Eunoia | Sirius Black

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"YOU ARE WHAT?"

"Moving out,"

"SIRIUS —"

"I love you so much, mum. But you and I both know it's time for me to leave," Sirius smiled sadly, kissing Dorea Potter's forehead. 

Dorea nodded, letting her chosen son go and say goodbyes to his chosen father. She then looked towards me and smiled widely. 

I felt my heart warm when she came ahead to hug me so tight I felt my breath whoosh out. 

"Take care of him, Elena." She whispered in my ear before letting go, "He's a fragile thing, no matter what he claims. A long way from being hardened into the man he'll become one day."

Sometimes, the sparkle in the woman's eyes whenever she'd say something about the future would look oddly eerie. As if she isn't just hoping for such a future, neither is she predicting it — but as if she already knows what will happen. 

Often I think Dorea Potter could have seer blood but just as often I let the idea go. She's a Black, no black was ever a seer. Not as far as I know. 

Charlus Potter let's go of his son to meet me and Sirius and Dorea exchange a few words. I have a feeling she's asking him something similar to what she asked me. 

I smile politely at the man who's given sanctuary to Sirius, who's been more of a father to that boy than his own. He smiles back and gently places his hand on my shoulder. 

"You are very brave, Elena Hawke. The bravest little girl I know after my wife. Your grandfather is very lucky to have had you as his daughter."

I feel my eyes glimmer with unshed tears and move across to give him a hug. He chuckles and pats my back in a fatherly manner, and I feel the lack of a father deep in my heart. 

When Sirius and James have had their emotional little talk, he comes back to where I'm standing. 

We're still in the King's cross station as the Potters wave their fourth family member a sweet goodbye and apparate back home. Lily blows me a kiss as she goes with them for a summer stay. 

"Is your grandfather here, yet?" Sirius asks quietly. 

"He should be," Just as I say this, I spot the all too-familiar brown coat he wears amidst the crowd. 

A grin overtakes my face and I point towards his faint form, "He's here, do you want to come with?"

Sirius shakes his head, "If you want me there, I'd be there. But I think I'd rather not, this is a conversation that should happen with no audience."

I nod in understanding and he goes off to bid goodbye to Remus and Peter on the other side. 

Grandfather notices me standing alone in the corner and his smile is weak as he walks toward me. 

He's aging, I have known this for a while that he's getting too old. But wizards live longer than muggles. Or that's what I have been feeding my heart whenever I see more wrinkles on his forehead and droopier cheeks. 

I go and hug him as tight as I can and he huffs out a tired laugh. "My dove," he whispers. "Oh, how I've missed you."

"You couldn't have possibly missed me more than I did you," I say when I pull away. "I thought of you so much, grandfather. I was worried about you."

"About me?" He furrows his brows. "What's wrong with me?"

"Last time I visited you seemed tired, now you seem even more tired."

He smiles warmly, "Dove, this is very natural at my age. I am absolutely fine, I assure you. Where is that boy of yours?"

"Sirius?" I ask.