A Change Of Seasons

Winter had and come and gone almost just as quickly. Six months had now passed since they're arrival into the muggle world, and so much had taken place in that time. After the incident between the boys and their friends nearly 4 months back, and after some serious explaining between them all, it had worked out allright in the end. James and Peter had finally broken down at Harry and Draco's insistence, and even at school were no longer afraid to admit their liking for each other.

Michael had, with the help of the others, finally procured himself a girlfriend finally. She was also in 7th year, and well suited for him even in name, ironically enough, her name was Michelle, and the two of them seemed very happy together.

After repeated attempts after that from James, Peter, Michael and Michelle to set the boys up themselves, and politely being turned down by them with excuses that they were still 'seeing' their 'boyfriends' back in London, they gave up trying, and all 6 of them still were having a great time despite it.

Trips to the cinema in Glastonbury became nearly a weekly thing for them all on the weekends, along with trips to the nearest mall complexes as well. For the most part, the boys were incredibly happy though, even allowing Sirius his happiness with Ms. Argent, which wasn't easy on Sirius's part.

He had promised the boys he wasn't going to turn his head and become fancied with anyone, but the more Terra Argent, or Taryn Silver as it were, slipped into his daily routines, the more she became a steadfast part of his life, and eventually admitted to Harry and Draco that he was becoming quite in love with her even. The boys didn't say much on this, Sirius was a man and could do as he pleased, but they did remind him she was a muggle, and to be careful, of which Sirius only gave a thoughtful look and nodded that he would. Sirius still hadn't told them the truth bout Taryn, the right time just hadn't presented itself yet.

Over all though, with all these 'distractions', even Sirius became lax in the boys 'magical' teachings, half the time even forgetting completely about them in order to spend time with Taryn. She was quite the influence on him in a good sort of way actually, yet he still had not brought himself to tell her yet bout him being an animagus, not because he didn't trust her, or that he thought she wouldn't understand, he knew she would, but for his own personal reasons. "Snuffles" was a reminder to him of a time he'd rather forget, the time in Azkaban, his escape, and his hiding from the world. She was making him forget all that now, and "Snuffles" was just not a part of this new life.

It was a lazy Friday afternoon today, the kind of day that was still wintry enough at the end of March, with the sound of birds cawing, and the snows beginning to melt a bit, that Sirius, began to think that maybe it was time to tell the boys the truth bout her. For the past week now he had made a decision, one that was going to permanently change his life he hoped, and he hoped Taryn, and the boys, would be responsive to it. He hadn't discussed this issue with Taryn yet, he wanted it to be a surprize, and he hoped it would all work out right in the end. A few minutes later Taryn and the boys pulled up outside, and he got up to go out and meet them in the lounge.

It was a few months back, after Harry and Draco had realized that Ms. Argent was going to be a permanent addition apparently round the house that she had started taking them home rather then Sirius making the trip into town to get them, and though at first it was a bit awkward for the boys, it had worked out allright with little of the usual teenage embarrassments that accompanied their father seeing a school worker.

"Dad we're home!" Harry called out, then saw him standing in the lounge near the fireplace. "Oh, there you are. What an ruddy awful day!" he said dropping his rucksack on the ground near the sofa and sat down with a groan.

"Agreed. It's nearly 2 more months till final exams, why do they have to make us start studying for them now?" Draco said whinging while dropping down his rucksack as well next to Harry's and also sitting down on the sofa with a sigh.

"You'll be grateful for that come end of May you know. Hello darling." Taryn said walking in and seeing Sirius went to give him a little kiss. "Looks like you've had a right hell day yourself. Everything allright?" she said giving him the once over.

Sirius chuckled, "You know me too well Terra. I'm allright, but there's something I have to discuss with you. With all of you actually." he said turning serious now.

"We're not in any sort of trouble are we dad? It was James and Peter's fault with that little incident in the girls lockers, I swear it!" Harry said nervously.

Sirius gave him an odd look, and grinned. "No, isn't anything to do with a girls locker, though you will have to tell me bout that one another time. Quite 'marauderish' it sounds to me." he said.

Upon hearing the word "marauderish" Harry and Draco gave a start. They knew of course bout the marauders, but for Sirius to blatantly use that word round a muggle woman, who oddly enough had quite a glint in her eyes and was chuckling at the use of it, was more then unusual.

"I take it you've decided to tell them finally then?" Taryn said softly, still grinning at Sirius.

"Tell us what?" Draco said fully as confused as Harry now, and looking back and forth between Sirius and Taryn.

"Do you want to tell them, or should I?" Taryn said looking at Sirius thoughtfully now.

"I think my dear heart, you should do the honours. And when you're done, there's something else we need to discuss." he said giving her a go ahead nod.

"Well boys, it's like this...." she began, and for nearly the next hour went into the details of who she really was, how she was related to Severus, and how she had come to be living and working here in the muggle world.

"So...so you're really one of us then? Wow, that's actually..well...cool! Even if you are a Slytherin, atleast you're a nice one. One day please tell me what my mum was like though?" Harry said smiling at her. "Ironic though that dad should fall in love with a muggle, who isn't even a muggle a'toll!" he laughed.

Taryn smiled at him and nodded. "Of course, I'll tell you all I knew about Lily Evans, since I knew her before she married your dad of course. But they were quite an item even then for two people who had hated each other so much while growing up. Quite a lot like you two really." she grinned.

"I didn't even know Severus had any relatives. Does he know who you are now?" Draco said equally awed by all this.

"Yes, and no. He knows I'm still alive, but not where I am or what I look like. I..I haven't exactly been in touch with him since...since he became a death eater you could say. For a while before that we did pass a few owls in secret, but it all ended when after Hogwarts he took the mark. After knowing how me father died he still took it, and I wanted to hate him for it, and for a very long time, I did." she said with a sigh. It had hurt her quite a bit when she'd found out what he had become back then and what drove him to it. But that was the past now, and according to Albus, he wasn't like that anymore thankfully.

"Well...bugger this is a twist in things isn't it. So, now what happens?" Draco said trying to take her mind off her cousin for he could see the hurt still in her eyes.

"I dont know, honestly. That all depends on...you Siri." she said looking up at him lovingly.

This is what Sirius had hoped for, had wanted for a while now. Gazing lovingly at Taryn, the cunning Slytherin woman who had so well captivated his heart, he walked over to her, taking her by the hand.

"Taryn, these past few months have been like heaven to me. For all the things I have endured all these many years, I never once thought that I would ever be deemed worthy enough to be loved, nor love someone in return. I've seen too many people love and die for that love, and now I understand why. You're everything to me now, and I cant imagine a day of my life without you, and naturally the boys, in it. Taryn Silver, will you do me the greatest honour a man can ask for...by becoming my wife?" he said softly, and getting down on his knee, took out a small jewellery case, opening it up for her.

Taryn looked at him in shock, which gave way almost immediately to one of pure happiness. She always had assumed she wasn't going to marry, atleast not a muggle, that much of the family pride she still had even if only a little, so she resigned herself to the fact that as a muggle she wouldn't marry. To find now that she was loved like this, and that man was not only a pureblood as old as her own line, but that it was Sirius Black, was almost enough to put her to tears.

"Oh Sirius, of course I'll marry you! I love you so very much, how could I dare refuse?" she said tears forming now in her eyes in joy as Sirius beamed and lovingly placed the ring on her finger.

Sirius leaned in and kissed her, which brought a smile from Harry and Draco, even if they had suddenly been forgotten for the moment. Draco took hold of Harry's hand then, and turning to Harry in the joy of the moment, gazed lovingly at him. Harry was still looking at his godfather, a smile playing acrost his lips as he thought how good a couple Taryn and Sirius did indeed make. Sirius desevered this happiness, and he wasn't going to take it away from him. Turning now to Draco, he gazed just as lovingly at him, and now that he knew Taryn knew who they really were, felt no guilt at drawing Draco into his arms and holding him there.

A bit later they all sat down to discuss what would happen next. Sirius wanted to get married right away, but Taryn argued that he was still in hiding and they should wait. Harry and Draco felt that under the circumstances, they should marry as 'muggles', considering the whole town knew anyway by now that they were seeing each other and were expecting it anyway. Weddings were certainly a big event round here, from the ones they had observed, and the boys said that later on they could always have a wizarding ceremony when they weren't hiding any longer. Taryn eventually agreed, and they decided to approach a muggle 'minister' about it the very next day.

Taryn in the meantime till the wedding, would move in with them all at the bungalow, over quite a few protests from the boys at who would get which room. They certainly weren't willing to part with the queensized bed, nor were Sirius and Taryn willing to accept 2 double beds. In the end, it was decided that they would write the owner of the bungalow and ask for special circumstances to remove the 2 double beds, and buy a new queen or kingsized one for Taryn and Sirius, and that settled those matters, while unwittingly bringing forth another matter.

"Siri, you're looking troubled, what's wrong?" Taryn said seeing his expression of worry on his face.

"Money. That's what the trouble is Tar. It was the other thing I had to discuss with the boys really. I hadn't planned on things lasting this long in the muggle world, and honestly, we're bout skint. If I cant figure out a way to get to London and Gringott's soon, we're in trouble." Sirius said with a sigh.

"You're joking right dad? How can we be broke allready?" Harry asked concerned.

"I'm not putting blame anywhere boys, but even though I've gone and signed a monthly contract on the house reducing the rate about £100 pounds a month that way, you're little diversions out weekly, food, clothing, school items...it adds up. I thought I'd have enough for almost a year, but we've managed in 6 months to eat it all up. I just am going to have to risk the trip to London, that's that." he said with a determined look on his face.

Taryn debated a minute, but then decided to say something she had been putting off for a bit now. "Sirius, you cant. I was going to wait and not tell all of you this, but I'm afraid I have no choice. I received an owl post from Albus just at the beginning of this week, and well...perhaps you should see it for yourself." she said pulling out a piece of parchment now from her pocket and handing it to Sirius, who scanned, then reread it thoroughly a second time, a shocked look on his face.

"Well? What is it dad? What does Dumbledore say?" Harry said slightly annoyed now that Sirius wasn't saying anything a'toll.

"It's...I suppose I'll read it out loud then, you boys have to know this too." Sirius said with a frown and began to read the letter.

* * * * *

I hope I find you well, and I would not have risked sending this owl unless it were needed. You must reach Sirius, and the boys, and let them know this, they're very lives are at stake if not.

Lucius paid me a visit this morning to my dismay. I have repeatedly told him I know nothing of their whereabouts, nor of Sirius Black, however he is most unconvinced. He has been using magical and muggle authorities in trying to track Sirius and Harry and Draco down, and after searching now all of Scotland, has began his efforts southward, to England.

He is working his way southwest, combing every town, village and city he comes across with all the methods at his disposal, even muggle ones as I said. Although I am convinced there is no way he is aware of the use of the Reforma Potion they are taking, and their altered appearances, he has made it quite known he is looking for a single man with 2 boys, which I am sure even in the muggle world, is not an everyday occurance.

You must warn him that I fear that he is getting close to Bristol as I write this, and will most likely work his way east from there, putting Sirius and boys at risk. I am aware that Sirius wrote to Arabella Figg months ago, but she felt it wasn't wise to respond to him at the time, and it was good she did not for Lucius was having her watched. Tell Sirius that she is sorry she could not respond, I hope he wasn't slighted by the fact she did not come to him as asked, and she hopes all is well with him now.

I place their safety in your hands child, although I know it will be quite much to ask of you. Should you need me, you know where to find me, and my owl is always at your disposal. Keep them safe, and if you do happen to see Lucius, do not attempt to overtake him, rather get Sirius and the boys away quickly and have them return here.

I feel I should warn you that Lucius has broken from Voldemort's grasp now to do this on his own bidding. I fear he has become slightly unhinged from the loss of his wife Narcissa somehow, and then the supposed kidnapping of his son, and it's highly possible he has become a tad bit mentally unstable from it. He is more dangerous this way then any other way he has been before, so again, do not attempt to fight him, return home at once where I will alert a team that is secretly in waiting to apprehend him.

Sadly they cannot make a move sooner, they need more then just his attempts to locate you to do anything. He still holds much power at the ministry, and they are more then reluctant to do anything against him when he is only looking for his son as it were. However should he find all of you, they dont realize he would not hesitate to kill Sirius, and do gods know what to Draco and Harry. Here atleast I can hopefully protect them, in the muggle world I cannot.

Take care of yourself, and them. I have informed Severus of you're intercedence in this matter, and both he and Remus wish you well. Severus wishes to make amends with you Taryn, anytime you are ready to accept it. He says you are welcome to owl him should you wish to return contact.

Till we meet again Taryn. Tell everyone they have been missed.

* * * * *

As Sirius's voice faded away from reading the letter, the room was most definitely subdued. Noone knew quite what to say, until Sirius finally broke the silence.

"Well then. It appears that my proposal was not a moment too late, Lucius will hardly be suspective of a married couple with 2 sons now will he." he said forcing a weak smile to his face.

"But...everyone knows we arrived alone though dad, what if he asks the townspeople? They would tell him for sure that we arrived alone!" Harry said still horrorstruck at all of this.

Draco was thinking however and voiced his thoughts, "Actually Dan, it's perfect. It doesn't really matter that we arrived alone, Lucius wouldn't bother with someone who'd marry a muggle, dont you see? He doesn't know who Taryn is a'toll, but he does know dad, and he knows dad wouldn't ever marry a muggle being he's a pureblood."

Sirius looked a bit surprized at that comment, but then laughed actually. "You're right! Believe or not Tom, you're absolutely right! I made no bones bout the fact I was a pureblood in school, and he was appalled that even though I was a Gryffindor, that I would have a muggleborn friend like Lily. It was just another nail in the coffin for James, Peter, Remus and myself to have Lils as a best friend, since we all were purebloods, and it drove Lucius batty that would could stoop so low. No, he would never think that I of all people, would marry a muggle!" he grinned.

"Well I hope your right, but knowing Lucius as I did, I think you are. I do remember times when Lucius would talk to Severus in the commons bout the four of you, cursing you all for associating with 'mudbloods', that you were purebloods and should act according to your birthrights. It really did infuriate him to no end." Taryn said remembering back all those years ago.

"Well hopefully then that will be a problem solved. But dad, can you really risk going to London right now then with Lucius perhaps round the corner?" Harry said worry seeping back into his voice.

"I'm afraid I have to, even with Lucius on the prowl. I simply wont be able to pay out any cheques if I dont have some more money. It most likely will take Lucius quite a while to scour Bristol anyway, which gives us some time. And I dont want to hear that we can live off you're earnings Taryn, I wont allow it. I do have my pride after all you know." he said as he saw she was about to say something, and almost reading her thoughts.

"Well, if you wont accept my help financially, then accept it in other ways Sirius. Truth is I have quite a nice home here, we had more then enough money put away back then to actually buy something rather then hire. Save yourselves some money atleast, and move in with me. I have 3 bedrooms at the house, two of them equipped with kingsized beds." she said grinning at the boys.

"Hmm, when you put it that way, I think that would be a good idea. It certainly would save me some money, and we all get what we want." Sirius said now with a real smile on his face. "However, I still must go to London, no two ways bout it."

"Actually Siri, now that I think on it, I think it's a bloody awful idea. You're not thinking are you." Taryn said with a frown on her face.

"Thinking what?" Sirius said.

"Really Sirius, it looks like you're going to have no choice but to rely upon my money for a while. Not that's a problem, it isn't. Mum left me quite a nice little amount when she died actually."

"Dad, she's right! I see what you're getting at now, of course, it's so simple!" Harry said nodding at Taryn.

"What is so simple then that I'm apparently missing?" Sirius said with a scowl.

Even Draco by now was beginning to see the flaw in this plan. "Honestly dad, how could you have missed it. What we're trying to say is that it certainly would be odd for someone at this stage of the game, to walk into Gringotts asking to go to 'Sirius Black's Vault' dont you think? I dont know for sure, but I'm guessing Lucius is having the bank watched, and goblins, in case you've forgotten, are loyal to those who pay them. I bet 10 to 1 on the odds, Lucius has done that."

Sirius groaned, "By gods, you're right. Of course he'd be watching the bank for anyone asking to go to either my or Harry's or you're vaults. He knows we're in the muggle world now, and he knows we'd most likely need money eventually. How stupid could I have been!" he said sitting down on the sofa and sighing. Looking up at Taryn now he simply said, "You sure it's allright with you then? I really hate knowing I cant provide for my wife, and our 'sons' so to speak."

Taryn nodded. "If you're still wanting to take care of me Sirius Black, then you'll allow this. I've no wish to lose you now, or ever, and going to London is too great a risk now. Forget you're silly pride man, and think of the boys. Think of me. We need you here, not dead somewhere's in the backstreets of Diagon Alley allright?"

"You're right. I told you that you're good influences were rubbing off on me woman, and I for one, am glad they are. We'll make the arraignments quickly then. Tomorrow, so that we can move in to your place by next week. Is that allright everyone?"

Harry, Draco and Taryn all nodded, once again hoping things would work out in the end. Though Sirius wasn't going to admit it, he was secretly beginning to hope he didn't have to return to the wizarding world, atleast not yet. The muggle world had offered him, and brought him things he never expected, and like the boys, he was beginning to enjoy not being the 'escaped convict' and living life on rats and scraps as a dog. And of course, it had brought him Taryn. The woman he would spend the rest of his life with now, whom he loved and respected, and was willing to give up his steadfast pride even for. The boys could return to their old lives if they wished, but Sirius intended to never feel lost and hopeless again, even if he had to live as "Alan David Brandon" for the rest of his life.

Let Lucius come, let the entire magical world come, they couldn't take away what he was trying so hard to preserve, however if the need arose he would do as Albus said, and not confront this new madman. They might have to run for a little while, but they would be back, atleast Sirius and Taryn would come back, of that he had no doubts. Life as a muggle, or life as a wanted criminal...there wasn't any decision to be made, any doubt in his mind, which he would pick. Even if it meant never using magic again.

* * * * *

2002-03-07 1:46:03 AM