Lady Black (Sirius Black's Daughter)

There's something about the sunshine, baby

It's official, summer is my favourite season of the year. I can escape from Britain for a while, escape from the students and escape from all the drama. In short, our house is like a retreat. The kids have been babbling and have even said a few words! To Charlie and mine great disappointment, neither of them had said Mummy or Daddy as their first word. No, instead, Tony had looked at a picture from Charlie at the reservation surrounded by dragons, and promptly shouted 'draga!'. Drew on the other hand had been petting my head as I was in my animagus form when he softly spoke 'doggie'. Dad was happy about that one.

Nowadays, they kept pointing at stuff they wanted but couldn't reach.

"Mumma, Dada, bal! Bal! Bal!" or  "Hungry! Want cookie!" 

Oh, the joys of being a parent! Waking up every morning at 'too early o'clock', trying to make the kids eat their food instead of letting them throw it around, especially hard when there's broccoli present ... The usual stuff.

Oh well

We'll be visiting Grimmauld place in a couple of days and then next month it'll be the Burrow. Dad and Remus would like to see our little boys again. They even offered to let them stay over for a couple of days so we could catch up on sleep. I'm very tempted to take them up on that offer. 

Sleep has become a luxury. There is just so much that needs to be done; taking care of the little ones, washing up, and of course spending quality time with my husband. Though that last one is a private affair that I won't be mentioning to the family or to the in-laws. That would be called 'oversharing'. 

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A couple of days later, we arrived at Dad's place. 

"They're here! Moony! Harry! Get you arses over here!" Dad screamed as we walked in. The twins immediately began to wiggle their way out of Charlie's arms.

"Pa'foo! Pa'foo!" they yelled, not caring that they could be destroying everyone's earbuds. The man in question grinned as he scooped down to catch the little devils.

"If it aren't my favourite grandchildren! Merlin, I'm too young to be a grandfather... Boys, have you been nice to your Mum and Dad?" he asked with a big smile, eyes screaming 'mischief'. I chuckled as Charlie answered.

"Sure they've been nice. If you don't count trying to burn the house down or morphing your features until your unrecognisable in public nice."

"Oh love, you forgot the food-fights,  the screaming at 2 o'clock in the morning or the insistence that trousers aren't necessary." I added.

"Well, that's being a parent for you, cub," Remus said as he stepped forward to hug me.

"Thanks Remus, that helps a lot," I said while smirking. Remus moved on to greeting Charlie as I moved towards my father.

"Not corrupting my children already, are you?" I asked grinning. He barked out a laugh as he shook his head. 

"How in the name of Merlin could I possibly corrupt these little angels? They are so innocent." he smirked, "for now".

I rolled my eyes as he continued to laugh. 

"Hey Jane, Charlie." Harry said as he walked down the stairs. "Jane, do you have any plans this Friday night?"

"Not really no, why?"

"Dumbledore wrote me something, here read it, I don't mind."

I took the letter from him and began to read.

Dear Harry,

If it is convenient to you, I shall call at number twelve Grimmauld this coming Friday at eleven p.m. to escort you to the Burrow where you were invited to stay, if I'm not mistaken.
If you are agreeable, I should also be glad of your assistance in a matter to which I hope to attend on the way to the Burrow. I shall explain this more fully when I see you this Friday.

I am yours most sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore

How odd. Why would Dumbledore offer to escort Harry when he could go by floo or side-along with Dad? Plus, why does he care that Harry was invited to stay over at the Burrow for a couple of days? It's still Harry's choice whether he wants to go or not, isn't it?
Obviously, Dumbles just needs Harry for something.

"You want me to come along?"

"Yes, I'd like that. If that's okay?"

"No sure, it's fine. I just wonder what this is about."

"Don't think so much, love. I'm sure that whatever it is, it'll be fine." Charlie said while hugging me from behind.

"I guess you're right."

"Whenever am I not?" I elbowed him jokingly. "Hey! What was that for?"

"Mmm, my elbow spasmed. My apologies."

"You little sfinx!"

Harry coughed. "I'm right here. Sirius is right over there, Remus too. Might want to turn down the flirting."

I shook my head. "Harry, we're married. We're allowed to flirt with one another. It's a couple thing. You'll understand when you get a lover, Ginny perhaps?"

To my amusement, Harry blushed bright red. Someone has a crush.

 We did tone it down afterwards, as we all sat together on the couches. Dad was retailing stories from when he was still at school with the rest of the infamous Marauders. Remus sometimes pitched in to either scold Dad for telling us that particular story or to give more details or a more realistic view on things. Drew and Tony hung to every word, as did Harry. Charlie and I were snuggled close together watching them.

This could be the beginning of a nice week, a nice week indeed.