SHE'S ALL THAT ➭ SIRIUS BLACK ❨2❩ ✔︎

ACT FIVE, SCENE TWENTY NINE

FONTAINE MANOR

When Sage returned to her home towards the middle of July, Sirius was waiting for her on the front porch, arms crossed over his chest.

"You're late." He said gruffly, although he opened his arms to her and held her close when she went right to him. "You said it'd only take a week."

She sighed, burying her head in his chest. "I know. I'm sorry. But it took me a while to find Margot, and by the time I did, she insisted I stay with her for a day or two." She said, voice apologetic.

He kissed her then, passionately and with something unsaid within it.

Sage furrowed her eyebrows. "What is it? What's wrong?" She demanded, and her hands curled into the fabric of his shirt. She looked up at him with concern etched into her expression, and he placated her with a kiss on her forehead.

"Nothing, love. Harry's just worried about you. He thinks you'll be in danger now that Voldemort's back." Sirius replied in a whisper, lips still pressed between her eyebrows. He slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her into the house.

She snorted. "He's more observant than I gave him credit for. Is he in his room?"

Sirius nodded, reluctantly letting her go as she ran up the stairs to talk to her son.

Knocking on the door in two short raps, she said, "Hey, Harry? D'you have a minute to chat?"

The boy opened the door hesitantly, peeking out into the hallway. He wore a skeptical look and had headphones around his neck, as if he'd been listening to music before she'd interrupted. However leery he was, he opened the door wide enough to let her in.

"Listen, darling..." She began, not looking directly at him. "I know your entire world was flipped upside down when Voldemort came back. Trust me, I get it more than you will ever understand. I thought we were safe—Quirrel was easy, Tom Riddle's fucking ghost was easy, and Sirius was a fluke—but we aren't anymore.

"And I know how uncertain everything feels right now. But you do not need to worry about me. I'm the grown-up here, alright? You've got to let me be the one to worry about you." She finished, reaching out to grab his hand.

Harry gnawed on the inside of his cheek. "You told me I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you. And I know you don't think I'm a burden or anything, but I feel like I've got to, I dunno, repay you for everything. And if worrying about you and trying to keep you safe is what I have to do to repay you, I'll do it." He said firmly, confidently, and with a voice like steel.

She couldn't help but laugh, throwing her head back with cackles. "Harry, you're fourteen! I took you in on my own free will. Don't you dare think for even a second that I regret raising you, alright? You don't need to repay me. If anything, I need to repay your mum for everything she's done for me." She told him earnestly. "You don't get to worry about me. End of story. Now, get your shoes on. We're going to get ice cream."

Harry seemed to hesitate for a moment, unsure whether or not he should accept her offer. "Can we bring Regulus and Sirius?" He asked.

"Only if you promise to mind your own business and stop worrying about me." She bargained.

Grumbling, clearly unhappy with this arrangement, he rolled his eyes. "Fine. Also, swear jar, Auntie Sage."

aw! comment predictions of how u think this book is gonna end