Harry Potter and the New Bloom (A Marauders AU)

Somebody to Love

Sirius came out into the backyard at the Potter cottage while James and Harry were still testing out Harry's brand new Nimbus 2000 broomstick in the backyard. He'd let himself in through the floo network and now came parading out into the backyard, wearing a t-shirt emlazoned with his record shop's logo. He grinned up at the Potters, high up in the air, and he shouted, "Darling godson of mine, come down here and show Uncle Padfoot your new wand! I've been waiting all day!"

Harry grinned, threw the quaffle back to his father, and spiraled down to land on the grass at a jog, hurrying to Sirius's side. "Here it is! Here it is!" he drew the wand out of an old leather scabbard that hung from his trouser's belt loop. Sirius's eyes widened at the sight of the leather pouch and he glanced up at James, who was still flying above them in lazy loops, throwing the quaffle in the air and catching his own throw. Harry thrust the wand into Sirius's hands. "It's holly - eleven inches! Phoenix feather core."

"Incredible," Sirius said, taking it up in his palms and looking it over, "Beautiful. A grand wand has chosen a grand wizard!" He smiled and handed the wand back to Harry. "Tell me all about Diagon Alley. Was your father well behaved or did you have to knock him about a bit for being a pain in the arse? He better have spoilt you real good and rotten or I'll have it out with him."

"We had loads of fun. We got loads and loads of stuff - everything on my whole list from Aunt Minnie and more! We went and saw Uncle Jasper and he had a new sort of ice cream and - oh! Is Uncle Moony with you?"

"He'll be along soon," Sirius promised, "Why?"

"I got him a present."

"On your birthday? Prongslet, me thinks you may not understand how birthdays work, little fella."

Harry laughed. "Well I got him some new paint brushes."

"Ah he could use some of those, he was saying so just last night."

"Yeah?"

"Sure was."

"Brilliant." Harry beamed.

"You're too good for your own good, Prongslet," Sirius said, ruffling up Harry's hair and pulling him into a hug. "Bloody hell, what're we going to do without you 'round here once you're off to Hoggy-warty Hogwarts? Hmm?"

Harry hesitated, then glanced up at James, who was diving to catch the quaffle he'd just missed his own pass on. Harry turned to look at Sirius, his demeanor suddenly quite solemn. "I wanted to talk to you about that, actually."

"Oh?" Sirius raised his eyebrow.

"Yes, I'm worried about --"

Suddenly the backdoor of the house opened up and Remus came loping out into the backyard. His gait was terrible, his knees and hips a wreck, and he was leaning against a cane today - it was only a couple days past the full moon and these days the effects of his lycathropy lasted a couple days after the moon, lingering in his joints most especially. Sirius spotted the cane and he frowned and turned toward Remus.

"My handsom husband has arrived!" Sirius sang out, "Awwwooooo! Look at you!"

Remus rolled his eyes, grimmacing slightly as Sirius wrapped his arms around Remus's torso. Discreetly, Sirius pulled Remus's arm 'round his shoulders so Remus could lean some of his weight on him and Remus smiled, grateful for the help. Sirius ran his fingers up Remus's spine, pausing at the base of his neck where a knot in the muscle could do with a quick massage and he worked his fingers in quickly. Remus groaned and closed his eyes as the tension in his neck broke and relief washed down his spine. "Thank you," he said quietly. Then, louder, to Harry, he said, "Cheers to the Birthday Boy!"