2 | CONFESSIONS° HARRY POTTER

18 | THE PHOENIX AND THE DOG

ACT FOUR, grief
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN, the phoenix and the dog

"Calypso," The voice that called out to her was as soft as a whisper and she recognized it instantly. Her eyes flew open and she saw Sirius leaning over her with a small, sad smile on his face. A small breath escaped her. It'd been a year and twelve days since he'd died and it had been the longest year of her life. She had forgotten so many tiny details about him in that time. The way his eyes seemed to soften whenever he looked at her, the way his voice was filled with so much love and appreciation whenever he said her name. He looked different from when she had seen him last. Now, he looked like he did when he was younger, when he was happier.

"Sirius," She said breathlessly. She brought a shaky hand up and touched his face cautiously, running her fingers over the surface as she committed every single detail of him to memory. She was too afraid to even blink, terrified that he would disappear if she did. Her eyes lined with tears that threatened to fall. "Is this really you?"

He kissed her in a way that was so familiar to her and it felt like coming up for air after being submerged for so long. It felt like she could finally breathe again. The tears ran down her face and all she could feel was him. He kissed her again and again, softly and passionately, before pulling away.

"You weren't supposed to meet me here this soon." He said. His voice was pained when he spoke. He had watched over her, waiting everyday for when he could be with her again but he hadn't wanted her to join him this soon. "You were supposed to have more time. Iris deserved more time with you."

"I know." She said sadly. Her sweet girl. She squeezed her eyes shut and cried softly. Sirius wiped her tears away and she looked up at him through her tears. "It's been so hard without you."

"I'm here now." Sirius said softly. "I'll never leave you again."

"Where is here?"

Calypso looked around the unfamiliar room. Sunlight flooded in through the curtains and there was a small fire crackling in the fireplace. The bed they were in was soft and warm and the covers were draped over their bodies. She didn't recognize this place.

"It's our home." Sirius said. She sat up and stared at everything once more, taking it all in.

"Home." She repeated softly.

Sirius crawled out of the bed and stood in front of her, his hand outstretched for her.

"Come on, love. The others are waiting for us."

She let out a soft gasp and grabbed his hand. She took a moment to admire the wedding ring on her finger, glad that it had come with her to the other side. Her wand laid beside his on the side table. He pulled her out of the door and led her down a long hallway to a set of stairs. She could hear voices that she hadn't heard in so many years speaking to each other. She stopped walking and Sirius turned back to look at her.

"Take your time." He said. Calypso nodded her head. She took a deep breath before she continued down the stairs.

" — don't be a pessimist, James! Harry will be fine."

She could hear Lily's voice, snapping at her husband before she saw her. Sirius led Calypso into a sitting room and there they all were. James, Lily, Dorcas, Ophelia, Fabian, Gideon, Marlene, Emmeline, Karma, and Benjy.

Calypso couldn't breathe when they all turned and looked at her.

James was on his feet in an instant.

"Cal . . ."

"James."

He threw his arms around her and she sniffled as she hugged him. It had been so long without James. Too long. He held her tightly in his arms and she could feel his tears falling on her head.