"Come on, Harry! Get your butt down here!" Sirius yelled up the stairs. A muffled cry of 'nearly ready' echoed down and minutes later it was followed by Harry looking better than he had all summer.
They ended up apparating to Kings Cross as it would have taken to long via normally transport. Sirius seemed more hyperactive than average, but Harry just assumed it was because it was his first journey out since Peter Pettigrew had been caught and Sirius' innocence had been proven. Harry raced ahead in case it really was too late, but stopped abruptly when he entered the station and caught sight of the clock. It was barely nine.
He turned to Sirius and Remus who were both looking like butter couldn't melt in their mouths, what would have been some choice words perched upon his lips, when Sirius began talking, very quickly.
"Now I know what your thinking, don't think that. We didn't mean you'd be late for the train, you see. We have someone we think you'll want to meet." He was practically bouncing up and down with clear excitement. He reminded Harry of a small puppy, which was more ironic than life, and Harry snorted with laughter despite himself.
"Well, what are we on time for then?" Harry asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
"This way," Remus said mysteriously, beckoning for Harry to follow him and trying to control his own excitement.
They traipsed to the other entrance of King's Cross and stopped for a few minutes while Remus shrunk Harry's luggage to fit into his pocket, leaving Hedwig for Sirius to carry.
They finally stopped beneath the central clock and Sirius whispered something to Remus, who nodded enthusiastically and rushed off. Harry could tell by the stilted feel to the conversation that Sirius was trying to occupy him. He was failing miserably, but Harry decided to humour him all the same.
"Sirius, look, what's going on?" Harry asked, impatience ringing through in his tone.
"Hmm?" Sirius tried to sound innocent. " Why on earth would you think anything's going on?" Harry made a growling noise in throat and Sirius held his hands up in defence. "Okay, we have something you will want to see. But it isn't ready, not yet. Now, I just want you to remember if you need to talk to me, McGonagall will let you firecall me through her office, I asked specially. And make sure you keep us updated on everything, okay?"
Harry smiled and nodded. Sirius grinned and pulled his Godson into a tight hug. "We're gunna miss having you round the house kiddo, it'll be so quiet. Be careful with the dreamless sleep Snape made for you, only take it when the nightmares get too bad."
Harry nodded again. It was true that since he had explained to them about Nathan a flood gate had opened and horrors he had been repressing for so long, things he remembered nothing of, were plaguing his dreams constantly. Every
night, whenever he woke up, Sirius had instructed him to come and wake them so they could all talk it through some. It had helped, but now Sirius and Remus weren't going to be there to talk, and he just knew he wasn't going to be able to confide in Ron and Hermione quite like he had with them. It would just be too difficult to explain the whole situation to Ron and Hermione. They knew nothing as it was thanks to Remus and Sirius' cover up and Harry wanted it to stay like that.
"I just...I never refused to think about him before. And know, I can't stop. I miss him so much." Harry whispered into Sirius shoulder, embarrassed by his own honesty.
"I know." Sirius said pulling back and looking Harry square in the eye. "Remus is taking longer than I thought, wanna get a coffee or something?"
They wandered across to the Costa and ordered some drinks, simply because they had ridiculous names. Once the waitress had left Harry sighed and slumped back in his chair. "Too early." He muttered, trying to smile, but Sirius knew his thoughts were in a much darker place.
"If you could have him back for just one day what would you say?" Sirius asked attempting casual. Harry's eyes widened in surprise.
"You what? Sirius, no spell can bring the dead back to life."
"I know, it was just a, waddiyamacallit, rhetorical question."
"Oh. I would...I would tell him how sorry I was. I would tell him, that he was the first person I could remember to show me true kindest. I would let him know how much he meant to me. I would let him know that he is my brother, I would let him know how much I loved him." Harry said hoarsely, rubbing his eyes beneath his glasses.
"I love you too, brother." A quiet voice Harry remembered from a time far away said.
Almost in a dream like state he rose from his seat and turned. Standing no more than five feet away was Remus Lupin, a smile that could have challenged the moon in brightness on his face. And next to him was a boy. A tall boy with fluffy hair, like an owl's feathers. He had serious brown eyes. Unmistakeable, unforgettable eyes.
"Nathan," Harry whispered, not daring to believe his eyes. The boy nodded gently and without thinking about it Harry's legs were moving. He was running. For a brief second he wondered how ridiculous and cheesy it must have looked to anyone watching, but just as quickly he knew he didn't care. He stopped just short of Nathan's face and reached out a hand. Ever so gently he touched Nathan's cheek, just to check he was real – that this was real. Nathan smiled and Harry felt his skin moving beneath his fingers. He didn't need anymore proof. He threw his arms around the taller boy's neck. He feels home.
He finally let go and Nathan looked down at him, grinning regardless of the tears in his eyes.
"Six years later and you're still short?" Nathan asked and Harry laughed and it feels good to laugh, he hasn't had a totally forceless laugh in a long time.
"But how?" Harry asked the obvious as they cross over to the table, where an immensely annoyed waitress stood with their drinks.
"I was never in the car," Nathan explained immediately. "They were going to talk my Uncle into taking me off their hands instead when it happened. They left me locked up at home. After a few days I realised they weren't coming back and I left too. A woman found me in Byrd Park and she took me to a children's home. I tried to find you, I really tried, but I wasn't able to go anywhere alone until I was eleven and when I finally got to the Dursley's your Aunt said you were gone. I assumed she meant you were..." He didn't finish his sentence, instead busying himself with the little packets of sugar.
"How did you...?" Harry asked Remus and Sirius, who were both beaming with delight at the huge smile on Harry's face.
"Haven't you learnt yet, Harry? I'm Sirius Black – I can do anything!" Sirius said in a serious voice and Remus snorted into his drink.
Harry and Nathan talked for what felt like just seconds, although Harry was very careful to omit any details about magic, before Sirius sighed loudly and Remus leant across to tap Harry's arm.
"Harry, it's quarter to eleven."
"What? No, we just- I-Where's Nathan going to go?" Harry was horror struck.
"Well you see, the thing about that is..." Remus trailed off, shaking his head regretfully.
"Will I be able to see him soon?" Harry asked, his eyes sparkling.
"I should hope so, you see...He's going with you." Sirius said finally looking up from his careful inspection of his shoelaces to watch Harry and Nathan's jaws drop open.
The End.
I smell a sequel in the making...
Seriously though guys, I just want to thank you all sooooooo much for following the story this far and if there is enough interest there is a sequel plot bunny (of doom!) So please review and tell me if your up for that! Thank you soooooooooooooooooo much!!!!