Raising Harry

Chapter 6

After dinner everyone had split up. Lilly, Mary, Marlene and Dorcas sat in the dining room gossiping about old school mates. Evan and Barty last I saw where outside smoking. James, Remus and Sirius were all in the living room watching TV. Pandora and I were in the kitchen taking care of the babies.

But I didn't mind, I loved Harry. And I also loved spending time with him.

"So what's up with you lately?" Pandora asked as she fed Luna with a bottle.

"Nothing much." I was lying.

"Really because Sirius has been pretty distant towards you." She raised an eyebrow.

I think it was Pandora's secret talent knowing what was wrong with everyone. "Yeah well it's been like that for a while." I rubbed the back of my neck.

I didn't really know what to say. The last time Sirius and I were this distance was that day. The day he left.

The first time I heard my mum cast CRUCIO on him. I hated that day so much. My brother left and my family was fowl.

I felt lost and hopeless. I didn't have people like Sirius did. Everyone of my friends were just like me. Our families treated us like shit. They needed to fill expectations for their family. To feel even a sense of achievement from their cold parents.

I never want Harry to feel like that. I want him to know that I'm proud of him. Every single day. I will make sure that he knows his loved. I promise him that.

I kissed him on forehead lightly.

That's when there was a slight knock on the kitchen door. "Oh hey Sirius." Pandora said.

I turned and saw my brother leaning up against the door. I turned away not wanting to look at him. It felt like whenever Sirius was around he felt burdened with me.

I mean I was the reason he got in trouble so much as kids. I was our parents prized child and he was the disappointed. I looked glumly down at Harry. He was smiling up at me.

"Can we help you?" Pandora said as she put Luna in a highchair near the counter.

"Yeah. Are there any beers left?" Typical I thought. Rolling my eyes.

"Yeah maybe? Reggie where does James keep them?" Pandora asked.

"In the fridge in the men shed." I got up from my seat. "I can get them." I didn't want to be alone with Sirius.

"No it's okay I got it. Just keep an eye on Luna." Pandora gave me a wink and went out the back door.

Dam it Pandora. I whispered to myself. The room was filled with the sound of nothing but akward silence. "So how's Harry?" Sirius stopped leaning on the door and straightened up.

"He's in good health."

"That's good." Sirius put his hands in his leather jacket and looked around the kitchen. "This place is nice. Much better than Grindelwald. Remember when mum banned us from the kitchen for stealing cookies." Sirius laughed.

"Sirius, is there something you need to say?" I asked him turning around.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

Typical. He doesn't even know what he did wrong.

"You know what it doesn't matter."

"What's wrong Reggie?"

"It doesn't matter." I said again more sternly. "I need to put Harry to bed."

"No wait we need to talk about things." Sirius grabbed my sleeve as I was trying to pass him.