A Life More Ordinary

Grimmauld Place, September 5, 1992

Harry rested his elbows on his pretzeled legs, his chin propped in his hand as he sat on his parents' bed, watching Remus straightening Sirius' tie. "Any tighter and I won't be able to breathe..."

"Hush," Remus said and Harry smiled as he pretended to scowl. "And hold still... Harry fidgets less than you."

Two indignant huffs sounded together.

"I don't fidget!"

Sirius slanted Harry a glance. Harry shrugged. "Well, you do too."

"I," Sirius said with exaggerated dignity, "do not fidget." And to make his point, he held perfectly still while Remus arranged the knot. And when Remus was done, Sirius gestured grandly with his palms up. "See?"

"Yes, well done," Remus said dryly.

Sirius grinned. "Why, thank you." He kissed Remus' cheek before turning toward the wardrobe for shoes.

"And how about you?" Remus said to Harry as he came over to the bed and planted a hand atop Harry's head; Harry squinted up at him. "Are you all packed?"

"Yeah."

"You have all of your assignments?"

"In my bag."

"And you have your Portkey."

Harry patted the tiny disk hanging round his neck--charmed to be both invisible and immovable, except by his parents.

Remus nodded but didn't immediately let go. He looked like he was going to say something, but instead he sighed and pulled Harry to his chest. His hand brushed through Harry's hair several times. Harry stayed very still and was startled further as Remus said quietly, "I love you very much." He stepped back before Harry could react and then addressed Sirius as well even as he turned to the door, "Breakfast is in five minutes. And we need to hurry along, or you'll be late."

Harry stared after him. He looked up as Sirius' arm settled across his shoulders. Feeling confused and not sure why, Harry tilted his head and got a soft smile in response. He let himself be prodded off the bed.

"Hold on there," Sirius said, grabbing the back of Harry's robes and steering him into the loo. He plucked a comb from the counter.

Harry grumbled as he accepted it and tried unsuccessfully to tame his hair. He made a face in the mirror. "It isn't any use, you know. It never lies flat."

Sirius was smiling. "Just like your dad's..."

No matter how many times Sirius said it, it always made Harry grin. "Yeah," he said. He tossed the comb back onto the counter and raked his hands upward several times, grinning at the result. He really did look like his dad that way.

"Oy," Sirius said dramatically. "Let's not overdo it..." He planted his hands on Harry's shoulders and spun him toward the door. Sparing one last glance toward the mirror, he only moved when Sirius swatted him on the seat of his pants.

"All right, all right," he said with a grin as he dodged the next bit of encouragement.

--

Draco sighed as he unwound his tie for the third time; he couldn't seem to make his fingers stop fumbling.

"Young master would like Dobby's help?"

Draco glanced at Dobby's twitching reflection and with a small nod, he stepped back. Dobby pushed Draco's desk chair over to the mirror and hopped up.

"Young master looks most distinguished," Dobby said as he maneuvered the silk with expert fingers. Draco smiled half-heartedly but his shoulders were soon sagging again. Dobby was just giving the tie a final tug when Narcissa came in, her footsteps silent on the carpet. She smiled at Draco's reflection and came to stand behind him. Dobby bowed low and moved away.

"So handsome, my darling," his mother said; she reached over his shoulders and ran her fingers down the tie, smoothing it. "Just like your father."

Draco smiled fully that time. His mother bent and kissed his cheek. "Come along, love" she murmured, patting his shoulder gently. "Dobby, his satchel."

Dobby scrambled to obey, hefting Draco's large bag onto his back. He followed mother and son as they descended the curving staircase. Lucius turned from the mirror in the entryway, his cane already situated in his hand. Draco looked up at him, wondering idly if he'd ever be as tall as his father.

Lucius took his chin and tipped it up, grey eyes roving over Draco's perfectly parted hair and his knotted tie; his small smile indicated approval. "Dobby has packed everything? Your assignments as well?"

"Yes sir."

Lucius nodded and released his hold. "Come along then," he said as Minxa, the other elf, draped a traveling cloak over his shoulders. "We do not wish to be late."

--

Harry groaned as the world screamed into focus again. Sirius' arms tightened around him. "You all right?"

"Yeah."

Sirius held on to him for another moment though, until the landscape no longer tilted. "I hate Apparating," he muttered as he shoved his glasses up his nose. Sirius ruffled his fringe, commiserating with a smile. They could have Flooed into the headmaster's office but since it was a formal sort of visit for his godfather, Sirius had wanted to Apparate to the main gates.

"You don't like the Floo either," Sirius reminded him with a teasing smile as he shifted Harry's bag against his shoulder. Harry shrugged; that was true enough.

There was a muffled pop behind them. "Harry! Sirius!"

Mrs. Weasley, as if she hadn't just Apparated as well, came hurrying over to them, her face lighting with her smile as she pulled Harry in for a hug. She hugged Sirius as well; patting his cheek and telling him he was too thin, which made Sirius laugh. "I don't think I've ever been so stout," he chuckled.

"Oh nonsense," she clucked. "All three of you are thin as rails! Clearly Arthur and I need to have you for dinner more often, and Harry, you need to eat more, especially now that you aren't at home." With a gleam in her eye as she led them through the gates, she said decisively, "The board simply needs to speak with the house-elves about proper nutrition. I imagine these children don't touch a vegetable for months on end..."

Sirius and Harry exchanged glances and Harry had to press his lips together as Sirius fought a laugh. Mrs. Weasley went on and on, finally stopping for breath when they reached the wide front steps. But only because the steps were cluttered with Weasleys, all of them grinning and Mrs. Weasley had her arms full a moment later, doling out kisses and hugs.

"George, you're hair isn't even combed," she scolded, still hugging Ginny with one arm and using the other to dig through her cavernous shoulder bag with the other. George made a face and ducked away.

"Ron's the one with the rat's nest!"

"Hey!" Ron tried to scamper away from his mother, but Mrs. Weasley was too fast and Ron's head was soon being attacked by a comb while Fred and George chortled.

"Honestly Ron," Percy said with a sniff, "you'd think you'd have learned by now to at least comb your hair before you leave the dorm."

"I did!"

"Yeah," Fred chimed in. "He spent nearly an hour in front of his mirror, didn't you Ronnie?"

"I did not!"

"Hold still!"

"Mum!"

"Better keep still, Ronnie-kins" Fred began with a grin.

"-or you won't have any hair left," George finished.

"Shut up, you tossers!"

"Now, now Ronnie dear."

"Ugh," Ginny said with a sigh as she came to stand beside Sirius and Harry, who were staring at the fracas. "They're completely embarrassing."

"See how lucky you are?" Sirius said, nudging Harry's ribs. "At least I let you comb your own hair."

Harry smirked, though he did feel a bit bad for his friend. Ron broke free then and launched himself at his brothers. The twins grunted in surprise but before Ron did any real damage, they'd recovered and were attempting to put him in a headlock. Percy squeaked as a rogue leg shot out and made him lose his balance.

Sirius swiftly pulled Ginny and Harry back several paces, saving them from a similar fate just as Mrs. Weasley shouted, "Boys!" But they paid her no mind and Ron was rapidly turning an alarming shade of burgundy.

"Oy," Sirius muttered and with an expert hand, he hauled Percy up from the frenzy of feet with one hand and gripped George's arm with the other. George stopped struggling as soon as his eyes met Sirius' scowl.

"Inside," Sirius ordered, pushing him toward the entrance before George could protest.

Mrs. Weasley swatted Fred about the head until he relinquished his hold and with a lopsided sneer for Ron, he followed after his twin. His face flaming, Ron fended off his mother's hands and darted down the stairs.

And nearly ploughed into Lucius Malfoy.

He veered in time to avoid him and tore off across the grass, toward the lake. Everybody watched him go--except Draco and Harry. Their eyes met and Harry wasn't sure whether to smile or not. Neither of them had said very much as they'd munched scones yesterday. And Mrs. Malfoy had only spoken twice, to murmur her assent when Sirius had offered tea. She'd murmured her farewells too, though she had spared a small smile for Harry.

Harry still didn't like her.

Mr. Malfoy and Draco continued their aborted journey up the stairs, with Dobby a few steps behind. Harry glanced up as Sirius' arm came over his shoulder. Sirius drew him backward until Harry bumped into his chest.

Mr. Malfoy and Sirius stared at one another, Sirius' jaw working just enough that Harry knew he was trying very hard not to speak. Mrs. Weasley, whose hair looked a bit like it had been in the fight with her sons, shooed Ginny and Percy toward the castle doors and came to stand beside Sirius as she smoothed her hair.

"Harry, dear," she said and Harry unwillingly turned his attention to her. "I think you might have a bit of luck with Ron just now."

Harry didn't really want to leave, but Sirius' hand patted against his ribs and when he looked up, his godfather was smiling a little. He gestured with his head, toward a spot away from the little group. When they were alone, Sirius gave Harry his bag and waited while Harry adjusted it over his shoulder.

"You don't have much time before your first class," he said as he loosened Harry's knot, tugged it this way and that and then tightened it once more. "If Ron won't come, you and Draco still need to go. Professor McGonagall is expecting you."

"I know."

"And you have your Portkey. Of course, you'll probably never need to use it, but we'll all feel better this way I think. And your mirror is in your pocket? Good. And you know I always have mine if you need to contact us-" Sirius cocked his head, cutting himself off mid-word as his lips quirked. "I'm rambling."

Harry shrugged, smiling a little too. Sirius shook his head and knelt on one knee so that Harry was looking down at him instead of up.

Sirius took his upper arms in a light hold. "Do your old man a favor? Stay away from anything that even has a hint of danger-"

"Quidditch?"

Sirius scowled but his eyes were dancing. "You can play Quidditch, but that's as much danger as you're allowed. No more unauthorized trips into Basilisk's nests, understood?"

Harry nodded, a smile bubbling up. "How about enchanted cars?" He was a little surprised that he dared but Sirius chuckled.

"I'm fairly certain Dumbledore doesn't keep any around." He gave Harry's stomach a gentle poke. "If you see one, run for your life."

Harry grinned. "I can do that."

"Good." And before another word could be uttered, Sirius pulled him in for a hug so tight that it put Mrs. Granger's to shame. Draco and his father were still standing near Mrs. Weasley--Harry could see them over Sirius' shoulder.

"You and Mr. Malfoy aren't going to duel or anything, are you?"

Sirius' eyebrows were climbing into his fringe as he pulled away. "Of course not."

"But you're angry with him."

Sirius glanced back at the Malfoys. "I am. Don't fret over it, though," he added with an encouraging smile. "I have absolutely no intention of dueling with anyone. Now, you go on and find Ron... and don't be late to class."

"I won't," Harry promised.

Smiling, Sirius stood up and tapped Harry's cheek with the back of his fingers. "Have a bit of fun too, yeah?"

Harry smiled. Sirius hooked his elbow round Harry's neck and brought him close; they walked back to the gathered group that way, Sirius smiling down at him the whole way.

Mrs. Weasley' smile seemed strained--like she'd been trying too long not to frown. And Draco was nodding at something his father had said. He paused in his pivot toward the front doors as he found Harry in front of him. The smudges under his eyes weren't as dark as they had been in Dumbledore's office, but there was nothing easy about his posture. Harry gestured with his head toward the lake.

"Help me find Ron?"

Draco glanced at his father, but got no indication of what he should do as far as Harry could tell. But then Mr. Malfoy said, "Write to your mother tonight. She will be anxious."

Draco nodded. "Yes sir." Mr. Malfoy inclined his head, dismissing him, Harry figured and Draco left his father's side.

Sirius squeezed Harry's shoulder, sending him on his way with a smile and a wink. Harry lifted his fingers in a wave and then he and Draco loped down the steps together.

Sirius waited until they were out of range before he faced Lucius. He put a hand on Molly's arm; he could see her intended protest out of the corner of his eye. Lucius' features were rigid, but he didn't attempt to speak and Sirius realized his fury was pure determination.

And with his voice perfectly even, he said, "If my son is ever harmed again by something you've had a hand in, I will make certain you live the rest of your life in the company of Dementors."

Lucius' eye twitched but otherwise had no response. Sirius took a step back and gestured for Lucius to go first. Lucius' jaw tightened but he pivoted sharply, with Dobby quick to follow in his wake. Molly shook her head, looking relieved. Smiling, she patted his arm and feeling a bit like one of her own, he smirked and let her lead the way.

--

"What happened to Ron?"

The question was quiet but Harry was instantly grateful for it. "The twins were being gits... something about Ron's hair." Harry shrugged, empathizing with Draco's confusion.

"Too bad there are two of them, then," Draco murmured.

"There are three of us," Harry said, mostly in jest.

Draco's eyes flicked sideways, the grey clear and startled and then he looked down again and shrugged. "I don't think I'd better go looking for any more trouble this term." He said the words quickly, spitting them out as if they tasted foul.

"Yeah... guess not."

They were silent until they reached the rocky beach, where Ron was sitting. His hands sifted through the stones and when he found a smooth one, he threw it across the lake. It landed with a heavy plop.

Harry picked his way over the rocks and sat beside his friend, nudging his shoulder. Ron's head jerked up. "Oh... it's only you."

"Thanks," Harry drawled.

"Thought it was Mum." Ron picked up another pebble and tossed it away. It skipped a few times before sinking down. "I hate them."

Harry only nodded, having no frame of reference for hating brothers. Ron skipped another stone while Harry examined a rather triangular one. "McGonagall'll kill us if we're late," he said after he attempted to skip it.

Ron sighed. "Yeah." They stood together and as soon as they turned, Ron paused. Draco pressed his lips together and for a minute, Harry was sure he was thinking about bolting. Ron knew all about what had happened, of course; he'd visited for lunch yesterday.

Harry held his breath, but Ron only dug his hands into his pockets and said, "McGonagall will take more points off you two anyway. Some of us didn't get a holiday." He was half-smirking though, so Harry relaxed.

"A holiday?" he groused. "We still had to do our homework." Harry glanced over at Draco. "Unless Dobby did all of yours." He was immediately comforted by the look of offense Draco was favoring him with.

"Of course not."

"Not ever?" Harry prodded.

Draco smoothed his pin-straight robes; he was flushing.

"I knew it!" cried Ron.

"When I was younger," Draco defended himself as they climbed back up the hill. Harry snorted and Draco shrugged, a faint smile lightening the shadows under his eyes.

--

"Well," Molly said as she fastened her cloak in front of the castle's massive double doors nearly eight hours later, "that didn't go well at all, did it?"

Sirius sighed. "No it didn't." He handed Molly her bag, which she fixed over her arm as she clucked in irritation. "I shouldn't have asked you to join me... I'm sorry-"

"Now, none of that, Sirius," she said briskly. "We didn't expect it would be easy, did we? These old codgers-" Sirius bit back a smile, "-have been warming these seats for decades; and their fathers and mothers before that. We'll just have to keep at it, no matter how many insults they throw at us."

Well, Sirius was hardly worried about insults aimed at him. Molly, on the other hand...

She smiled, her brown eyes suffused with warmth. "Sirius, I do appreciate the concern on my behalf, but I have Prewett blood flowing through these veins, you know."

Sirius chuckled.

"Now," Molly said firmly, "I must stop in and speak to Minerva and then go home and tend to Arthur's dinner." She smiled again. "And I'm sure Remus is waiting for you. Say hello for me, would you?" She kissed his cheek and bustled away.

Sirius watched her go, his thoughts already with Remus. He turned when he heard Harry's voice, followed by his distinctive laugh. He was heading for the Great Hall, his friends clustered around him. Draco was even smiling, Sirius was relieved to see. Hermione came up from the other direction then and Harry grinned.

Sirius' smirk faltered a bit as Hermione and Draco eyed one another warily. Harry leaned over and Sirius could see that he was showing her something in a book he was holding. She nodded and a small smile brightened her face as she fell in step on his other side, Draco keeping pace again.

Sirius let his cloak hang loosely over his arm as he felt the tension loosening from his shoulders. Smiling to himself, he went out the great doors and back down the path. As soon as he passed the gate, he turned on the spot.

The world turned itself inside out and then righted again a moment later. He gazed at the bare French cottage of which Sirius was now the Secret Keeper. It was something, this tingle of anticipation as he thought of Remus. And he was grateful for it; every time as if it was the first.

He cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself, placed his mirror between his teeth and undressed, transferring the clothing inside the shack without a word. He closed his eyes and trained his thoughts inward, breathing deeply as he felt the familiar warmth and mild discomfort as his body transformed. He let his brain adjust as four feet settled on the cool grass before padding up to the door.

Charmed just for this purpose, he touched the doorknob with his nose. The lock sprang open; the door creaked as he nudged it with a paw.

Remus halted mid-step, his massive paw suspended in air. As much as he could with his long snout, Sirius grinned.

What is it with you and the pacing?

Remus' wolf-ears swiveled toward him. You're the one who can't hold still.

Sirius snorted, an effective sound even like this. He placed the mirror gently on his piled clothes, loped forward and nudged Remus' dark snout, nuzzling when Remus moved forward. How are you?

Tired.

Well, of course you are; if you've been pacing since you got here.

The brown eyes looking out of the wolf's face were every bit Remus and Sirius wondered how he'd ever lived without him. Very funny.

Sirius made a sound low in his throat that meant to be a chuckle. He nudged Remus again and with a breath through his nostrils, Remus circled near the fire, laying down when he found the perfect spot. How was Harry?

Sirius padded over to him. Perfect. I told him to fit some fun in between classes. Remus shook his head, those brown eyes amused.

Sirius curled up behind him and rested his snout near Remus' shoulder so that he could hear his husband's heartbeat. Remus breathed his contentment and Sirius closed his eyes as the steady thrum soothed him.