A Sliver of Change | S. Black

Part 3: Chapter 6

Part 3:

Chapter 6 –

September 1st, 1996

"If you need anything Harry," Lia fretted as she did exactly what her mum had done to James's years ago and used the palm of her hand to straighten up his unruly hair, "then you either owl or you talk to Dumbledore who will talk to me or," she leaned forward to whisper in his ear, casting a silencing charm around them just in case, "Sirius."

Her heart tore slightly as Harry looked up at her, his face full of excitement for his sixth year at Hogwarts and reminding her so much of her brother. Harry had gotten quidditch captain again, something that James would be so proud of, and she had made the boy come over for dinner with her and Sirius one night to celebrate before summer ended.

"Lia," Harry muttered softly, a small smile on his face, "I know you're technically my aunt, but you were my friend first. So please, stop acting like my mum right now."

Lia rolled her eyes and pinned him with a look, "technically, once Sirius," she whispered once again, "is free then we will be your guardians."

She finished with a wink and was glad that Harry had the sense of humour her brother did, his laugh coming out in chuckles as his taller form wrapped her in another hug.

"I'll miss you too," he mumbled in her ear, "truly, it has been nice getting to know more about you and my family this summer."

Her throat choked up at the sentimental words and she tried desperately to hold back the tears that wanted to flow out. She was thankful that Harry had accepted her, flaws and all, and she wanted to continue to be someone he could turn to in his life. The boy had lost as much as she had over the years, but they were lucky enough to find each other again and will hopefully continue to be lucky enough to officially be a family when Sirius' charges were dropped.

"Be safe Harry," she whispered into his ear, "I- well I love you."

It was the first time she had ever said the words to him, not wanting to overwhelm him after all the information he had learned. But she couldn't help but to say it at least this once, wanting him to know that despite their years apart she still loved him as much as she did when he was only a little one.

She smiled to herself secretly, remembering when she showed Harry the memory of Sirius proposing to her and the younger version of Harry helping out his godfather anyway that he could. The memories had helped to solidify their relationship more and urged the two of them to form a bond that they had forgotten about.

"I love you too, Lia," he told her, pulling back from their embrace. Lia smiled gently at him, her heart soaring at his admission before urging him towards the train that held their friends she had already said goodbye too.

Ginny and Hermione were upset that she wasn't coming back, but they understood fully seeing as she had technically graduated already, and she had many things to catch up on still in this time. She knew that they would all take care of each other and keep an eye out, which was all she could ask for.

"I'll see you at Christmas!" She yelled out to him as he entered the train.

Harry looked back to smile at her before directing his gaze to a corner in the station, a large black dog sitting on their hind legs with a dopy smile on their face. Lia rolled her eyes at the fact that Sirius had disobeyed her wishes and showed up to send Harry off, even if he couldn't properly do it in human form.

She waited until Harry was fully on the train before walking out of the station, hearing the click of Sirius behind her as they left the bustling parents behind. She scrunched her face at the first years that were crying to their parents about not wanting to go and had to hold herself back from telling them that the next seven years of their lives would be the best. They would make friends that would turn into family and find people that they will take with them into the future.