#Sirius & Harry bonding

[impishtubist]

happy birthday, reese <3

For @r33sespieces :) 

---

“Shh, no, you have to be quiet.” 

Sirius pauses outside Harry’s room, cocking his head. Harry’s been holed up in there since shortly after dinner, but Sirius hadn’t thought too much of it. It’s been pissing down all afternoon, and Sirius figured both of them could use a lazy day. For his part, he took a luxurious nap earlier, and the newest book in a romance series he’s been following arrived by owl post this morning. He’s looking forward to curling up with it in front of the fire. If he’s lucky, maybe Harry will come downstairs with his chess set later and ask to play a game together.

There’s a whine from behind the closed door, and then a soft yip. Sirius blinks.

“Hazza,” he says, rapping his knuckles softly on the door, and he hears Harry curse. “Everything alright?”

“Fine!” Harry says quickly. “I’m just--”

He’s interrupted by a loud bark, and Sirius’s eyebrows fly up to his hairline.

“Can I come in?” he asks, and he hears Harry sigh.

“Yeah.” 

Harry’s standing over by the bed, dripping wet and clutching a soaked brown-and-white puppy against his chest. 

“Well, hello,” Sirius says as he steps into the room. “Who’s this?”

“Dunno,” Harry says, cuddling the puppy close and shrinking away when Sirius takes a step forward. Sirius freezes. “Found him out in the garden.” 

“Poor thing,” Sirius says. It’s been miserable outside for two days now. “Can I take a look at him?”

“Why?” Harry asks, instantly suspicious. 

“I just want to make sure he’s okay, that he doesn’t have any injuries or anything like that.” Sirius starts to pull out his wand, but Harry backs away, so he quickly pockets it. “Can we sit down?”

They sit on the circular rug in the middle of Harry’s bedroom, and Harry gently places the puppy in front of him. The puppy shivers, and then takes a few uncertain steps. He’s wobbly, but that seems to be due to how young he is, not any injuries. Sirius puts out his hand, and the puppy sniffs him. His tail wags.

“Aren’t you mad?” Harry asks softly, not meeting Sirius’s eyes.

“I’m not thrilled you snuck a puppy in here without talking to me first,” Sirius says. “But no, Harry, I’m not mad. If you’d told me you’d found him in the garden, I would’ve had you bring him inside, too. We can keep him warm and dry for a night, and then tomorrow we’ll take him to a shelter. Speaking of, can I dry him off? He’s shivering. You as well, kiddo.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Harry nods, and Sirius pulls out his wand. He performs a quick drying spell, and then a cleaning charm, and then casts a heating spell over both Harry and the puppy.

“I bet he’s hungry,” Sirius says. “Why don’t you bring him down to the kitchen, and we can feed him?”

Harry hesitates again, then gathers the puppy in his arms and goes down to the kitchen, Sirius following them. He doesn’t know what exactly is causing Harry’s reluctance, but he has a suspicion. 

He cuts up some leftover chicken for Harry to feed the puppy, and then goes into Remus’s office to gather up the rope toys Moony likes to use, as well as the crate he sometimes curls up in to nap off the Wolfsbane during full moons. Harry eyes the crate warily when Sirius comes back into the kitchen.

“So he’ll have somewhere warm and safe to sleep tonight,” Sirius says. “I doubt he’s house-trained, and sorry mate, but I don’t fancy him pissing all over the house all night.” 

Harry reluctantly nods. “Yeah, okay.” 

The puppy eats and drinks his fill, and then Harry entices him to play with one of the rope toys. Sirius can’t help the smile that touches his lips as he watches them, the puppy having the time of his life and Harry giggling--giggling!--while they play.

The puppy eventually tires himself out and falls asleep curled up in Harry’s lap. 

“There was a dog in the Dursleys’ garden once.” Harry’s not looking at him. He strokes one of the puppy’s ears with a gentle finger. “She was a stray. I brought her scraps from the table whenever Aunt Petunia sent me outside to do chores.” 

Scraps that Harry had probably needed for himself, but he’d split them with a stray instead. His heart ached. “That was really kind of you, Hazza.”

“She was my first friend,” Harry says softly. “My only friend. She lived in the garden for most of the summer, until Dudley found out about her.” 

“Oh, Harry.”

“He and his friends chased her off. Hit her with sticks and threw rocks at her. I never saw her again.” 

“She probably found a home,” Sirius says. “She sounds friendly. I’m sure someone took her in.”

“Yeah,” Harry says. “I hope so.” 

Sirius hears the Floo roar, and then Remus calls out a hello.

“In here, Remus,” he says.

Remus comes into the kitchen, and his eyes widen. “Well, you two were certainly busy today.” 

“Harry found him in the garden,” Sirius says. “The weather’s shite. I don’t see a problem with letting him stay tonight, and then we’ll take him to a shelter tomorrow.”

“Sure, of course we will,” Remus says, sounding amused. 

The puppy wakes himself up with a yawn, and then eyes Remus curiously. He gets out of Harry’s lap and trots over to the other man, sniffing him curiously. Remus holds very still--animals tend to have very strong reactions to him. Either they adore him, or they’re terrified of him. 

The puppy is apparently in the former category, because his tail starts to wag and he lets out a series of happy yips. Remus crouches down to pet him. 

“You’re a handsome fellow, aren’t you,” he says. “Yes, you are. And much better behaved than Padfoot.”

“You hear how he talks to me, Harry?” 

Harry laughs, and Sirius wishes he could bottle the sound. It doesn’t happen enough.

Harry and the puppy are inseparable for the rest of the evening. Remus keeps throwing Sirius significant looks that he tries to ignore. They’re not getting a pet. Hedwig is enough. In the morning, they’ll take the puppy to the nearest shelter, and Sirius will personally make sure he goes to a good home. 

When it comes time for bed, Harry lines the crate with plenty of blankets and sets the puppy inside. He closes the door and locks it, and the puppy immediately begins to whimper.

Harry chews on his bottom lip. “You’re sure he’s going to be alright in there?” 

The puppy whines, and Harry looks distraught. Remus squeezes his shoulder.

“He’ll be fine. He’s got toys and water and soft blankets. He’ll probably make a mess, but that’s alright. That’s what magic is for. He’ll settle down as soon as we all leave him be.” 

***

The puppy cries for an hour after they all retire upstairs. 

Sirius stares at the ceiling. He’s not going to give in and check on the puppy. He’s not. 

“Don’t even think it, Sirius,” Remus murmurs from his side of the bed.

“I’m not,” Sirius says. “It’s just--do you think he’s cold?”

“We gave him blankets and cast a heating charm.” 

“Maybe he’s hurt.”

“You checked him over before bed. He’s perfectly fine.” Remus rolls over and rests his head on Sirius’s chest. “He’ll settle down eventually.”

Remus is right--the puppy does eventually quiet down. Remus’s breathing evens out soon after that, and Sirius quickly follows him into sleep.

Sirius wakes up before dawn, his new normal, and pads downstairs to make some tea. Harry will sleep for at least another couple of hours, and they won’t see Remus until almost noon. 

But when he comes into the kitchen, the first thing he notices is his godson curled up on the floor. The crate is open, and the puppy is nestled in Harry’s arms, also fast asleep. 

“Sirius?” Remus comes up behind him, knuckling his eyes. 

“What are you doing up?” Sirius whispers.

“Needed a piss, and the bed’s cold without you. What--” Remus finally catches sight of Harry and the puppy, and immediately softens. “Oh.” 

“That’s why the puppy stopped whining last night, I bet.” 

“Probably,” Remus says. He wraps his arms around Sirius’s waist and props his chin on Sirius’s shoulder, though he has to stretch to reach it. “You can’t make him go to a shelter.”

“No,” Sirius sighs. “I won’t. Looks like we’ve got a pet, Moons.” 

“Looks like it. Where are you going?”

“I’ve got to write to the Board of Governors,” Sirius says. “I have six weeks to persuade them to add dogs to the list of approved pets for Hogwarts students.”

[chacharealsmoothwithme]

sibiling things that happened between sirius and regulus as children

-sirius and reg used to play ninjas. when sirius was 13 and regulus was twelve, he bought a katana, it wasn't sharp but it was still metal. One day they were play-swordfighiting and regulus blocked a hit (from the blunt katana). he started bleeding so much while sirius was just begging him not to tell mum because they'd be in so mich trouble. Regulus never said anything but still has a visible white scar on his palm

-regulus used to take sirius in rooms then turn the light off,run away and lock him inside

-sirius once hid in Regulus' closet for hours after dinner only to jump out ON him hissing and pretending to be a monster

-regulus used to pretend to go crazy and start chasing sirius telling him quite violent and scary things, chasing him with a kitchen knife. it happened more often than you'd think. (there was one time when after they finished running and sirius had locked himself away from reg and made him stop playing because it was scary. when sirius got out and they went on the couch they realised that their parents and some.family friends were in the other room and had heard all the screaming)

-regulus once but sirius so hard and for so long he accidentally gave him a hickey

[quarter-lif3crisis]

Jameses and their other half

Prongsfoot fanart: @marymacdonaldspatronus

James + Matthew fanart: @nairafeather

[ourshadowstars]

Need a modern day au where Lily and Regulus fake date. It starts out after Lily panics and tells her friends that she's dating Regulus because it's the first name that pops in her head, but also she figures no one would be able to confirm it because none of her friends talk to him. One thing leads to another, and eventually Regulus hears about it, but instead of denying it, he goes along because he wants an opportunity to talk to Sirius. During their "dates" they bond over missing their siblings and become really good friends (lots of sibling ansgst because I'm a sucker for that shit). Padora is still Regulus best friend, but Lily is the first person Regulus goes to when he realizes he has a crush on James. Lily does the same for her feelings for Mary.

Lily introduces him to muggle literature and music, which Regulus becomes obsessed with to the point that when his studying, you will randomly hear him mumble the lyrics to his favorite song. (Even though indie is his favorite genre, his favorite album is Folklore because I said so. His favorite book is Little Women because his so Amy coded). On his birthday, Lily gifts him a beautiful telescope because even though there are magical ways to observe the stars, Regulus is obsessed with muggle objects. In return, Regulus buys her a fancy potions kit because that's her favorite subject and a gold necklace with a little lily charm that has an emerald stone.

p.s. fuck JK Rowling.

[rahhhhhhhbrobro]

Transmasc!Regulus helping Genderfluid!Sirius do their makeup and hair for a party

Sirius showing Regulus how to tie his tie

Regulus helping Sirius pick an outfit from his old dresses and skirts

Sirius giving Regulus all of their old slacks and button ups that don't fit him anymore

Regulus teaching Sirius how to walk in heels

Sirius painting Regulus's nails to match hers

Regulus trimming Sirius's hair like he use to do for himself

[oxydiane]

sirius buys harry a crop-top that says “trophy husband” for christmas. harry also buys the exact same one for him

[arson-onasundaymorning]

Regulus and Sirius: *trauma bonding on top of the astronomy tower smoking cigarettes*

*comfortable silence*

Sirius: we’re so French

Regulus: fuck off

[dramioneasks]

I wanted to recommend ‘Eagle Eyes’ to the community.

It’s a Hogwarts rewrite with fascinating magic with great characters, friendships and Ravenclaw dramione. Book 5 has just been completed (a satisfactory pause imo) and the writer intends to publish book 6 soon.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/50697961/chapters/128070010

I wasn’t sure if this was the right way to suggest a fic. Do let me know if there is another system :)

Thanks!

Summary:

How one seed of doubt can change the course of history. Where Lucius Malfoy was imprisoned for his crimes in the first wizarding war and how this one seemingly unimportant change, alters Draco Malfoy's life, as well as the entire wizarding world. This is a rewrite of books 1-7 (and perhaps beyond). 5/7 - Order of the Phoenix complete! Half Blood Prince re-write due in the summer :)

PS: yes this way is perfect!

[sliebman10]

Bond

They stared at each other awkwardly. In the aftermath of Sirius's pardon and him and Remus finally getting custody of Harry, Sirius hadn't really thought out what living with a teenager would be like.

Sure, he looked just like James, but Harry was his own person and Sirius really wanted to get to know who that was. But he also knew he couldn't force a bond.

Remus came in with three mugs of tea and they sat down at the table. They sipped the hot liquid in silence for a moment.

"We're so happy you're here, Harry," Remus said. Harry gave him a shy smile.

@wolfstarmicrofic

[protea-drarry-shit]

Sirius: so you’re the bugger dating my Harry?

Remus: Sirius, be nice.

Draco: yes, good to meet you too, sirs.

~^*^~

Harry: where have Draco and Sirius gone?

Remus: they made fun of pureblood customs for a bit and then got drunk.

Remus: they’re in the other room wallowing in self pity while ‘mama’ by my chemical romance plays.

[impishtubist]

sunday snippet

“Padfoot!” Teddy comes running over to him, dragging a young blonde girl by the hand. “This is Victoire. She’s my best friend. Victoire, this is my Padfoot.” 

This must be Bill and Fleur’s daughter, then. Sirius takes her hand and bends over it, swallowing the lump in his throat at being called Teddy’s Padfoot. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Weasley.” 

Victoire blushes violently as he kisses the back of her hand. The two children then scamper away, and someone claps Sirius on the back. 

“She’s never going to shut up about you, now,” Bill says.

“Teddy doesn’t, either,” Harry says, trying to sound put-upon and failing. “Sirius is everyone’s favorite.”

[padfootastic]

idc what anyone says, u can pry sirius calling harry prongslet and pup out of my cold, dead hands.

[rewritingcanon]

which sibling dynamic be reminding you of daylight by david kushner? i honestly think it could fit ANYTHING

[childotkw]

Do you have any regulus snippets??

Any tom x regulus , or sirius being an overprotective older brother or any Harry and regulus moments ??

Please I've been craving anything with regulus my little star🥺✨️

Okay so this is less 'overprotective' and more mutually protective, but the brotherly bonding is STRONG in this snippet and I'm actually really happy with how the scene played out!

--- -- --- -- ---

It was an obvious trap, but Regulus still found himself falling for it.

Honestly, he blamed the lack of sleep and the burgeoning headache that stripped his usual levels of perception down to the bare minimum he needed to avoid walking into walls.

He followed Sirius down the ministry hallway and into a room, his thoughts sluggishly parsing through all the potential reasons his brother might need to speak to him. His fingers briefly rubbed against his temple, trying to ease the throbbing under his skull, and then the door shut softly behind him.

Regulus blinked, looking over his shoulder to see James Potter leaning beside the door, one hand braced against it. The man was still wearing his auror trainee uniform, his hair windswept in a way that suggested he had just come from a training session.

Looking at him was too much like looking at Harry - how the boy was after a quidditch match, flushed with joy at another victory - that Regulus had to rip his gaze away and squeeze his eyes shut for a moment.

He missed the glance Sirius and James shared.

Slowly, Regulus turned back to his brother. "Sirius," he started, a warning creeping into his tone. "What is this?"

Sirius' expression was firm. "Sit down, Reggie," he ordered, gesturing to the plush chair in front of him.

They were in an office, he realised with a quick scan of his eyes. Judging by the size and general disorganisation, it likely belonged to some minor official who was either unaware that their office was currently being repurposed, or who owed his brother a favour.

This was too well planned, and already Regulus could feel his headache growing sharper as adrenaline began to pulse through him.

"Why?" he demanded, shifting his weight in preparation.

Sirius let out an explosive sigh, rolling his eyes heavenwards in a way Regulus found mildly offensive. "Because you look like you're two seconds away from falling flat on your face," he griped. "Now, stop looking like we're about to jump you - and sit."

Regulus didn't. He glared at his brother and kept his arms loose at his sides.

"Regulus, we just want to talk. That's all," Potter said from behind him, and Regulus scoffed, skewering the older man with a derisive look.

"We might all be out of Hogwarts but don't think I'm stupid, Potter. Maybe you never targeted me specifically, but I've heard plenty of stories about your group’s exploits that always started off remarkably similar to this," he said, sweeping his hand around the room - at how he was trapped, one of them on either side and with the exit blocked.

Sirius' eyes widened as Potter grimaced, both of them chagrined as they realised their error.

"That...wasn't our intention," Potter said, contrition plain in his voice. The man rubbed at his face, fingers slipping under his glasses to knead at his eyes. His shoulders slumped with a type of exhaustion Regulus was all too familiar with. It was the kind that never really left, the kind that clung to you, nipping at your heels no matter how many nights you slept through peacefully.

It was that, more than the curiosity, more than the pleading way Sirius was looking at him, that had Regulus backing down.

He stepped closer, dropping a hand on the back of the chair and leaning some of his weight there as a form of compromise. "What do you need?" he asked quietly.

Sirius frowned. "We don't need anything, Reggie. We're - I'm worried about you."

It was Regulus' turn to frown, blinking once in bewilderment. "You're...worried?" he echoed, not meaning to sound quite as disbelieving as he did. It was hard though - because even though his relationship with Sirius was better this time around, there was still a yawning gap between them.

One that Regulus couldn't bridge but that rang with all the lies he still kept.

Sirius boggled at him. "Of - of course I am!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up, and there was a trace of hurt in his eyes that Regulus latched onto with interest. "You've been acting weird for a while! Even before you graduated. You've been...distant and quiet -"

"I've always been distant and quiet," Regulus interjected, part in exasperation and part to try and derail this conversation because Sirius had evidently been paying more attention to him than Regulus had suspected.

And that very much wasn't good. Sirius was stubborn at his best and downright tenacious at his worst. If he got it into his head that Regulus was up to something or, gods forbid, in danger, then he'd never let it go.

"Not like this, Reggie," Sirius told him. "I know we haven't been as close as we should have been, and I accept my part in causing that rift. I let our parents pull us around and pit us against each other, and I know..." he stopped, looking down at his feet.

Regulus darted a glance at Potter, but the other man's face was creased with sympathy and aimed entirely at Sirius.

He looked back to his brother, watching with confusion as Sirius stepped up to him and tentatively laid a hand on his shoulder. Regulus stared down at it, stiffening instinctively.

It had been months since he had let someone close enough to touch him.

"I shouldn't have left you there," Sirius admitted, his voice a whispery rasp. Regulus snapped his head up in surprise, eyes widening just a little.

"I should have bundled you up and taken you with me the second I decided to leave. I should have reached out when we got back to Hogwarts. I should have told you to come with me, to get out of that fucking house. I should have done so many things, Regulus. I was...I was supposed to protect you, to look after you, and all I did was leave you behind."

"You needed to do what was best for yourself," Regulus said, awkward but fully believing it. He didn't know what to do with this sudden confession. In his last life, he and Sirius had never talked about that night. They'd never really spoken at all. The bitterness and betrayal on both sides had been too potent, too toxic, for them to ever consider reconciling.

Regulus' death had eliminated any chance of it ever happening.

But the years he had spent as a ghost, following Harry and watching over the boy, seeing how easily he loved and forgave, it had changed something in Regulus. It was why he was now able to let go of the resentment he had felt over what happened to him after Sirius had left.

"I should have taken you with me, I shouldn't have left you with them," Sirius repeated, clutching at him a little tighter, but Regulus shook his head.

"It wasn't your fault, Sirius," he said, reaching up to hold his brother's face in his hands. "Mother and Father, what they did to us, that's on them. They hurt both of us, in different ways and at different times, but I don't begrudge you for leaving. Not anymore. You burn so brightly, brother. I'd rather have you far away and shining than have you close and watch that light be snuffed out."

[oxydiane]

little harry, playing poker with sirius: i bet a sickle

sirius, reaching for a mirror, trying to teach him how to bluff: hang on there a minute bambi, i want to teach you something. look at your cards and then look in the mirror

harry: hey, i’m smiling

sirius: and what does that tell me about your cards?

harry: that i like them?

sirius: attaboy. now look at my face. [looks at his cards and frowns] tell me what you see

harry: that you’re old

sirius: … it’s a good thing i love you

[jmagnabo92]

Padfoot at the Pound

Could fit into the James Lives AU.  Harry and Sirius Saturday plus some Prongsfoot Sunday. :) 

Sirius and Harry play fetch in the park, and animal control ends up picking up Padfoot, who spends two nights in the Pound.  

***

Sirius’ favorite day of the week is Saturday – not because sometimes he has dates with his lovely husband James, but because whenever Harry doesn’t have plans with friends, his kid likes playing fetch with Padfoot.  

         The ten-year-old had been far more interested in spending weekends with his friends than with his parents, but Sirius could admit that he missed the days when he and James were Harry’s whole world. Thus, when Harry announced that the sleepover at Connor’s was cancelled due to chicken pox, he immediately offered for two of them going to hiking through the woods to their favorite park where they typically play fetch just the two of them.  

         Arriving at the park, Harry says, “Alright, Padfoot, ready to play?”

         Sirius nods, immediately chasing after the ball as he throws it and teasing him with it when he comes back by running around a gleefully happy Harry, who’s coincidentally yelling, “Bad dog – just give me the ball.”

         Eventually he does, and Harry throws it again.  

         Again, and again the process repeats for hours until Harry gets tired and it’s almost time for dinner.  As Sirius brings the ball back one last time, Harry says, “Wanna race home?”

         Sirius nods, and they both take off.  

         Unfortunately, he lets Harry take the lead because he wants to watch and make sure that Harry will get home safely and as Harry makes it onto the path that leads through the woods, Sirius is stopped by a couple of men in uniforms.  He’s confused and can’t change back to explain, so he backs up, growling at them, only to suddenly find that there was someone behind him who has a makeshift collar and leash.  

         He’s pulled back and suddenly feels a needle in his hindquarters and everything going black.  

***

         “Dad!  Dad!” Harry yells as he runs through the door.  “I lost Pads!”

         “What do you mean you lost Pads?” James asks as he looks up from his sudoku puzzle.  He’d been spending the afternoon enjoying the quiet while his husband and son played at the park.  

         “I mean – he was following me as Padfoot and then all of a sudden, he wasn’t – I realized, and I ran back, and I saw some animal control men putting him in the back of a van.  I tried to tell them that he was my dog, but they wouldn’t believe me – said someone called about a rogue menace and that they were taking him to the pound.”

         He’s not surprised to find that someone would’ve called animal control on Padfoot, particularly since there’s this one redheaded woman that purely loathes Padfoot since she always finds him a bit aggressive because she’s always flirting with James in front of him and he’s naturally jealous.  

         “Alright, best go break him out then.”

***

         Sirius is furious when he wakes up again.  He’s stuck as Padfoot inside a medium-sized cage with a muzzle and nothing else.  Immediately, he wants to get it off.  He’s a human pretending to be a dog – he should not be treated like an actual dog.  

         “Oh, look who’s awake,” a brown-haired worker comments, laughing slightly as his attempts to get the muzzle off.

         “Don’t antagonize the dogs, Jack,” another man says, who looks vaguely familiar.  “It’s hard for them to be locked up and you’re not helping by being aggressive towards them.”

         “He was aggressive, first.”

         “He’s a dog – he was reacting to being trapped.”

         “Yeah, yeah.  I don’t know why you care so much.  There’re just animals,” Jack states before heading for the door, “I’m going on break.  Be careful with that one.”

         As soon as Jack leaves, the second man approaches him, and says, “Don’t bite me now, Padfoot.”

         Sirius nods, still confused, slightly.  This isn’t James, so who could it be?

         The man takes the muzzle off, “There you go – I’d let you out, but I can’t – this is the longest job I have had in a while, and I can’t lose it.  The people here are very understanding about the full moon nights I need off because the rest of the time I take the unwanted shifts.  Just me and the dogs.”

         Sirius tilts his head and narrows his eyes.  Full moon?  Padfoot?  Not having long-term jobs?  Remus?

         “Ah, you didn’t recognize me at first.  It has been a decade – more than really, but it’s me – Moony,” Remus says.  “Not exactly how I thought we’d meet again.”

         If he could talk, he’d say the same, instead he nods.  

         Remus smiles as he opens the food door to give him food and water.  “Don’t worry, I’ll find a way to get you out,” he says as Sirius snorts at the offering, “until then, you’ll have to slum it with the rest of the dogs here.  Might learn a thing or two.”

         Sirius snorts, and still refusing to acknowledge the food, no matter how hungry he is, and moves to the furthest reaches of the cage, which isn’t very far to be away from it.  

***

         “Hi, I think you have my dog,” James says as he enters the nearby Pound with Harry in tow.  It’s late, and the receptionist is already gone, but there’s a nearby man who looks like he’s one of the workers, leaning against the doorway of a hall that looks like it has the dogs and other animals in cages.  

         “What makes you think that?” a brown-haired man with a nametag that reads Jack asks.

         “Oh, well, my son was playing with him, and they were going to race back to the house, but he turned around only to spot animal control carting him off,” James states.  “I can’t imagine why animal control would’ve been called, he’s a lovable dog really – just slightly big… which can be scary, but he really is…”

         “Lovable?  He’s a menace.  We’ve had numerous complaints about him.  So, yeah, when I got the call – I immediately went to go pick him up.”

         “What?  He wasn’t even doing anything wrong – he was playing fetch,” James states, angrily.  “You were plotting against him?  What do you have against my dog?”

         Before Jack could answer, another man comes out, “Hi, I’m Zach, may I help you?”

         “You have my dog,” James states.  “My son was playing with him, and they weren’t doing anything wrong.  This man claims my dog is a menace and that there’s mean numerous complaints, and that’s why he jumped at the chance to go pick him up when he was nothing wrong.”  He’s angry and struggling to hold it in.

         “Okay, take a deep breath, and tell me – does your dog have a collar?”

         “Uh, no – he’s really good, he’d never run off so…”

         “Okay, so tell me what he looks like.”

         “He’s big and black, very furry, sheds everywhere, like a sheepdog or wolfhound, we don’t quite know what breed he is – just sort of guessed,” James states.  “He’s here, right?”

         “He is here,” Zach assures him.  “And he’s going to stay here because if he doesn’t have a collar that means you haven’t registered him and we can’t let him go without registering him – filling out the paperwork, discussing the complaints that have been assigned to him, coming up with the plans to deal with the complaints and paying the fine.”

         James frowns, all of that sounded like it would take time – a lot of time and he wanted to bring his husband home.  “I – can’t I just pay the fine and promise to keep him on a leash from now on?”

         “Not with the number of complaints we’ve had,” Zach states.  “Not to mention the lack of paperwork.”

         “Okay, fine.  Giving me the paperwork, I’ll do it now.”  Maybe he’s wrong and it won’t take too long.

         “I can’t get you the paperwork, but I’m only the supervisor – you have to meet with the manager about the complaints and everything.”

         “Great, is he coming in soon?” James asks.

         “Uh, no, he’ll be in on Monday afternoon.”

         “Monday?” James asks, aghast.  “I can’t leave him in there for almost two days.”

         “He’s just a dog,” Jack scoffs.  “He can handle two days in a cage.  Might teach him something.”

         James glares at him, but Zach says, “Get out of here – it’s time to walk each one of them.”

         “Fine.”

         Once he’s gone, Zach turns to James, “I’m sorry, but he doesn’t come in on Sundays and he is the only one that can okay a release. Usually, it takes some time for the owners to make their way down here – especially on the weekend.  He’s here Monday through Friday, so…”

         “Paddy’s not coming home,” Harry questions from beside him.  Their son is looking so upset and guilty when this isn’t his fault.

         Zach looks down at him, “If it makes you feel better, you can at least say hi to him, but no.”

         Harry looks up hopefully.  “Please, Daddy?”

         “Yes, of course.”

***

         The sounds of Harry and James asking about the conditions of the pound and what normally happens to the dogs that have to stay overnight reach Sirius’ ears and he rushes to the front of the cage.  

         “Paddy!” Harry yells, rushing to him.  “I’m so sorry.”

         He lets Harry pet him through the bars of the cage, wondering why they weren’t opening the door.  “It’s not your fault, Harry.  Things happen – Padfoot understands that –”

         “But he has to stay in here for two days!”

         Two days? Sirius thinks, turning to James and trying to convey his confusion.

         “It’s just a couple of days – something about registering, complaints and rules on release.  You’ll be fine,” James assures him.  “We’ll be back Monday afternoon.”

         Monday afternoon?

         “You talk to him like he’s human,” Zach comments.

         “We’ve always treated our pets with the idea of them being a member of the family that could understand us,” James states to cover his strange behavior.  “I just think of him as so much more than as a dog.  He’s family.”

         “Alright, well, I’m sorry you have to wait, but you’ll have him back soon – I promise.”

         “Thank you,” he looks back at Sirius.  “We have to go now, but we’ll be back on Monday – just behave.”

         Sirius glares at him, while Harry whines, “I don’t want to leave him behind!”

         “It’s just for a couple of days, as soon as we can get him back, we will, I promise.”

         “But he can’t – can’t stay here…” Harry says, starting to cry.

         “Oh, Harry,” James starts, looking upset and uncertain.  Usually, Sirius would be the one to comfort him, but he can’t when he’s in a cage.  “I – he’ll be fine…”

         “I’ll take good care of him, Harry,” Remus says, reentering the room, with a different dog that was in the pound.  He puts the dog in its cage and turns to Harry, James and Sirius.  “I promise.”

         “Remus?” James asks, eyes wide in surprise.  “I – what are you doing here?”

         “I work here – been working here about three months.  I recognized Padfoot, but you got here before I could call or find your number,” Remus swallows, nervously.  “I know it’s – it’s been a while…”

         “Yeah, it has,” James states, not giving any sort of reaction.  “But um, maybe we should talk another time.”

         “Would you be willing?” Remus questions.  “I haven’t seen any of you in a long time and – and I thought you…”

         James takes a deep breath.  “If you take good care of Padfoot, then yes, I think we’d owe you at least a dinner and a talk… it’s been long overdue.”

         “I promise, I will,” Remus smiles.

         “Good, then, we’ll see you soon.”  He turns to Sirius, gives him a pet, and tells Sirius, “Be good, Padfoot.  We’ll see you on Monday.  I love you.”

***

         Living in the pound had definitely been humiliating for Sirius.  Only being allowed dog food and drinking out of a bowl, only being let out to do his business outside on a leash whenever the workers let him, having to whine for more attention when he needs it, and finally, living in a cage.  

         He couldn’t sleep and he couldn’t just get up and roam around like he normally would.  He missed checking on Harry or waking James for some fun in the middle of the night. The cage was hard and cold, and he spent most of his time listening to the other dogs’ whines and barks, completely bored.  He had no entertainment at all except for the workers.

         He hated every minute of it – the only thing that helped was that whenever that arsehole Jack was giving him all sorts of bollocks about how he was a menace and shouldn’t be let out (apparently, his wife was the one calling the pound on him), Remus would intervene.

         “Leave that dog alone,” he’d say.  “Don’t you think being locked up here is enough?”

         Jack continually scoffed, but would stop until the next hour or so, and do it again.  In between Jack’s bollocks, Remus would talk to him.  Tell him that it’s not that bad, that it’ll be over soon, and at least it’s temporary.  Sometimes, he’d talk a little about his life in the last decade, how surprised he was to see them all – how he wondered if he’d ever see them, again.  How he was sorry that he thought Sirius could’ve been a traitor.  These things were meant to make Sirius feel better, but it was difficult when Sirius couldn’t offer anything back except for a nod or a shake of the head.

Thankfully it’s now Monday morning and he should hopefully be let out soon.  He couldn’t wait, and definitely would be trying to forget every moment of this weekend of hell in this pound as soon as he was out.  

         He’s being led around on the leash by Remus in the yard for his business when he sees James and Harry.

         “Paddy!” Harry yells running to the fence.  He reaches through to pet him.  “Are you okay?”

         Sirius nods, and Remus adds, “He’s been fine, he’s just a little bit embarrassed by the situation, I’m sure.”

         James nods, “Well, we’ll be getting him out soon – any chance Harry can just play with him while I deal with everything?”

         “Of course, we can them in one of the getting to know you rooms, but,” he lowers his voice, “he shouldn’t change back until you’re back home.”

         “I will make sure he doesn’t,” James assures him. “We’ll meet you in the front.”

         Remus nods and he leads Sirius into one of the rooms where Harry’s led into the room on his own minutes later.  He throws his arms around Sirius and mutters all of the reasons that he’s sorry about the situation.  Sirius shakes his head, subtly trying to tell Harry that it isn’t his fault.  Sirius should’ve been following closer or not to suggest that James shouldn’t also come so that he could spend some time alone with their kid.  

         It’s his fault and he should be more aware of how he comes off to other people – particularly that redhead that’s Jack’s wife, who hates him because he’s aggressive with her due to her interest in his husband. Harry’s not at fault for this.

         “Harry, I’m sure that Sirius –” he gives Remus a look, “– that your Paddy doesn’t blame you at all.  Why don’t you tell him about what he missed in the weekend?”

         Sirius nods, and Harry still doesn’t appear to believe it, but instead, pets him and tells him all about their weekend.  “Dad and I decided to distract ourselves from you being in here by going to Harrods to buy you some presents.  Daddy said your anniversary is coming up and he wants to make sure that you have the best presents ever.  So, we picked up some things that you’re going to love.”

         He details the shops that they visited, their plans for special dinner tonight and how James called Harry off school because he figures that Harry wouldn’t be paying attention in school with one of his fathers in doggie jail.  He talks about their plans for next weekend and how he really wants Sirius to come to his play on Friday night (as if he’d ever miss it) and how Connor’s sleepover was moved to Saturday, but he sort of wants to spend some more time with James and Sirius after the craziness of the weekend.  

         He’s just about to tell him about what he wants to do this weekend, when James is appears in the doorway.  “We’re free to go,” he grins as he takes a new light blue collar with the name Padfoot on a tag and a leash and attaches it to Sirius.  “We’ve just got to remember to keep Padfoot on a leash from now on.”  Sirius growls a little at that, but James says, “I’d like to not have my husband at home rather than in the pound, so if Padfoot needs a leash and collar, that’s exactly what we’re going to do – especially since it cost 500 pounds with how many complaints there were.”

         Sirius nods, feeling bad about the cost of this situation, and James turns to Remus.  “Thank you for looking out for him.  Um, maybe we could get together this week?”

         “I look forward to it,” Remus states.  “Feel free to give me a call or send an owl…”

         “We live in this world, don’t actually have an owl,” James states, uncomfortably.  “We’ll give you a call.”

         “Sounds good.  See you later.”

         “Yeah, see you.”

***

         Sirius basks in the feeling of the water of the shower.  Luckily, he wasn’t bathed in that place since he didn’t stink when they picked him up.  Still, he immediately made for the shower after assuring Harry that it was not his fault that Sirius had antagonized the woman at the park for weeks because of … well, he didn’t tell Harry why he’d been upset with her.  

         The water feels great as he washes away the grime, and he’s relieved by the freedom he feels at just being able to do something so basic on his own.  

         “Damn, you look so good,” James says, clearly watching through the clear shower door.  “Despite the fact that you’ve spent the last two days in doggie jail.”

         “You’re not going to let it go anytime soon, are you?” Sirius teases even as James joins him.  “Teasing me about being stuck as Padfoot and thrown in doggie jail.”

         “Hmm-mm, well, it is funny now that you’re out,” James grins, his hands wandering over his body.  “To be fair, I know it must’ve been embarrassing.”

         “It was embarrassing – eating dog food, being on a leash, in a cage – it was awful,” Sirius admits.  “I’m looking forward to that welcome home dinner you promised me.”

         “Hmm-mm, it’s coming along nicely – thought I’d use a bit of magic to watch it while having some fun with you in the shower.”  James gives him a deep kiss as he fingers Sirius’ hole.  “Are you in the mood for me?”

         “Aren’t I always?” Sirius grins.  “Could be just the distraction I’m looking for.”

         “Good.”

***

         James can’t help smiling at his husband with Harry as he reads him a bedtime story.  Harry’s been ‘too old’ for bedtime stories for passed couple of years, but suddenly, tonight, he wanted Sirius to read him a story.  Sirius, thrilled, had settled in for a long story while James watched from the doorway.  

         He loves watching Harry and Sirius together. He loves knowing that they have such a bond together.  Sirius is a wonderful father and partner and James loves to see it.  

         “Alright, it’s time to go to sleep,” Sirius states, closing the book he’d been reading.  

         “No!  Can’t you keep going?”

         “Sorry, pup, but you’ve got school tomorrow,” Sirius states.  “And you should’ve gone to school today.”

         “I know,” Harry grumbles.  “But I couldn’t help thinking about you in doggie jail.”

         “I was fine – I told you.  It’s not as comfortable as being home, but it was a little – doggie vacation.”

         “It didn’t look like a doggie vacation,” Harry states, calling him on his lie.  “All the dogs in there looked sad.”

         “Well, they just missed their families, so it’s not the best doggie vacation, but it’s not so bad,” Sirius states.  “Besides, it was only a couple of days – nothing to worry about.”

         “But –”

         “No, Harry, stop worrying.  I was fine, and now, I’m home.”  Sirius leans down and kisses Harry’s forehead.  “I’m home, and there’s nothing to worry about.”

         “You really don’t blame me?”

         “Of course not, it’s all my fault – just like I told you,” Sirius assures him.  “I love you, kid, believe me – you’re fine.”

         “I love you, too, Paddy.  I’m happy you’re home.”

         “Happy to be home, now get some sleep,” Sirius says. Another kiss on the forehead, before getting up and saying, “Good night, pup.”

         “Good night, Paddy.  ‘Night, Dad.”

         “Night, Harry,” James says as they turn out the lights, and close the door.  As soon as they’re safely in their bedroom, James smiles because he always gets so turned on when he sees Sirius being such a good dad, “You’re so great with him.”

         Sirius grins at him, “Well, he’s my son, too.”

         James kisses him, subtly starting to undress him. “I love you so much.”

         “I love you, too,” Sirius breathes between kisses. “And I missed you while I was in doggie jail.”

         “I missed you, too – no more getting yourself thrown in doggie jail.”

         “I promise, love.”

         “Good.”