Chrys woke to a weight on her chest. She tried to sit up but found it difficult. Groggily, she lifted her head to see Mortifer and Noxus curled up together on her abdomen, partially obscured by Harry and Draco's heads resting on her chest. She yawned softly, removing her hands from the boys' hair in order to rub the sleep from her eyes.
She cast a quiet levitation charm on the four so she could squirm out of the dogpile and plant a few pillows in her place. Once she was free and sure that none of them had stirred, Chrys quietly padded to the wardrobe. She didn't plan on going out today, so she picked out a pair of black leggings, a black tank top, fluffy wool socks, and a green sweater. Then she disappeared into the ensuite bathroom.
After showering and getting dressed, Chrys checked on the boys and her familiars, who were still fast asleep, before leaving her room altogether. It was still relatively early with the sun only just beginning to rise, so she didn't expect anyone else to be awake. She only was because it was a habit she developed at the Durselys.
So, she was a bit surprised to wander into the library to find Remus quietly reading in front of the fire. Usually, she was so quiet that no one noticed her for hours, but Remus looked up at her the moment she'd entered the room.
"Good morning, Cub. You're up early." Remus greeted in his usual soft, warm tone, a slight look of concern on his face, "Did you have a nightmare?"
Chrys shook her head, "G'morning, and no. I'm okay, Moony. I always wake up this early." She trotted over to one of the many bookshelves, humming a soft tune as she surveyed the titles. Recently she'd been hung up on transfiguration and runes. The former was her best subject, McGonagall had gone as far as to call her a prodigy, just like her Daddy.
After finding a book on the mentioned subject, Chrys wandered over to the little couch Remus occupied and cuddled up beside him before opening her book. The werewolf smiled softly as he wrapped his arm around her. He missed out on six years of her life, and he and Sirius had vowed to make up for the lost time.
As if summoned, a large, fluffy black dog groggily trudged toward them. Both the werewolf and the witch lifted their books high enough for the dog to jump up and drape himself over their laps. Most of his weight was on Remus while his head and front paws were resting on Chrys'. The girl continued to read, absentmindedly petting her dogfather's head, occasionally scratching behind his ears as he snored softly.
They remained like that for a few hours, before the calm atmosphere was broken by two boys bolting into the room, one holding a Hellhound pup, the other a baby Miffin.
"Remy, Siri, Chrysi!" Hadrian and Draco exclaimed, "Cissa/Mum says breakfast is ready!"
Startled, Sirius jolts awake, scrambling off Remus and Chrys, and landing on the floor in his human form on his back. He groaned softly as Remus, stifling a laugh, helped the animagus to his feet. Chrys inspected him worriedly for injuries, to which Sirius smiled and petted her fluffy curls, "I'm just fine Pup."
She relaxed at his assurance before they followed the rambunctious boys out of the library. Hadrian and Draco ran ahead, giggling along the way, while Chrys remained in step with her Papas Padfoot and Moony.
"So, Chrys," Sirius began, smiling softly as the little girl looked up at him, "I noticed you were reading about Animagus, planning on becoming one?"
At the mention of her favourite subject, Chrys beamed, "Uh-huh! Minnie told me about how you and Daddy became Animagus' and I wanted to learn so I could be just like both of you." she paused and began fidgeting with her sleeves, "Though I don't want to be an Auror, I think I want to be like Bill or Charlie. Bill's already got job offers from the Goblins as a curse breaker, and Charlie's been talking to someone from a Dragon preserve in Romania."
"I really like runes, potions, and magical creatures so I can't decide."
The couple exchanged surprised looks that quickly melted to fondness. Sirius chuckled softly, ruffling her fluffy curls, "You're just like your Mama. She had trouble deciding what she wanted to do too."
"Really?" Chrys asked, eyes bright at the mention of her mother.
Remus nodded, "Absolutely, she couldn't decide between being a Charms or Muggle Studies Professor. Charms were her passion, but she wanted to help others understand Muggleborns, and teach the muggle-borns the wizarding culture so there wasn't as much animosity between wizard-raised and muggle raised."
"Which did she pick?" Chrys asked curiously, tilting her head in a Sirius-like manner.
"She compromised so she could do both. She helped Professor Flitwick with the first and second years during periods she didn't have class and taught Muggle Studies to third through seventh years that decided to take her class."
Chrys gained a thoughtful look, "I could try being a curse breaker and travelling vet? Mm.. maybe that would be too much?"
"You have time to think about it, sweetheart." Sirius assured, "Just remember we'll always be here to support you no matter what you decide to do."
The little ginger smiled brightly, "Thanks, Paddy, Moony."
"No problem, Bambi. Now let's hurry up before Cissa gets impatient." Sirius grins cheekily, shifting into his canine form, he ducked under Chrys and lifted her off the ground before bounding towards the dining hall. Remus watched fondly, chuckling at his boyfriend's antics as Chrys' giggles rang through the hall.
Chrys and Harry had been through a lot, that much was sure. But, despite their demons, they were able to open up and relax around people they'd either never met or hadn't seen in years. Remus was beyond proud of them and he'd do everything he could to show it.
"Sirius Orion Black!" Cissa's voice echoed, Remus laughed and picked up the pace. He found a sullen black Grimm laying on the floor giving his glowering cousin watery puppy dog eyes.
Narcissa stood in front of him, her arms crossed over her chest. "What have I told you about running around the manor? Especially in that form!" she exclaimed, "You know the floors are too slick for your paws! You could've slid and gotten yourself or Chrysi hurt."
"But Cissa!" Sirius whined after transforming, now kneeling on the floor, "I put traction charms on my paws before running!"
Cissa pinched the bridge of her nose stressfully, "Ok, fine- Wait! You know traction charms?! Why didn't you use them before when you slid and broke Aunt Walburga's fa- You did it on purpose didn't you?"
Sirius avoided eye contact, Remus chuckled softly and settled into the chair beside his older cub, who was giggling at Sirius' predicament. Beside her was Mattheo, who couldn't seem to take his eyes off Chrys, especially when she was smiling so vibrantly.
He and the other adults would have to talk about that. But that could wait, right now he just wanted to enjoy being with his new pack.
