It takes two | Sirius Black

13.

Sirius forced his eyes to stay open as he read his textbook, their exams were fast approaching and he had to pass. He needed to secure a future for his family. He'd never really cared much about his education before, himself and the other Marauders had vowed to join the Order and fight for the greater good once school was finished. Now, however he would have to at least try and find a plan for once the war was over.

He imagined a modest house in the middle of nowhere, just him, Kate, their son and future dog. Fields surrounding them for miles, plenty of space for Zion to learn the skills of Quidditch. He would still see his friends all the time, they'd still run with the wolf of the full moon and visit the Potter's at Christmas. Without a doubt Zion's annoying Uncle's would visit weekly, if not daily. They had all really taken to him in a way Sirius' could only have dreamed of.

He looked at the fireplace in the common room, knowing everyone else was sound asleep and wondered if Zion was keeping his Mum awake. He hated being apart from them, he was itching for the day they moved into the Potters and he could actually help with the feeds and the late nights.

"I'm being discharged." Kate smiles as Sirius walks into the ward the next morning.

She's sat fully dressed on the bed with Zion in her arms, wrapped securely in the blanket Moony had made. She has a bag packed next to her, her hair in the two braids style that Sirius loved. She looked much happier and healthier not buried by blankets and dark circles under her eyes.

"Do you need me to carry your bag back up to the dorm?" Sirius asks, reaching out to grab it.

Kate shakes her head puzzled, "Do you not know?"

"Know what?"

"I'm not staying at the castle, I'm not allowed with a baby." Kate says as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Sirius furrows his eyebrows, "What? Where are you two going then?!"

"The Potters.." Kate whispers, "I really thought you knew..I'll be travelling by floo powder to attend the exams.."

"Wait. So I'm not going to see my son?"

Kate shakes her head, "What? Of course you will! I'll bring him here and Dumbledore gave word that you could visit whenever you want. Sirius, we agreed to this months ago at the meeting, remember?"

Sirius shrugs, "I stopped listening after awhile..Dumbledore drones on and on."

"Right.. well either way you'll still be seeing Zion." Kate smiles placing her hand on his arm, "I wouldn't keep you two apart. You're a great Father, although he's too much like you for my liking."

"Yeah he is very good looking." Sirius nods, taking the baby out of Kates arms and rocking him gently.

"Snores like you too."

Sirius pauses, glaring at Kate playfully, "Excuse et moi, I DON'T snore."

"Oh my darling but you do. It's like a bulldozer."

"A what?"

Kate smiles, "A muggle thing."

"Bitch."

"Language!"

"He's a week old, he's hardly going to copy me." Sirius smirks, silently hoping that his first word would be something iconic.

********

Sirius, James, Remus and Regulus all watch solemnly as Fleamont takes Kate's bag and steps into the fireplace, followed by Euphemia. Sirius reaches forward, cuddling Kate again and kissing Zion on the head for the 10,000th time.

"We will see you tomorrow." Kate reminds him, pecking his cheek, "He will be okay."

Hogwarts was the safest place in the wizarding world, Sirius couldn't help but worry. If his parents found Zion on the black family tapestry, they were no longer in the safe place. He didn't doubt Fleamont's extravagant thorough security system, but he knew his parents. They'd broken through said security at the Potters before, in an attempt to force Sirius to come home after he fled.

Regulus was perhaps the only other person in the room who understood the fear Sirius had. At Hogwarts they were free from the torture their parents put them through, Sirius more so now he'd left. Hogwarts was the only place Walburga and Orion couldn't get to them, even if they wanted to. James had faith in his parents ability to keep others safe. Remus still wasn't fully aware of the happenings in the Noble house of Black. Only Regulus and Sirius knew the full impact and terror their parents had.

Sirius waved hopelessly as Kate and Zion disappeared in the flames. Dumbledore patted him on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort him, but it was pointless. Although he was technically only allowed to see Zion during visiting hours, Madame Pomfrey had made many exceptions and now he wasn't even under the same roof. He couldn't help Kate anywhere near as much as he wanted and now they were miles apart.

"Don't worry mate, they'll both be okay." James reassures.

"I think you'll find the return of the missing Marauder in the Great Hall too." Dumbledore smiles.

James, Remus and Sirius exchange glances and race down to the hall, pushing eachother out of the way. Sure enough, Pete was sat with Lily, Mary and Marlene.

"You were so brave." Mary nodded, "He finally got what he deserved."

"Wormy!" James yells dramatically, throwing his arms around his friend, "Our hero!"

"Ugh don't, my parents have spent the entire time lecturing me and made me write an apology letter to Severus." He groans.

"But you broke his nose!" James says proudly.

"And my fingers." Pete replies gloomily, looking down at his bandaged hand.

"Minor details!" James shrugs, squeezing in next to Pete, "Our nephew is bloody brilliant."

"Looks exactly like his Dad." Lily gushes, "Future heart breaker for sure."

Sirius laughs at Lily taking a seat across from Pete, "Thanks for breaking his face Wormy."

"Good to have you back mate!" Remus grins, sitting besides Sirius.

The friends catch up properly;they discuss Petes ridiculous apology letter and revenge to get on Severus; they talk about Zion; the upcoming exams and their futures; they talk about Zion some more until they're the last ones in the Great Hall, laughing and shouting like teenagers should.