You Make Me Live (Remus Lupin x Reader One-Shots)

Beautiful Boy

Sirius had always been a bit panicked about raising his godson. Though he would have hexed anyone's lights out who tried to take the boy from him, the idea of fatherhood at his age frightened him as much as it had James, and he had never quite got over the shock. His world had become one of playdates and spittle and naptimes in the blink of an eye, and by comparison I was something of a veteran. So, whenever I could, I did my best to give him some time to himself. At the moment, Reg had Harry well in hand, rather enjoying the novelty of having a little brother who went home before they could tire of each other. The two were on the carpet in the living room, and Reg was showing Harry the pictures in his favorite book about dragons, noting the differences in the tails, the directions and sheens of the scales, and the number of horns, etc. Harry, four years old and awestruck, was running a little finger gingerly over the shimmering illustrations. I smiled from the kitchen as I watched them play, constructing cheese sandwiches to complete a tray of grapes, celery, and Ribena.

Remus was out on the town with his best friend, though he had been somewhat reluctant to leave me with two kids to manage, I insisted that he hadn't had a day out in ages, and I missed Harry and Regulus anyway. So they were in Birmingham, and planned to finish out the evening in London. I told them to call me if they needed me to come and collect them. I didn't want them getting Splinched trying to Disapparate while under the influence. For the moment, it was only 5:30 and they were likely just getting started.

I carried the tray out into the living room, setting it on the side table and telling the boys to put the book away, so they wouldn't spill on it.

"Mum, can we watch 'Puff, the Magic Dragon'? Harry's never seen it, have you Harry?" Reg looked down at Harry, curious and fond.

The younger boy pursed his lips and shook his head, green eyes wide.

I sighed and pretended to think about it. "Alright. Put the book away and I'll get the tape. And wash your hands!" I called after the boys as they ran up the stairs, cheering. I tried to avoid eating in front of the television too often, but it was a sleepover, after all.

Reg's voice came faintly down the stairs, "Come on, Harry. We have to wash our hands before we eat." Craning my head, I saw that he had tucked the precious dragon book under his arm and taken Harry's hand on the steep stairs. Smiling, I crouched beside the sofa and opened the hexagonal wooden cupboard that served as a side table. I had put an Undetectable Extension Charm on it to accommodate our collection of records and VHS tapes. Remus insisted the expense of having such an extensive library was outside of our means, and often refused to contribute on my dime, but that didn't stop me from buying his favorites anyway. However, there were several films that weren't exactly child appropriate, and there was no room to separate them, so Regulus was forbidden from rummaging through the cabinet. An assortment of his favorites resided on the TV stand, however, and he was welcome to ask us for whatever he liked. I let the VCR grab onto the tape and rewound it while the boys came trampling down the stairs. They took their places on the carpet once again, Regulus pulling a throw pillow down from the couch and tucking it behind their backs. I handed them each a melamine teacup of Ribena and set the sandwich tray on the floor between them. They held their cups in both hands while the opening music and bright colors began. I went to make myself a cup of tea, and sat at the kitchen table, reading the Daily Prophet, trying to avoid doing magic while the TV was on.

The elections were coming up, and I was anxious that Millicent Bagnold be voted out, but I wasn't remotely fond of her opponents, either. Once again, the voting experience was a matter of choosing the lesser evil. I just hoped we didn't get another half-breed hating blood supremacist, but rather chose someone who, for instance, thought the Wizengamot should pass accurate judgement, regardless of the defendant's family name. Just as I was engrossed in an article, I suddenly heard choked sobs from the other room. Remembering that I had set the boys in front of a particularly sad cartoon, I set down my tea and rushed in to pick up the pieces. The film was paused, but Puff hadn't even died yet. To my surprise, however, Harry was curled in a ball, fists in his eyes, crying until his face was red. I looked to Regulus questioningly, and he quickly explained.