Memories of the Heart || Harry Potter x Reader

Y4 ~ Dragons

The fire crackled softly in the Gryffindor common room, the only sound breaking the stillness of the night. Harry sat upright in an armchair, his expression tense, as Y/N curled up on the couch nearby, clutching a threadbare blanket for warmth. Both of them flinched as a sudden, faint flicker of green danced in the hearth.

"Sirius!" Harry exclaimed, bolting out of his chair, his voice a mixture of hope and urgency. He dropped to his knees, peering into the flames. "Si—I mean Padfoot, are you there?"

Y/N scrambled to her feet, her heart hammering in her chest. She crouched beside Harry, her hands trembling as they pressed into the coarse carpet. The fire's light played across her face, illuminating the hope and fear that mingled in her wide eyes. She barely dared to breathe as the flickering flames shifted, twisting into a familiar shape.

With a soft pop, Sirius Black's face materialized in the fire. His features were thinner than she remembered, but there was a newfound brightness in his eyes. His hair was trimmed short, and the lines of exhaustion on his face seemed softened by his smile.

"Harry," Sirius greeted warmly, his smile a balm to the tension in the room.

"Hey!" Harry said, his voice breaking with relief.

But Y/N couldn't hold back. "Hi Dad!" she gasped, her voice trembling as tears instantly blurred her vision. She leaned forward, her hand instinctively reaching toward the flames, even though she knew she couldn't touch him. "Dad, it's really you!"

Sirius's expression softened as his gaze shifted to her. "My precious girl," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Princess, l've missed you so much."

Y/N choked on a sob, her words coming in a rush. "I've missed you too, Dad. Every day. I was so scared I wouldn't get to see you again."

"I'm here now," Sirius said, his voice shaking slightly as he tried to steady himself. "I'm so sorry, love. I wanted to write, I wanted to see you sooner, but it wasn't safe. I couldn't risk it—not for you or Harry."

Y/N wiped at her cheeks, but the tears kept coming. "I understand. I really do. I just... I've wanted to hear your voice so badly." Her words faltered, her throat tightening. "I—"

"You don't have to explain," Sirius interrupted gently, his own eyes glistening. "You've been so brave. I'm so proud of you—of both of you." He glanced briefly at Harry, then back at Y/N, his gaze softening. "I think of you every single day."

Y/N's tears spilled over as she managed a trembling smile. "I think of you too. All the time."

"The moment it's safe, I promise. The first thing I'll do is wrap you and Harry in the biggest hug you've ever had. You won't be able to get rid of me." Sirius said, his eyes flitting between them.

"Promise?" Y/N asked, her voice small.

"On my life," Sirius replied solemnly. "I'll look forward to it every day."

Harry, watching the exchange, felt a pang of longing. He wanted to give them this moment, but his own emotions pushed him to speak. "Sirius," he began, his voice low. "I—thank you. For being here. For her."

Sirius's attention shifted to Harry, his expression kind but serious. "And I'm here for you too, Harry. I'll always be here for both of you. No matter what happens." He hesitated, his tone growing heavier. "Now how are you, my boy?"

Harry hesitated, his eyes darting to Y/N as if searching for strength. "I'm... managing," he said, though the tightness in his voice betrayed him. "It's hard. Everything's hard."

Sirius frowned, the lines on his face deepening. "Tell me, Harry. Did you or did you not put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"No!" Harry's answer came immediately, his voice sharp and defensive.