𝙿𝚞𝚖𝚙𝚔𝚒𝚗 𝙿𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚎𝚜 - 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑤𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑙𝑒𝑦 | ✔︎

Chapter 8

The sun rarely shone into the windows of Grimmauld Place, but for some strange reason, sunshine poured down from the windows of Natasha's room, illuminating her body. She jolted up at first, confused on why she was in bed so late on a Monday, but quickly recalled the events of last night.

Most importantly, reuniting with her father.

Still in her clothes from the night before, she ran downstairs to the kitchen where her father was busy reading about himself in the Daily Prophet. "Honestly, it's like they didn't have a comb for me, my god how awful is my hair?" he exclaimed, as he stirred sugar into his tea.

"Dad, combs are for wusses. Everyone knows hands do just as well," Natasha pointed out, bringing Sirius back from the dark place of bad hair.

"Ah, but you see, every girl in my year level at Hogwarts would sell their right foot just to have one of my combs," Sirius retorted, standing up to hug Natasha, his clothes definitely looking better than they had just a mere 24 hours ago.

"Oh, I could get used to this," Natasha mumbled, the scent of her father's cologne filling her nose once more. She took the seat next to Sirius as Kreacher served up some toast with jam, which she sweetly thanked him for.

"You do realise that just because Dumbledore is okay with you galivanting around with me for a day or two, you have to go back to school?" Sirius asked, and Natasha raised her eyebrows as Sirius waved a letter in her face from the headmaster.

"Ugh, is he serious?" she groaned, smacking her head on the table and Sirius laughed, pulling her back up.

"No sweetheart, I'm Sirius."

~.~

The Weasley's family owl Errol dropped by multiple letters, from Molly, the twins and Charlie, who had been alerted by Molly. Natasha tipped the tired owl graciously, letting him rest up on the roof with her mother's owl.

Molly's should have come in a Howler form as she went off at Sirius, ranting about how stupid he had been and how reckless his actions were. Sirius just chuckled at that part, muttering something about the overprotective nature of the woman.

Molly also addressed how Natasha was home, stating she would be visiting later that evening to ensure the two had a proper meal, not trusting Kreacher with the task.

Charlie's letter was short, as he had promised to see Natasha later using their two-way mirror, which she never let go of.

Finally, as Natasha opened Fred and George's letter, a spray of confetti came out, with sparkling images of the two smiling, which Kreacher spent hours scrubbing off of the dining room table. They were both happy for her, and said they would continue to prank without her, causing Natasha to giggle.

For the whole day, Natasha and Sirius talked, sending Kreacher out to fetch food as the cupboards hadn't been stocked for months. They discussed the house, both strongly agreeing it needed renovations.

For the first time in a long time, both felt safe, with a fire crackling in the unused fireplace and the view of Muggles with their families outside bringing some entertainment to the father and daughter.

Sirius saw so much of himself in Natasha, from the way her eyes lit up at the sight of her pranking materials, to the way she sighed when she wasn't getting the attention she wanted.

She was the female embodiment of himself.

The clock in the hall struck seven, and there was a crack in the living room, frightening the living day lights out of both Sirius and Natasha. "MERLIN'S SAGGY LEFT NUT!" Natasha shouted as Molly Weasley appeared, a frown on her face from Natasha's colourful language.

"Natasha Lily Black, I have been raising you for two years, and you still carry around that mouth!" she cried, her scary face on. Sirius chuckled, directing Molly's attention to him, making him throw his hands up in surrender and use his child as a shield.

"Sirius Orion Black, are you using your child as a shield?" Molly accused; her hands placed firmly on her hips. Sirius snuck out from behind Natasha expecting the worst, but instead was pulled into a hug from the woman, who had been like an older sister to him during the early days of the Order.

"I've missed you Molls," he muttered, and Molly smiled knowingly, a tinge of sadness clouding her normally cheerful eyes.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, the both of you. I know Aurelia was the love of your life Sirius, and I know even though you drifted, how much she adored you Natasha." A tear slipped down Natasha's cheek, and she ran forward, catching Molly in a hug.

Molly caressed the child's head, just as she had done on many occasions. She had noticed her son's jacket around the girl, but didn't bring it up, knowing exactly how Fred and Natasha felt.

She just hoped they would own up to their feelings sooner rather than later.

~.~

For the next few hours, after a generous meal from Molly, the three caught up, with Molly bringing out a ticket for the Quidditch World Cup that was happening in summer. Natasha's face lit up in glee, bringing a smile to Sirius' face.

An owl arrived from McGonagall, who stated her fireplace would be free all day for Natasha to return home. Molly had brought a change of clothes for the girl, promising to wash the dirty ones once she returned back to the Burrow.

Molly fussed mostly over Sirius, cutting his hair to a nice shoulder length and giving him an array of potions to help with his injuries from Remus.

By the end of the night, Natasha and Sirius were both worn out from the care of Molly, who left the two-sound asleep on the couch, smiling softly as their heads lay on each other. She had known Sirius for quite a while, though her schooling had finished as his had started.

She could see how close Natasha and Sirius were, even though they hadn't seen each other for 12 years. She just hoped they could stay like this forever, though a small voice in the back of her mind said otherwise.