McKinnon

| CHAPTER THIRTY ONE |

"Sirius, you realize you can come with us, right?" Remus asked as Sirius was stirring a pot filled with beef stew.

He had been up early with Remus that morning, preparing a nice warm meal for Lyall. Especially after Remus had explained that Lyall was currently in hospice at St. Mungos. It had explained why Remus was out of the cottage very often, leaving him and Sarai to themselves. The night Remus had talked about his father's condition was heartbreaking. Sirius hadn't realized how close him and his father had gotten over the years of raising Sarai. And unfortunately for Lyall, his age was catching up to him.

Sirius shook his head, "Nonsense. It's best if the two of you enjoy the time with him." He said waving off Remus. "I just want to make sure he's getting a good meal in him, because the stuff they serve at St. Mungos is wretched."

Remus smiled softly as he made his way over from the kitchen table to stand by Sirius. He peered over the pot as the scent of the stew wafted into his nose.

"Some of it's for us right?" Remus asked, "It smells delicious."

Sirius smirked as he turned to face his friend. "I'm sure I could save you a bite. Honestly Moony," Sirius said ruffling Remus' hair playfully. "You would have let the two of you starve if I hadn't stepped in."

Remus batted his hand away. "I just brushed it!" He grumbled trying to straighten out his hair, "He's been asking about you, you know." Remus said lowering his voice.

Sirius raised an eyebrow while adding a pinch of salt into the pot. "Is that so?"

Remus nodded, "He mentioned wanting to see the man who saved his family, one more time. The old sap."

Sirius snorted, "As if you aren't just as sentimental." He said poking Remus in the side, "And I'll only come if you want me to."

Remus nodded. "Yeah, I think it might be best." Remus said with a sigh, "I still haven't told Sar about him being in St. Mungos. I doubt that will go over well."

Sirius shook his head at Remus, "It's not your fault, you know. Your father told you to keep quiet about it."

Remus shook his head pinching the bridge of his nose,

"Then why does it feel like she's going to hate me?"

—

"Siri," a voice said gently, shaking Sarai's shoulder. "Siri it's time to get up, love."

Sarai groaned and rolled over to face the wall, using her comforter to cover her head.

"Five minutes." She mumbled sleepily burrowing her face into her pillow.

Sirius chuckled softly, before continuing to shake her shoulder. "Not today, love. We're going to see your grandfather, remember?"

At the mention of 'Grandfather', Sarai's eyes snapped open. She sat up quickly, before instantly regretting the feeling. The room slowly spun and she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Right, Grandpa." She mumbled.

Sirius sniffed the air and grimaced. "Brush your teeth before Moony comes in here. I can smell the firewhiskey on your breath."

Sarai opened her eyes again and clamped her hands on her mouth. Her eyes were wide as she stared at Sirius desperately.

"Please don't tell Dad." She whispered desperately.

Sirius rolled his eyes and waved her off, "Yeah alright, we will keep it our little secret. Just go get dressed." He said standing up from the edge of the bed and shooing her to the bathroom. "I have Breakfast ready downstairs."