Chapter Eleven, Reforging Old Bonds

Remus stood outside of Harry's door his hand raised poised to knock but froze halfway through. Debating with himself on whether it was the best idea or not. "Are you going to stand out there all night Remus?" Sirius' voice floated through the door. Hearing the edge to his friends voice Remus slowly opened the door to Harry's room. Sirius was sat with a poorly Harry in his arms wiping a wet cloth across his sweating forehead. "Sirius I know your angry..." Remus started but Sirius cut across him.

"Has everyone gone?" Sirius asked not taking his eyes off of Harry.
"Yes, your grandparents..." Remus tried again.
"Good. I didn't want to leave Harry to see everyone out." Sirius said sharply.
"How is he?" Remus asked.
"Oh, you care now do you?" Sirius asked sarcastically.
"Sirius please. I've always cared for Harry." Remus argued.
"Well, you've got a funny way of showing it Remus!"
"Sirius, that's not fair." Remus snapped.
"Not fair?!" Sirius hissed raising his eyes to look at his friend.

"Do you have any idea the state Harry was in when I found him? Or where I'd found him?" Sirius asked. When there was no answer he scoffed and continued. "Of course you don't because you weren't there Remus. He's seven years old and looks four! Seven years old and he ran away from the Dursley's, he chose living in the streets then living another moment in that house. He needed you and you weren't there. Why weren't you there?" Remus has nothing to say for a few moments opening and closing his mouth before sighing and hesitantly coming further into the room.

"I know nothing I say or do will ever make up for not being there I know that I have no excuses. I believed Dumbledore I thought he was better off without me. I though he was safe." Sirius scoffed at that with a raised eyebrow and a 'are you serious?' Look on his face. "I know, I know. I asked Dumbledore for years where Harry was and if I could see him just once. But I always got the same answer, 'Harry's safe where he is away from the Wizarding World.' And I was a fool for believing him and I'll never forgive myself. But, I'm begging you Sirius, I know I don't sever it but please don't shut me out. You and Harry are all I've got left." Remus pleaded but there was no answer as Sirius continued to care for his poorly godson.

Sighing Remus turned to leave the room hoping that one of the elder Blacks downstairs would allow him to stay or if not allow him back in the morning. Just as his hand gripped the doorknob Sirius' quiet voice echoed in the small bedroom. "He remembered you."
"What?" Remus asked confused, spinning back around to face the beds occupants. "Harry remembered you. A few days ago Cassie took him shipping for his own things and he came back with a grey wolf plushie. He said it's name was Moony. I don't know how he remembers but he does." Sirius looked away from his school-hood friend and back to the tiny boy who held his heart.

"If you let him down again Remus..."
"I won't I swear Sirius." Remus rushed to reassure. "I swear I won't. I won't let either of you down again. I promise. I'm so sorry I wasn't there for either of you, but I'm here now." Remus apologised. Sirius looked at Remus for a long time assessing his words and the emotion displayed clear as day on his face before nodding his head and beckoning Remus over, whose shoulders slumped on relief as he made his way to sit on the edge of Harry's bed joining Sirius in his silent vigil over Harry.

***

"Mother, can we go and see harry?" Draco asked the next morning at Malfoy Manor whee the three Malfoys' were currently eating a healthy breakfast. "He's still poorly my love." Narcissa placated putting down her utensils. "We only left him and Sirius yesterday. He won't be better just yet, no matter what potions your uncle gave him."

"But, I want to make sure he's okay." Draco argues a frown on his face.
"I know you do darling, but I doubt he will be up to visitors just yet and he won't be able to play with you."
"I KNOW THAT!" Draco snapped in irritation.
"Do not speak to your mother that way Draco!" Lucius said sternly, frowning at his son. "If this is how you behave after just once with Potter then I don't think I want my son around him." Lucius snipped as he started his breakfast once more.

"NO! Father please!" Draco cried.
"Lucius I hardly think that's necessary." Narcissa refuted. "Draco is just worried with how suddenly Harry became ill. And t would not be Harry's fault for Draco's behaviour. It would be yours."
"Mine? How, pray tell did you come to this conclusion." Lucius asked sardonically raising an eyebrow at his wife.
"Well, his exactly did you react to seeing Sirius and Harry in London?" Narcissa asked with her own eyebrow raised. When her husband did not answer she continued. "My pony exactly. If you want to set a good example for our son you will go over to Grimmauld Place and apologise." Narcissa said sternly.

"Fine." Lucius agreed. "We will go over later on today, I will apologise and we will inquire on the boy... I mean on Harry's health and leave shortly. It's important he gets his rest, you won't be able to play with him Draco. Do you understand? You will do as your mother and I tell you."
"Yes father." Draco agreed as he happily returned to his breakfast.

"Sirius how're you? How's Harry?" Narcissa asked once they had cleared the fireplace at twelve Grimmauld Place. "I'm well thank you and yourself? Harry's doing a little better, but he had a bad night. But his temperature has come down at least. You've just missed Andy she came to check Harry over and administer more potions." Sirius greeted wearily.
"We're well thank you and I'm glad you're okay and Harry's fever has come down at least." Narcissa said happily as she accepted the cup of tea her aunt held out to her. She gave Lucius a painted look as he sat himself down in the only vacant chair. "Thank you Aunt Cassie. I'll catch up with Andy later, Draco darling why don't you entertain yourself why your father and I speak to Sirius, your aunt and grandparents."

Draco nodded and slipped over to the corner of the room where Harry's books and toys were. Once Lucius was sure his son was distracted with a book he turned to Sirius. "I apologise for my actions Black.. err... Sirius a few weeks ago when we crossed paths in London. It was not uncalled for and I didn't mean to frighten Harry." Sirius started at Lucius assessing him and his words before sighing and nodding his head. "Apology accepted." If it were any other time he wouldn't have accepted but Sirius has matured a lot since rescuing Harry and he would always put Harry and his needs first. And he was going to need all the help he could get where Dumbledore was concerned.

"Where is Lupin?" Lucius asked curiously.
"He's upstairs looking after Harry. We thought it best someone always be with Harry and Sirius needed a break, even if he wouldn't admit it." Cassie answered ignoring the look her nephew sent her.
"Lucius maybe you could help me finalise some things for Sirius' trial? With any luck he'll be free and the legal guardian of Harry by the end of the week." Pollux suggested noticing the tension that still lingered between his grandson and Lucius. "Of course Pollux." Lucius agreed draining his cup, kissing his wife and son goodbye and following Pollux through the Floo network to the Ministry.

Sirius sighed feeling slightly overwhelmed at the length his once restrained family was willing to go for him and Harry. The old wounds that his mother and inflicted so long ago that had festered were slowly begging to heal.

End of chapter 11!