found himself smiling as he looked around; it was a happy sort of room.

"You're here!" an equally happy voice greeted him and Harry and Sirius turned.

"Hello, Molly. This is Mrs. Weasley," Sirius said, introducing the lady with red hair "She's going to be your teacher."

Mrs. Weasley smiled brightly as she stooped a little so that Harry was looking right into her face. He tried not to press himself too much against Sirius' leg--he wasn't a baby, after all.

"Hello there, Harry," Mrs. Weasley said kindly. "The other children will be so happy to see you. They've been waiting all day."

Harry nodded, not sure how to answer. "Thank you," he finally whispered, hoping it was the right thing to say. And Mrs. Weasley's smile widened even more, so Harry guessed he'd gotten it right. She straightened up and nodded to Sirius.

"Oh, I think he'll be just fine here, Sirius."

"I'm sure he will," Sirius agreed, giving Harry's shoulder a squeeze.

"Shall we go outside and meet everyone, Harry?" Mrs. Weasley asked, addressing him again, instead of Sirius, which was different than Harry was used to, but he decided he liked it.

Except for Sirius, most grown-ups acted as if he wasn't there.

Harry nodded and Mrs. Weasley led them through the back door. Harry slipped his hand into Sirius' as they stepped out into the large yard. It was filled with red-haired children, all of them running and shouting.

One of them, the shortest boy, looked over at Harry then. He clutched the small ball he had just caught to his chest and called out, "Hey! He's here!"

The rest of the children turned as well--there were five altogether. Chorused greetings were shouted across the yard, and then they were all converging on Harry. By the time they reached him they were chattering so loudly that Harry wanted to cover his ears.

"Now all of you settle down," Mrs. Weasley intervened, flapping her hands in shushing motions at the boisterous redheads. "We don't want frighten the poor boy."

Harry stiffened. He wasn't afraid. One of the taller boys was peering down his nose, reminding Harry of Aunt Petunia with her pinched lips.

"This is Percy," Mrs. Weasley was saying; Percy with the pinched lips. "And the twins, Fred and George." Fred and George grinned at him. "And my little Ginny-"

"Not little!" the lone girl said indignantly.

"Of course not, sweetheart," Mrs. Weasleys said and then focused on the shortest boy, whose eyes hadn't yet left Harry's.

"This is Ronnie."

"Ron," the shortest boy grumbled in a low whisper, making a grotesque face so that his mum couldn't see; Harry smiled.

"He's your age," Mrs. Weasley went on, ignoring Ron. "You'll be in the same year at Hogwarts-"

"If they let Ron in," one of the twins said with a nudge for the other one.

"Hush, George."

"I'm Fred."

"Then, hush Fred."

"He's Fred," the twin said, pointing to his double.

Mrs. Weasley glared at whichever twin it really was. "Enough nonsense. Harry brought something to share with everyone."

"What is it?" five eager voices demanded, their eyes zeroing in on Harry. Harry hesitated, worried that they wouldn't like it, even though Sirius had said that they would. He pulled the small box out of his pocket.

Ten eyes brightened.

"Is that a Snitch?" Ron demanded as he pressed closer to peer at the quill and ink illustration of the golden ball on the lid; Harry nodded. Sirius had given it to him for his birthday. His very first birthday present.

"Brilliant," one of the twins breathed. "Is it new?"

"Well, almost," Harry said with a glance for Sirius; Sirius smiled and Harry turned back to the awed Weasleys. "Me and Sirius played with it twice."

"Our brother Charlie has one," Percy said with a prim nod. "He wants to be a Seeker this year, so he took it with him to school so he could practice.

"They're 'spensive," Ginny piped up; Harry didn't know about that so he didn't say anything.

"Let's try it out," Ron said with a grin, and his siblings ran out to the field. Harry stayed close to Sirius' side.

"Go ahead, Harry," Sirius encouraged, and when Harry didn't move, he cupped the back of his godson's head and gave him a gentle nudge. "I'll be right here," he promised.

"Come on, Harry!" Ron shouted, waving his arms. With one more look for Sirius, Harry went to join the other children.

"Here," one of the twins said, thrusting the box toward Harry. "Since it's yours."

"That's all right," Harry said with a shrug. "It's for all of us to play with."

The freckled twin grinned. "Come on," he said. "Everyone spread round and I'll let it out."

Harry watched the other children staking spots on the wide lawn before moving a little ways out. He stole a quick glance back toward the house, relieved to find Sirius still standing next to Mrs. Weasley.

Sirius lifted his hand in a little wave; Harry smiled before turning his eyes back to the Snitch.

"The Snitch was a wonderful idea," Molly said as her son released it. It hovered for a second and then zipped away across the yard. Ginny squealed in delight and went tearing off after it. Her brothers followed quickly. Harry stood on the sidelines, watching the other children running and shouting.

"He'll join them when he's ready," Molly added quietly, her voice full of a confidence that Sirius didn't feel at all. "He hasn't any experience with so many children; and mine can certainly be a handful," she added with a smile.

Sirius nodded; he had talked with Molly and Arthur for a long time after Harry had gone to bed one night a few weeks ago. Neither of them had thought Harry would have any problems fitting in with their children.

Molly nodded toward Harry, a smile twitching her lips. "He wants to play. See the way his muscles are tensing, as if he's about to spring."

Sirius smiled as he studied his godson; the soles of Harry's feet bounced lightly. Harry just needed a little bit more encouragement, it seemed. And having watched Harry with a Snitch twice, Sirius knew just what might help.

He slipped his wand out of his sleeve and pointed it discreetly toward the zigzagging Snitch. The Snitch abruptly changed direction and made a beeline for Harry. Harry was standing perfectly still, but his eyes had zeroed in on the tiny ball; his head moved back and forth as he tracked its movements and then, so quickly that Sirius wasn't certain he had actually done it, Harry's arm snaked out and snatched the Snitch up.

"Wicked!" Ron crowed from across the field.

"Brilliant!" The twins shouted together, and once more, five redheaded children converged on Harry.

"How'd you do that, Harry?" Ron demanded. Harry smiled as he shrugged.

"Do it again," Ginny ordered, and Harry, with one more glance for Sirius, released the Snitch. It zinged away.

"Go get it, Harry!" the children encouraged. Sirius held his breath and waited. But after a moment, Harry ran off after the golden ball, the Weasley children hot on his heels.

Molly squeezed Sirius' arm; he grinned.

--

As they prepared dinner, Harry chattered excitedly, recounting the entire two hours at the Weasleys, even though Sirius had watched it all with his own eyes.

"Did you see how many times I caught the Snitch?" Harry asked for perhaps the fourth time since they'd started.

"I did," Sirius said with a smile. "You are an excellent Snitch-catcher."

Harry beamed.

Once they sat down at the table, Harry's chatter slowed down.

Harry didn't seem unhappy though so Sirius decided his godson was simply knackered after his busy day.

"I think you're going to have loads of fun at the Weasleys," he said as he served his small godson another helping of carrots.

Harry nodded. "I like them. Especially Ron and the twins."

"Me too."

Harry smiled. He was silent as he ate one of the carrots slowly. When he was finished chewing he looked up and asked, "Are you my dad?" Sirius' fork hung in midair. "Draco's mum said I was your son."

The image of James' face filled Sirius' mind as he set the fork beside his plate. The goofy look on his best mate's face when he and Lily had announced that they were expecting.

"Me, a dad!" he'd exclaimed. "Can you believe it?"

He and Remus--and Peter, but Sirius banished his face from the memories--had grinned and thumped their friend on the back.

He saw James' smile as he'd held his infant son, just after Sirius had been introduced to his godson. James had cradled him in the crook of his arm, cooing to him, "I'm your daddy, Harry."

And later, when Harry had started to babble, James had coached him, "Come on, Harry... say 'Daddy'. Daddy. Can you say it, Harry?"

The delight in James' face when Harry had finally said, 'Da-da'.

Sirius swallowed through the ache in his throat as the images melted away; Harry was gazing at him, a look on his face that Sirius couldn't interpret. He whispered a silent apology to James and said, "Do you remember what Anna said this morning?"

Harry nodded solemnly. "She said that parchment made us a family."

"Yes, it did." Sirius reached across the table and settled his fingers over Harry's. "Since your mum and dad aren't here, I get to take care of you. They'll still be your mum and dad, but now I get to be your dad as well."

Harry tilted his head, his eyes curious behind his glasses. "I have two dads?"

"Yep," Sirius said once the throbbing in his throat subsided. "You're a lucky kid."

Harry stabbed a carrot with his fork as he said matter-of-factly, "But I don't have a mum."

Sirius blinked several times and by sheer force of will, kept the tears at bay. "Your mum can't be here with you now, but she'll always be your mum."

"Does she miss me?"

Sirius stared at Harry, but finally he nodded. "Very much, Harry."

Harry seemed satisfied with that answer. He smiled and put the carrot into his mouth. "I like being a family," he said around the orange mouthful.

The knot of tension in Sirius' chest dissolved. He smiled warmly at his godson. "Me too."

--

Sirius started when he opened his eyes; Harry was standing beside the bed, his small frame shaking.

"Harry?" He pushed himself up, reaching a hand out automatically to feel for a fever, but Harry's cheeks were cold and clammy. "What's wrong?"

Harry shook his head; his teeth were chattering.

"Are you ill?" Sirius asked, sitting up fully now and reaching for his wand to perform a simple diagnostic spell, but Harry shook his head again. "Did you have a bad dream?"

Harry continued to chatter. Sirius pushed the empty side of the blanket down. "Would you like to sleep in here with me?" he asked softly. "It's all right."

When Harry didn't move, Sirius slipped his hands under his armpits and lifted him with ease onto the mattress. He settled the dark head on a pillow and pulled the blanket back up to Harry's chest.

"All right?" he murmured. Staring up at him, Harry nodded. Sirius settled himself again and twisted so that he was facing his godson. "Do you remember what your dream was about?"

Harry shook his head and not wanting to press him, Sirius simply nodded and stroked his fingers along Harry's brow, moving his fringe off his forehead as he did. He kept up the rhythm, hoping it would lull the little boy back to sleep, but Harry's eyes only seemed to become more alert.

"Someone was screaming," Harry finally whispered.

"In your dream?"

Harry nodded. "And there was green everywhere--making everything glow. I think it was a lady... I could hear a baby crying."

Sirius tried to still the frantic beating of his heart. Albus had told him that Harry might remember.

"The memory is there, Sirius," Albus had explained quietly in the days before they had gone to the Dursleys. "I saw it in his mind. He can't understand it but it is there."

Sirius swallowed. "It's all right, Harry. It was a just a dream," he lied. "Just a dream and you're safe now. You're safe."

His fingers continued to soothe Harry's brow and eventually, the tired eyes drooped and Harry's breathing evened out. Sirius stayed awake for a long time, watching his godson sleep.