medasavagepotter

Latest Posts by medasavagepotter

I'm sick of people saying that it's homophobic to not like Wolfstar, or that being interested in the Marauders having platonic friendships means you're low-key homophobic. It's not a crime to not want everything to be about romance.

I've got nothing against same-sex relationships, I just like the dynamic of the Marauders' friendships being purely platonic and would rather see them with in romantic relationships with people outside of their group, whether their partner is male or female.

…

this is so me lmao

sirius: i’m so mysterious

also sirius 10 minutes after meeting anyone: -and i think that’s the day my mom stopped loving me

hey!! it's me again (: hope ur having an amazing day darling!! ok so i was wondering if you have any fics or could find any where an adult or someone us mad at peter and he just cries? or just breaks? because he HATES disappointing people or really just shocked :/ i just need that angst atm u know? it doesn't have to be tony or anyone specific, hell even mj if u want but yeah!! i just wanted to ask <3 smile and keep going!! love u and thank you always for giving me fanfics!! ─rie

Hi darling! here you go! don’t forget to comment and leave kudos. ily, thanks for asking and for the sweet words and i hope your day is lovely too x 

I Do Listen To You by Icylightning

Tony was not having a good week. Too bad he takes his anger out on Peter.

-

work overload by captainstarspangled

In which Peter is actually Tony’s intern and Pepper makes him cry.

-

Can’t take the heat by Webtrinsic

Peter knows its not Mr. Stark’s fault he can’t handle being yelled at, that doesn’t stop the man from feeling guilty though.

-

Swallow Your Pride (And Say You’re Sorry) by breadknee

Tony Stark has spent his whole life saying shitty things. He should’ve known he would hurt Peter too.

-

The Tumblr Archives: Chapter 22: Shout, Shout, Let It All Out by losingmymindtonight

Written for the anon who left the prompt: “peter doing something self sacrificing and stupidly heroic during a fight and tony is like. fucking screaming at him once they’re safe cause he doesn’t wanna loose his kid but he stops when he sees peters eyes wide in fear, hands shaking, knees about to give out and tony realizes just how fucking scary it must’ve been to have to step up and do whatever the stupidly heroic act was, especially for a teenager…”

WARNINGS: mention of past child abuse, lots of explicit language, yelling

-

1. “i’m trying” by spjderloki

peter comes back after a long patrol and his dad isn’t in the best mood ever.

While movie harry being a clueless awkward thingie... He was literally how he was potrayed after drinking felix

k sure

Walburga: so… you’re still gay, then?

Sirius: no, actually I forgot to pay my Gay Bill this month so they cut me off.

c'mon Ill be walburga for you

Lets give the tumblr people a good laugh then shall we?

Walburga: so… you’re still gay, then?

Sirius: no, actually I forgot to pay my Gay Bill this month so they cut me off.

GGSB Fest 2024 - You're My Hero

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt - hero

When Harry is tasked with a holiday paper about his personal hero, Sirius is surprised to learn that it's *him*.

AO3

***

“Hey kid, what are you working on?” Sirius asks, as he sees Harry at the table writing something on parchment.  It’s their first winter holidays that they’re spending together after his breakout and subsequent freedom the previous year.  “Thought you wouldn’t have any homework for the holidays.”

“Oh, erm, McGonagall heard about this… muggle paper… that she wanted us to try writing.  She’s hoping that it might help people see that I’m just an ordinary kid and stop people from treating me differently.”

Sirius frowns.  “Muggle paper … about what that would do that?”

“Your personal hero,” Harry states.  “Since we have to list three reasons why this person – a real person – is our personal hero, she thinks it’ll help people realize that they don’t have three reasons to consider me their hero and might, you know, think of me as a kid.  Not a mythical hero.”

Sirius hums.  “She waited until your fourth year for this?”

“I think she just realized that it was kind of a big deal the last few years and she just finally wanted to do something,” Harry states.  “She mentioned something about your talk with her?”

“Oh,” Sirius offers.  He had had a talk with her after Harry had admitted to some difficulties he’s had with the students in previous years.  Higher expectations, badgering him when he just wanted to go to class, and treating him overall differently.  Harry wants to be normal, and he deserves that.  So, Sirius wanted to deal with that.  “That … explains a lot.  I hope it helps.”

“Me too.”

Harry returns to his paper, and honestly, Sirius is curious about who Harry might write about: Lily, since she saved him?  James, since he tried to protect them both?  Maybe the Weasleys since they tried to be there for him – (not enough for Sirius’ opinion, but to Harry, it probably was)?

He wants to ask, but before he can, Harry says, “It’s not done yet, but … when I’m done, do you – you want to read it?”

“I’d love that,” Sirius says, smiling. 

“Good.”

***

Three days later just before Harry’s about to go to bed, he says, “I left the paper on the counter.  If you don’t like it… I could… write about someone else.  Just … let me know.”

Sirius tilts his head in confusion even as he says, “I’m sure it’s great.  I’ll go read it now.  Have a good night.”

“Night, Pads.”

Harry rushes up the stairs and Sirius moves to the table to read Harry’s paper.

My godfather is my hero because… 

And Sirius can’t stop the “Oh,” from slipping out.  

Harry had written about him.  He – he thought Sirius was his hero.  

He saved me from my relatives, he gave me a home, and he chooses to love me for who I am and not what I am to the world…

Sirius can’t stop the tears rolling down his cheeks as he reads all about how Harry truly felt since the moment that Sirius offered him a home that night that they caught Pettigrew.  Harry had detailed a very long paper about how amazing Sirius was just for simple things like writing letters and making his favorite dinner.  Things like letting him decorate his own room and the fact that he has a legit room to live in.

It's … beautifully written.  The love splashed across the page is hard to miss and it melts Sirius’ heart.  

(Of course, he also wants to kill the Dursleys because basic care for a child should not be hero-worthy, but that’s for another time).  Right now, he just wants to go hug his kid tight and tell him he loves him.

Thus, when he reaches the end of the paper, he gets up to do just that and isn’t surprised that Harry’s anxiously waiting at the top to the stairs.  

Oh right, he sounded like he was worried that Sirius wouldn’t be thrilled with being the subject of the paper.

But he is… he so is.

He rushes up the stairs and pulls Harry into a hug.  

“I love you, Kid, so much.”

“You’re okay with it, then?” Harry asks, still worried despite being in Sirius’ arms.  

“I’m thrilled, kid.  It’s such an honor.  I hope that I continue to live up to the honor of being your hero.”

Harry hugs him tightly back.  “You will, I know you will.”

“Good.”

reblog if you’ve read fanfictions that are more professional, better written than some actual novels. I’m trying to see something

exactly! Why would you hate on my poor dear !?

I’ve never personally interacted with anyone in the marauders fandom who hated Sirius. The fact that some people allegedly do is completely baffling…

If you people do exist (do you? Do you really?) can you drop into my inbox anon if you want, and explain why????

From a confused and bewildered Sirius fan

Can anyone please write a prongsfoot fluff bromance fic and tag me really need it

james and sirius

Ron and harry

Oh and also lily and sirius

Write in the tags: who of your OTP / BroTP is the one who lifts the other on their shoulder so that they can see?

Love the art tbh

But how would it be with james sirius and lily

Tell me that I'm wrong. I dare you.

what do you think we’d do, let them starve?

Just a little drabble based on this line in OOTP, cause it always makes me think, "well, that is pretty much what you did to Harry..."

“And as for who’s going to look after Ron and Ginny if you and Arthur died,” said Lupin, smiling slightly, “what do you think we’d do, let them starve?”

Mrs. Weasley smiled tremulously.

As Mrs. Weasley mopped her eyes and muttered that she was being silly, Lupin’s words washed over Harry.

“What do you think we’d do; let them starve?”

That’s what they did to him, Harry thought bitterly. They’d dropped him off on his aunt and uncle’s doorstep and left him there for ten years. Nobody had cared about the days and nights he spent in his cupboard with his stomach grumbling, hoping that he could sneak out to steal food from the kitchen after the Dursleys fell asleep.

A sharp feeling of hurt shot through him as Lupin continued to comfort Mrs. Weasley, and Harry abruptly turned on his heel and left the room. He climbed the stairs two-at-a-time, desperate to get away from the others before they noticed that something was wrong. He climbed the stairs until there were no more stairs to climb, ending up in the attic. It was cluttered with furniture, trunks, boxes, and other knick-knacks, but Harry found a clear spot and squished himself in between a battered steamer trunk and a side table that had legs carved to look like snakes.

He tucked his knees up, wrapped his arms around his legs, and buried his face in his knobby knees. He was not going to cry. He was not going to get upset. He was going to sit here and breathe until all of these stupid emotions stopped stirring around in his chest, and then he was going to go back downstairs with no one the wiser.

Off in the distance, he could hear another set of footsteps climbing the stairs. He waited for them to stop off at one of the floors, but they kept coming and coming until the attic door creaked open. Harry didn’t move. He didn’t even lift his head. Maybe if he stayed squished here in this spot, whoever it was wouldn’t notice.

“Mind if I join you?”

Harry didn’t want to see anyone. But of all the people who had come after him, he was glad it was his godfather. Harry shrugged awkwardly, still not looking up. Sirius picked his way through the clutter, pushed the steamer trunk aside, and sank down beside Harry so they were sitting shoulder to shoulder.

Sirius bumped his shoulder gently. “Are you all right, Harry? That boggart scared me, seeing your dead body laying there.”

Harry slowly raised his head to look at his godfather. Sirius looked even more pale and drawn than he usually did. Harry hadn’t even thought of how the boggart would have affected him.

“I’m all right,” Harry muttered.

Harry was grateful when Sirius didn’t push him to say more. They sat in a comfortable silence for a long while, with Harry slowly slumping and leaning into Sirius’s side. Sirius tucked one long, skinny arm around Harry’s back and pulled him closer into his side.

“If you want to talk about it, I’m happy to listen,” Sirius said gently.

“Talk about what?” Harry asked grumpily.

“About why you ran off like there was a Hungarian Horntail on your tail,” Sirius replied. “Was it just the boggart?”

“No,” Harry admitted after another long silence. “It was something else.”

“Thought so,” Sirius said. Harry wanted to roll his eyes at his godfather’s smug tone.

“It was what Lupin said after,” Harry said.

“What Remus said after?”

Harry tilted his head to look up at his godfather, who was looking down at him with a furrowed brow.

“Mrs. Weasley was worried about what would happen to Ron and Ginny if she and Mr. Weasley died. And Lupin said that they wouldn’t let them starve,” Harry repeated.

“And that upset you?” Sirius asked curiously.

Harry shrugged and looked down at his hands, twisting the edge of his t-shirt.

“It didn’t matter when it was me,” Harry mumbled after a long silence. “I – I was hungry all the time growing up. And nobody ever checked on me.”

Sirius swallowed hard and tucked Harry even closer into his side. Harry buried his face in his godfather’s shoulder to hide the tears that he could feel prickling in the back of his eyes.

“I used to sit in my cupboard and dream about someone coming to save me. But no one ever did. Not until Hagrid brought my Hogwarts letter. And even then, I still had to go back. I always have to go back.”

“Oh, Harry,” Sirius whispered into his hair. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you then. But I’m here for you now. And I’m not going to let you go back.”

Harry didn’t want to get his hopes up. He had before, and they had been torn away from him as fast as a hippogriff could fly. But as he sank into Sirius’s comforting embrace in the dusty old attic of Grimmauld Place, he so badly wanted to believe that this could be it: this could be the day that he was finally saved.

Nope, me too but I thought I was the only one

the real reason harry’s hair was so long in gof was because he had just met sirius and thought his hair was sick as fuck so he started growing his out

@impishtubist

We neeeed u to write this

About Sirius always having Harry’s back.

Sirius: “MY godson would NEVER punch your… kid….”

Harry: *aggressively shaking his head*

Sirius: “Unless YOUR kid deserved it. Because to me it looks like he did”

Carla when I tell you I almost sent this EXACT scenario to @impishtubist two hours ago 😂😂😂 CACKLING

Atyd

“So… what?” Remus gaped, “We just leave things as they are?”

Sirius scratched behind his ear, looking down, a strange, shy gesture.

“I’d rather not.”

“You’d rather not.” Remus repeated, dumbfounded.

“No. I mean, if you want me to go ‘round telling everyone I know then sorry, but we’re not all as ballsy as you. I need more time. But… I could try.”

“You could try.” This was not the outcome Remus had expected when the conversation began. “What do you m--”

Sirius cut him off, placing a palm on Remus’s cheek to turn it towards him, and kissing him gently on the lips.

“I mean I will try.” He said, as he pulled away. “I miss you, Moony.”

Oh, you would go and say something like that… Remus grabbed him and pulled him back. It was like water after a drought, shelter in a storm - they were the still point of the turning world and every other stupid sloppy cliché you could think of. They kissed for a long time, and when they came apart they were practically gasping with relief.

“No more girls?” Remus asked, still holding Sirius in place, as if he might run away.

“No more girls.” Sirius agreed. “Let’s see how this pans out first.”

“Oh, charming.” Remus let go, satisfied.

“Shuddup,” Sirius nudged him with his shoulder, hands deep inside his pockets. “C’mon, let’s go back to the tent eh? Freezing.”

Credit to Atyd by misskingbean89

I am not really a slash person but even i have to admit this is cute

GGSB Fest 2024 - The Honor of a Name

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt Harry's kids

Harry worries about being a parent, but Sirius is there to support him as a good godfather and an even better grandfather.

AO3

***

Harry had been a nervous wreck throughout the pregnancy, even though he wasn’t the one pregnant.  His wife, Luna, assured him that they would be good parents, even if they hadn’t quite been raised by good parents.  Yes, Luna had her father around, but he was … not the greatest, loving though.  Harry technically raised by the Dursleys (who sucked), with some support by Sirius but between being on the run and dying and coming back later… well, there wasn’t consistent parenting.  

At least he’s trying now.

Throughout Harry’s many, many nights of waking him up and telling him about how he couldn’t do this.  He hadn’t wanted to worry Luna because he knew that Sirius would be able to calm him down, but now, she’s in labor and he’s freaking out and he can’t breathe and it’s –

“Hey, I’m here, Harry.”

Harry looks up from where he was sitting outside her room – she said he was freaking her out and he needed to calm down outside.

“Oh, Sirius, thank Merlin – I can’t – I can’t do this.  I’m not ready to be a father!” Harry practically yells, earning looks from the people in the vicinity.  

Sirius sits next to him and puts an arm around his shoulders.  “Listen to me, Kid.  No one ever thinks they’re ready and I get it.  You haven’t had the best examples for parents when you were younger, but – but – you are an incredible young man and you and Luna will make wonderful parents.”

“How can you say that when you don’t know –”

“I do know, though, because I know you and you are an incredible young man that has been through a lot – you manage to adapt to any situation and thrive – the same will be true for this, I promise.”

Harry looks up at him and sees sincerity in his eyes.  “I can’t do it alone.”

“You’re not alone,” Sirius says.  “This baby is going to have two wonderful parents, two grandfathers and a whole bunch of Weasleys to help you out.”

Harry grins and lets out a chuckle.  “Yeah, yeah, you’re right, of course.”

“Now, go in there and keep your wife calm – it’s what she needs from you right now.”

“Of course.”

Harry gives him a hug and says, “You’ll stay?”

“Of course.  Anything for you, kid.”

***

Two hours later, a very tired looking Harry appears in the doorway.  “Would you like to meet my son?”

Sirius grins.  “Naturally.”

He follows Harry into the room, where Luna is looking just as tired, but happy.  She’s holding a little boy that looks remarkedly like Harry – those Potter genes are something special.

“We have someone we’d like you to meet,” Luna says, “Would you like to hold him?”

“Of course, of course.” 

He takes the baby in his arms and can’t help thinking about Harry when he was born.  “He looks just like you, Harry.”

Harry grins.  “And like his grandfather, James.  Who he’s named after.”

“Baby James,” Sirius says, looking up to spare them a smile.  “I love it.”

“You’ll love his middle name even more,” Luna says.  “Harry, would you like to…”

Harry clears his throat nervously, causing Sirius look up.  

“We’d like to name him after you – James Sirius Potter,” Harry says, looking at him hopefully.  

“Oh… oh, Harry… Luna… really?” Sirius says stuttering.  “That’s such an honor…”

“An honor that you deserve.”

Sirius looks down at the baby in his arms, and smiles, nodding.  “Thank you.  I only hope that I continue to do the honor right.”

“You will.”

***

James Sirius Potter is the light of all of their lives, and Harry can’t help grinning at seeing Sirius so full of grandfatherly cheerfulness.  It’s a blessing and a curse.  

There’s a part of him that wishes he’d gotten that with Sirius, but he loves what he has with him, too, it’s different, but lovely.

Just as he’s about to call them in for lunch, Luna comes out of the house where she’d been resting.  Heavily pregnant and meant to be on bed rest, Harry immediately worries, “Is something wrong?”

“I am in labor,” Luna groans.  

Harry nods.  “Better get you to the hospital,” she nods and wobbles away to the car.  “Sirius!”

Sirius turns at the yell and can immediately see the stress on Harry’s face.

“Luna’s in labor, will you –”

“Take care of my grandson?  Yes.”

Harry lets out a relieved breath.  “Thanks.”

“Just worry about your wife, I’ve got everything handled here.”

“You’re the best,” Harry says before disappearing after his wife.  

Time to have another baby.

***

Sirius is grinning as he holds three-year-old James in his arms, and looking at the happy, yet exhausted Harry and Luna.  

The pink bundle in Harry’s arms looking remarkedly like Luna.  

“So, what’s this one’s name?”

“Lily Pandora Potter,” Harry says, grinning.  “We weren’t sure which should go first, but Luna insisted.  

Sirius smiles.  “She’s beautiful.”

“But she’s early, so she and Luna are going to have to stay a few days, would you mind…”

“Watching my favorite grandson – I can say that, ‘cause I only have one – while you’re gone?  Not at all.” Sirius states before turning to James in his arms.  “Jamie and I will have all sorts of fun, right, Jamie?”

“Yeah!”

“There you have it,” Sirius states.  He reaches out his free arm to squeeze Harry’s shoulder.  “I got this; you don’t have to worry about a thing.”

***

Harry smiles as he sits beside Sirius in his backyard a few years later.  Sirius had been a delightful godsend.  Always there with advice, willing to listening about Harry’s woes, or just to give Harry (and Luna) a break – the perfect grandparent. 

“You’ve done well with them, you know,” Sirius offers as he watches Luna chasing them around.  “In a few years, they’ll be off at Hogwarts, and everything will be great.”

“Everything is great – partially thanks to you,” Harry says, smiling.  “Best grandfather ever.”

Sirius grins.  “Thanks, kiddo.”

“Anytime.”

GGSB Fest 2024 - Let Me Take Care of You

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt - Sick Harry

When Harry gets sick, Sirius has to convince him to let him take care of him.

AO3

***

If there was one thing that stuck with Harry even six months after he’d been rescued from the Dursleys and Sirius was given custody, it was that – he should try to be the least burden that he could be.  That meant that he should help out around the house and not let Sirius feel like he has to do too much for him.

Which is why when he wakes up sick as a dog that he does his best to hide it.  He couldn’t let Sirius think that he had to take care of him.

Unfortunately, Harry was too miserable in his sickness to fake being fine for more than a few minutes.  Especially when he attempts to cook breakfast side by side with Sirius and sways a bit too much on his feet.  

He would have fallen over if not for Sirius catching him and helping him to a nearby chair.  “Harry, are you alright?”

“Fine, fine – no worries about me.  Promise.”

Apparently, Sirius can see right through him.  “Kid.”

Harry sighs and groans, his head throbbing.  “Fine, I’m sick, but it’s fine – I can still help around the house and cook breakfast and –”

“And I don’t think so.  You’re going straight to bed.”

“No, I can’t,” Harry states.  “I need to help… I need to not be a –”

“Not be a what?” Sirius states.

“A … nothing.”

Harry’s ashamed and ill, but he’s not going to admit the real problem.

The look on Sirius’ face tells him that he doesn’t need to finish.  He knows.

“Alright, kid, let’s get you upstairs…”

“I’m fi –” he’s not fine.  In fact, he starts coughing so much that he could barely breathe.  

“Come on, Harry, let me take care of you.”

“Fine.”

***

Sirius leads Harry upstairs, and tucks him in.  The kid falls asleep in moments.  

He’s relieved and spends the day making sure that the groggy Harry is taken care of and reassures him every time he wakes that he is not a burden and that he needs to be resting and taking care of himself.  

Around lunch time, Sirius makes him some soup in bed, has him drink some water and take some potions before going back to sleep.  

Sirius makes sure that he’s comfortable and reads him back to sleep.  

***

It takes a few days, much to Harry’s annoyance, but once he’s all better, he makes breakfast in bed for Sirius and says, “It’s just a thank you for taking care of me.”

“Oh, kid.  You don’t have to thank me – I love you, it’s my job to take care of you,” Sirius says, love in his eyes.

Harry flushes.  “It’s just – I know you say that, but … growing up, I was always told that…”

“You were a burden,” Sirius guesses.  “I realize after fourteen years of being told that it would take longer than six months for you to accept that you are not a burden, but you aren’t.  They are terrible people for making you believe that, and I want you to know that you are never a burden to me.”

Harry flushes.  “You mean that?”

“Of course I do,” Sirius assures him.  “Do you believe me?”

Harry nods, shyly.  “Yeah, Pads, I do.”

“Good, then why don’t we spend the day celebrating that you’re all better and away from those people.”

“Sounds great.”

“Good.”

Remus not checking up on Harry for 12 years because he was busy being sad in Wales and Sirius not breaking out of Azkaban for 12 years because he was literally being tortured every single day are not the same thing at all, in this essay I will–

wth u leaked their nudes! Dude!

i decided to get out my art supplies and draw beautiful fanart for @impishtubist's Top Sirius Agenda so y'all can visualize it 🥰

also wolfstarbucks because why the fuck not 🤗

im rusty. so rusty. and also extremely late for christmas. i may as well have waited 350 days until the holidays came around again, but im trying to write more this year, so hear you go? eek im nervous. please pardon any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. enjoy! also tumblr doesn't seem to have line breaks so sorry if any time jumps are confusing.

also a warning for language and mentions of wanting to step in front of a bus as an extreme response to being embarrassed. i swear this is all fluff otherwise.

Harry doesn't know what to get Sirius for Christmas.

Well, to clarify, Harry doesn't know if he can get Sirius anything adequately worth a damn. Because how can a game (magical or not) or piece of art or trinket or any sort of anything say hey Merry Christmas and by the way, thanks for saving me from my horrible abusive household where I lived in a cupboard and for wrangling a fucked up wizarding judicial system so that it both exonerates you from a murder you didn't commit and lets you adopt a kid you only properly met six months ago.

Harry would also like the gift (if he ever manages to find something) to say also thank you for giving me my own bedroom and for making pancakes every Saturday morning and for letting me visit my friends and for playing two-man Quidditch with me and for ruffling my hair and for always letting me pick the film that we watch and for telling me stories about my parents and for always being just enough and for not pushing me when I have nothing to say and for calling me by my name instead of shouting boy angrily-

Harry figures that he should cut himself off there. Any more gratitudes and the gift will literally be impossible to find, lest it be the size of Hogwarts in an effort to cram any and all unspoken messages Harry doesn't have the courage to voice out loud.

So Harry does what he usually does in a sticky situation. He turns to his friends.

No clue mate, Ron writes. I normally get Mum perfume and Dad whatever Muggle trinket he's been obsessing over. So unless Sirius wants a rubber duck, I probably won't be much help. But you could probably give him one and he'd be ecstatic. You're pretty much his favorite person right now.

Ah bloody hell. Do you think I should get Sirius something as a thanks for Pig?

Even though he's sure Ron's right (although Padfoot might enjoy a rubber duck more than Sirius), Harry doesn't have time to add Ron's own gift conundrum to his list of problems, so he turns to Hermione, who ends up being a bit more helpful.

I know you said that Sirius was interested in curse-breaking and how it can be used to help with cleaning up Grimmauld Place, so maybe something pertaining to that? A book or starter kit? Or perhaps something a bit more personal, something he couldn't just buy in a shop. Don't worry too much, Harry. He'll love whatever it is you give him because it's you.

Harry disregards the book suggestion immediately. Sirius does read; over the holiday break the two of them have taken to sitting quietly on opposite sides of the couch in the sitting room, reading books from the Black family library and munching on the latest treat Mrs. Weasley has sent them while flames blaze in the fireplace, only breaking the peaceful quiet occasionally to share whatever interesting passage has just been read. But Harry doesn't want to give a present that reminds Sirius of the exhausting work they do every day trying to make Grimmauld Place a habitable home.

Hermione's other suggestion, however, gets Harry thinking. Something he couldn't just buy in a shop. That obviously eliminates all of the last-resort items Harry had on his mental list, as they were dumb things he had planned to frantically order by mail once he gave up on the idea of finding something good enough for Sirius. But it also opens up a new idea, something that Harry himself had appreciated when he had received it a few years ago.

He begins firing off letters and mail-in order forms with an efficiency Hermione would admire. The owls return in quick fashion, up to three or four a day. Sirius doesn't notice anything at first, but when Hedwig taps on the kitchen window for the second time that day during breakfast, he gets up and lets her in with a raised eyebrow at Harry.

"Wiseacre's Wizarding Equipment?" he asks, somewhat incredulously, peering at the label on the package. "Harry, love, you know we can just go to Diagon Alley whenever you'd like. No need to rely on owl post if you're running low on supplies."

Harry flushes and snatches the small, soft package from Hedwig, stuffing it under his armpit and looking determinedly at his porridge. He hopes he doesn't have ACTUALLY IT'S PART OF YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT written all over his face.

"It's fine," he shrugs, aiming for casual nonchalance with his tone. "It's just a small thing. No point in going all the way down to Diagon Alley. Besides, the crowds would drive you crazy. They'd probably give you a concussion trying to get a picture."

Sirius grimaces, probably thinking of their last attempt to go for an ice cream at Fortescue's shortly before Harry had left for the fall term. They'd returned to Grimmauld Place ice cream-less and with a giant tear down the front of Harry's robes.

"Nothing a Glamour Charm wouldn't fix," he responds, grabbing his own empty bowl and bringing it to the sink. "Anyway, it's not fair for us to be shut up in this damned house because some people can't behave themselves in public. You just let me know whenever you want to go out, alright? I promise I won't breathe down your neck while you look at potions ingredients and whatnot. Even if they all suspiciously happen to be ingredients for an Enlarging Potion."

He manages to ruffle Harry's hair before the boy squawks out a "Sirius!" and darts out the kitchen, cackling in response to Harry's sputtered "I'm not... I wouldn't... SIRIUS!"

As Christmas approaches, Harry begins to stay up later and later into the night, working frantically to finish Sirius' present. One late night (or early morning, really), he hears a gentle knock on his door. He jumps and shoves the half completed project under his comforter.

"Come in!"

Sirius peeks his head through the cracked open door. "Are you alright? I was getting a glass of water and noticed your light was still on."

Harry nods, trying to convey a casualness he doesn't feel beneath the stress of wanting to have the present ready by Christmas morning. "Yes. Fine. I was just... reading." He reaches for his nightstand and holds up the latest book he's knicked from the Black family library for this exact purpose.

Sirius raises an eyebrow. "You sure? I've read that one before. Couldn't last more than thirty seconds at a time without falling asleep."

Harry glances at the cover. He hasn't even cracked it open yet. "It's actually quite interesting. I've always been fascinated by... the evolution of wizarding legalese from 1500 to 1800." He internally winces as the subject matter is finally made apparent to his sleep-deprived brain.

Sirius pauses, clearly sensing that something's up. He must decide that now's not the time to probe further because he says, "Alright. You're stronger than me, then. Let me know if you need anything though." He begins to retreat and close the bedroom door but stops right before he actually does. "I forgot, " he murmurs, opening the door wide and stepping fully into Harry's bedroom. He approaches Harry where he's sitting on his bed. Harry tries to discretely shove the half-finished present further under the covers. "You had a letter downstairs. We must have missed it earlier. I only saw it when I was getting water." He hands over a rather thick envelope to Harry, who flips it over, notes the name of the sender, and smiles, relieved.

Sirius lets out a small puff of air, and Harry looks up at the sound. Sirius pastes on a rather strained smile. "Do you often write to Mrs. Weasley?"

Harry's brain scrambles for a response. "Erm. Not really."

He doesn't say anything else, unsure how to explain away the situation convincingly. A rather awkward silence settles between them. Sirius looks as if he's summoning the courage to say something.

Sirius takes a deep breath. "I'm here if you ever want to talk, Harry. I know the Weasley's have always been great to you, and I never want to feel like you're getting that taken away. But, I just want you to know that I'm also here, in addition to them. For anything. No questions asked or judgement cast. Alright?"

The letter slips out of Harry's grip, as he frantically waves his hands in front of him, desperate to correct Sirius' perception of the situation. "Oh, no, Sirius, I know! I swear it. We were just... planning Ron's birthday present this year. They wanted to throw him a party." The fib comes easily.

Sirius visibly relaxes. "Oh. Ron's birthday's not until April though."

"Yes," Harry's brain scrambles for an explanation. "But you know how Mrs. Weasley is. Always trying to stay ahead. She's already starting to plan the menu. Fretting between bacon sandwiches or chicken legs for the main course."

Sirius shakes his head, a genuine smile starting to form on his face. "Well you know my vote is always for chicken legs. Assuming I'm invited of course."

"You know you're always invited. Mrs. Weasley always wants an opportunity to make sure you're feeding me properly," Harry rolls his eyes. "And Ron thinks you're pretty cool too. Even though you broke his leg."

Sirius gives him a mock scowl. "Hey now! I wasn't in my right mind that night. And I gave him an owl to make up for it! Even though I was probably doing myself more of a favor than him. That damned owl was driving me mad."

Harry giggles, and Sirius' smile grows wider at the sound. He lets out a dramatic sigh and leans over to ruffle Harry's hair, ignoring the sounds of protest that come in response to the action.

"Alright then, love. I'm off to bed. Shout if you need anything, and I'll be here in faster than you can say chicken legs. You hear me?"

Harry nods. "Yes sir."

Sirius scowls for real this time. "None of that now, remember?"

Harry nods again, this time rather sheepishly. Sirius bends over to kiss his forehead before heading out of the bedroom, shouting a "Good night!" over his shoulder before he closes the door behind him.

Harry sighs in relief, pulls the present out from underneath the comforter, tears open Mrs. Weasley's letter, and gets back to work.

The morning of the 25th is bright and cold.

Harry is a ball of nerves as the breakfast plates get cleared away and the two of them prepare to go to the sitting room to open presents. Padfoot had barged into Harry's room at half past seven, barking loudly and leaping onto the bed, nearly giving Harry a heart attack in the process. He'd only finished Sirius' present in the wee hours of the morning and had barely managed to shove it into his desk drawer before he'd fallen asleep.

Sirius had dragged Harry into the kitchen for special Christmas chocolate chip pancakes and hot chocolate but had only allowed Harry to start eating once he agreed to don a ridiculously oversized Santa hat that matched the one Sirius had on his own head.

"If I'd known you liked Christmas so much, I'd have taken you to the Muggle mall to get a picture with Santa," Harry grumbles only half-heartedly as he watches the milk heat up on the hob. Sirius was adamant about making hot chocolate the old-fashioned way.

Sirius laughs loudly and hooks his arm around Harry's neck, pulling him close and planting a kiss on his forehead with a loud smack. "It's our first Christmas together, kiddo! First of many. You can get past your anti-morning attitude for that, can't you?"

"I gueeeeeeees," Harry mock-whines, drawing out the word as he adds the chopped chocolate to the steaming milk. He's secretly pleased that Sirius seems to somewhat enjoy his company. It shows he's not such a terrible charge.

"Thank you for your sacrifice," Sirius states dramatically. He gives Harry one last squeeze before releasing him. "Now come on, let's get to presents. I call going first!" He darts off to the sitting room where, overnight, a large pile of presents has piled in front of the eight-foot tall tree Sirius had dragged home one afternoon (with lots of swearing).

Harry gulps nervously as he pours hot chocolate into two mugs and tops them both with a handful of marshmallows. His hands are slightly shaking as he brings them both to the sitting room. Sirius is poking around the heap of gifts as he enters the room, and Harry spots the hastily wrapped, lumpy package he completed only a few hours ago.

Please like it, please like it, please like it, he silently begs as he sets the mugs on the coffee table. The sight of the gift is almost nauseating, and he keeps his eyes fixed on the hot chocolate.

Sirius turns at the sound to spot Harry and grins. "Alrighty, kiddo, what do you want to unwrap first? I did go a bit overboard this year, you'll have to forgive me. But there's plenty here from your friends!" He's practically vibrating with excitement.

Harry straightens his back and clears his throat. "Actually, do you mind if you do the opening first?"

Sirius pauses. "Are you sure? I swear mine are quite good."

Harry nods vigorously. "Yes. You can start with mine. It's right on top. The green wrapping." Let's just get this over with, he thinks.

Sirius picks up the package and shakes it gently. It makes no noise, and Harry can't help but let out a chuckle despite the knots in his stomach. Sirius grins at him and begins to carefully unwrap the gift.

Harry's legs suddenly feel like treacle tart filling. He lowers himself onto the couch so he doesn't pass out.

The wrapper paper gently falls to the ground, revealing a mound of knit material. Sirius unravels the pile to reveal a rather lumpy, oversized navy blue sweater with a slightly misshapen black dog woven onto the front.

Sirius doesn't say anything.

Harry's heart drops to his stomach. He opens his mouth, desperate to explain away the situation. "It's uh... it's... erm... it's a sweater? I made it?" As if that wasn't fucking obvious, he internally snarls at himself. He shakes his head, trying to organize his thoughts. "Yes, I, um, I made it. That's uh... that's Padfoot. On the front of it. I knitted it."

Sirius doesn't say anything.

Harry's words start coming out faster and faster, hoping something comes out that remedies this clusterfuck of an event. "Mrs. Weasley helped me. She sent me instructions. And the patterns? That 's why she was sending me so many letters. I didn't know how to do it. They aren't throwing a party for Ron."

Sirius still doesn't say anything.

Oh fuck! Harry thinks wildly. He's probably livid I lied. Oh fuck fuck fuck. "I'm sorry I lied to you! I just wanted it to be a surprise," he manages to get out. "That's why I was ordering so much through owl post. I had to get the yarn and the needles. And I kept having to order more yarn because I kept getting frustrated and messing up a lot. I didn't want you to know. Until now, that is. Obviously."

Sirius. Still. Doesn't. Say. Anything.

Harry wants to crawl into a hole and die. But for some stupid, idiotic reason, he keeps speaking. "I wasn't sure if you'd like the color? I actually realized that I don't know what your favorite color is. But whenever Mrs. Weasley makes one for me or for the Weasley kids, she usually does our favorite color. Or house colors. But I figured you have lots of things in Gryffindor colors? Like your wand holster. And then I noticed that you wear a lot of navy. So I thought that might be nice."

If Sirius doesn't say anything, Harry just might call the Knight Bus so he can step in front of it. He decides to get everything off of his chest before he has to do so.

"Mrs... uh... Mrs. Weasley made me one," he explains softly. "My first year. And every year after that. It means a lot to me. I think it was probably the first gift I ever got. And it kind of made me feel like part of their family? A little bit at least. So... so I wanted to give you one. Not from her, of course. But from me. So you could feel like a part of... our family?" His sentence embarrassingly ends like a question, so he hastily tacks on, "If you want to, of course."

Sirius finally moves, and Harry shuts his mouth. He gently sets the sweater down on the armchair next to him, walks over to where Harry is sitting, and pulls him up into the tightest, fiercest hug Harry has ever experienced.

Neither say anything for a few moments. Until Harry can't deal with not being able to breathe and squeaks out, "Uh? Sirius? I can't really inhale."

Sirius releases him quickly and takes a step back. "Sorry."

Harry feels awkward again. He clears his throat, hoping to fill the silence with something. "I hope you like it. But I know it's not done very well. So I can take it apart if you'd rather that. The shop said they'd take the yarn back as long as it wasn't too worn."

Sirius' head snaps up. "What? Harry, my love, I don't not like it. I love it."

Harry's mouth goes dry. "What?"

Sirius gives him a small smile. His eyes look suspiciously glassy. "Harry. You made this for me. You made this for me! It's my favorite color, and it's got me on it! Of course I love it. Not just because you took the time and the effort to make something for me. Because, my goodness, how do you even start with something like this? It must have taken you ages. But also because, well, you said it yourself. I mean, I already felt like part of the same family with the whole adoption bit and knowing you since you were a baby and whatnot, but it's always nice to know you feel the same. And I'm so honored to be a part of your family. Always will be. You have to know that, alright?" Sirius presses their foreheads together. "Alright?"

Harry nods, feeling a little something catch in his throat. He nods.

"Thank you for my gift," Sirius says softly. "I love it. No talk about talking it apart. I'll be proper mad if you do, you hear me?"

Harry nods again. Sirius releases him. He grabs the sweater from the armchair and pulls it over his head. The hem is uneven and the dog looks more like a cat once the sweater settles on his body, but Sirius only looks down at it and grins.

"Now come on, it's your turn to open presents. I don't think any of mine are as good as a handmade sweater, but I hope you like them anyway. And that's got me thinking, we ought to do a Christmas card no? Especially now that I've got a nice sweater on. Mrs. Weasley might tear up at the sight of a photo of the two us. Come on, come on, pick a present."

Harry rolls his eyes without any real heat behind the action. And he doesn't say anything later when he feels a burst of pride when he sees the photo they take in front of the Christmas tree that afternoon, Sirius wearing the sweater with the biggest, proudest smile Harry has ever seen.

He just bottles the feeling and hopes to remember it forever.

if i have already reblogged this idc

It was a funny twisty sort of feeling in the pit of his stomach and Harry wasn't exactly sure he had felt it before. An entirely new sense of dread or anxiety or both was churning around his insides alongside his breakfast as soon as the post arrived and went straight to Harry.

He knew what they were before he could open the post. Middle of July, Harry wasn't expecting anything else.

Ministry owl.

Ministry envelope.

OWL results.

Sirius pretended to make himself busy, fixing another cup of tea, wiping the kitchen counter, while Harry sat with the envelope in his hands trying to pretend he was totally cool and totally confident.

Because it didn't matter, right? Two years ago, Harry would've said it didn't matter, loudly and boldly and he would've been right. But so much had changed and now Harry had a home, with wallpaper and bookends and a godfather who had a conversation with him at the beginning of summer about study habits.

You're way behind, kid, and it's not your fault. But you know, maybe now since Voldemort isn't...breathing down your neck and you're not living with a sense of impending doom, we can think about school?

Harry had groaned initially. And had moaned even louder when after a failed History of Magic exam beginning of term, Sirius called him on the mirror to let him know he'd be keeping a closer eye on his marks and Harry had to endure a long "conversation" about actually doing his assignments and not just skating by on his good looks.

"It's not going to bite you, Harry," Sirius said from where he was leaning against the counter, cup of tea in his hands, "Nor is it going to open itself."

"Feels like it should."

"Like a Howler?" Sirius asked a half-smile pulling at the corners of his mouth.

"Mhmm. Just shout them at us too," Harry told him and took a breath before breaking the seal of the envelope and opening the post. He scanned the results slowly, caught somewhere between feeling pleased and feeling disappointed. What was Sirius expecting?

"Well?"

Harry wordlessly stood up and crossed to Sirius, handing him the results. He shifted from foot to foot, watching as Sirius read the paper.

It didn't matter. Except now it did.

It didn't matter. Except when Harry came home for the winter holidays and got to tell Sirius how well he did on the Transfiguration midterm. Because his godfather would say I'm so proud of you and Harry got to choose where they went to dinner.

It didn't matter. Except now, because Harry finally had an adult who actually cared how well he did in school. Who cared if he was learning. Who cared if he understood magic and could use it to protect himself. Who cared at all.

"Can you say something?" Harry asked, suddenly irritated though he was looking down at their bare feet. Sirius had the hairiest feet Harry had ever seen, and a big toe twice the size of his others. Harry made fun of him for it when they went to the seaside.

They're flippers Sirius. I think your ancestors forgot to follow through and gave you the ugliest feet in the world...

Harry felt Sirius's hand gently lift his chin up so he could meet his godfather's eyes.

"Well done, my love."

"But there's an A!" Harry nearly whined, unable to stop himself. "How is that good"

"Did you try? Did...you do the very best you could in History of Magic? In all your classes?"

"Well, yeah."

Late nights.

Revision guides.

Actually reading the textbooks.

"Then well done, my love," Sirius repeated and the twisting feeling in his stomach shifted into something that glowed. Warm. Shining. Bright. He watched as Sirius waved his wand to stick the OWL results to the fridge, and grabbed a quill from the counter to doodle tiny hearts around the margins. Harry laughed. Harry rolled his eyes. But Harry couldn't help but stare at the scores for a bit longer.

Well done.

I love the good godfather sirius black thingie!!!

GGSB Fest 2024 - Perfect First Day

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt - First Day of School

Sirius isn't ready for Harry's first day of primary school, but it turns out it's perfect.

AO3

***

Despite the fact that Sirius had gotten to spend the last few years as a stay-at-home parent and knew that this time was coming, he’s still sad even as he packs Harry’s bag for his first day of school.  They had gone shopping the day before to make sure he had all of his school supplies.  He’d picked out a nice outfit for the first, and once he’s packed, it’ll be time to tuck Harry in and before he knows it – they’ll be at the school… for Harry’s first day.

“Pads?” the small voice of his godson says from the top of the stairs.  

“I’ll be up in a minute to help tuck you in, just change into your pajamas.”

“Okay!”

It only takes a few more minutes before he steels himself and goes upstairs.  Tonight was the last night before everything would begin to change.

“Ready for bed, kiddo?” Sirius asks, a smile – only slightly forced – on his face.  He has no idea what he’s going to do without his kid for hours every day.  

“Yeah!” Harry cheers.

“What kind of bedtime story are you looking for tonight?” Sirius questions.

“Will you tell me about your first day of school?” 

Sirius let's out a little laugh as he sits beside Harry’s bed.  “Well, your dad and I didn’t go to primary school – only Hogwarts, and I’ve told you about meeting your mum and dad on the train ride to school, but your mum did go to primary school.”

“Will you tell me about her first day, then?”

Sirius hums.  “Well, she always liked to say that she met her best muggle friend on the first of school.  She had sat in the wrong seat and another classmate of hers had said that it was her seat – they were arguing as much as five-year-olds can argue and it turns out her name was Lila and with your mum’s name as Lily – they were so close it was easily mistaken.  The teacher thought they should separate the girls, but they became friends instead.”

Harry’s looking at him like that wasn’t much of story – which makes sense, his own story about meeting on the train and James pulling an imaginary sword had been far more entertaining.  

“Do you think I’ll make a friend like mum did?” Harry asks, eyes wide like he’s worried about that.

Sirius smiles softly at him.  “I’m sure you will, but not if you’re grouchy from lack of sleep.  So, get some sleep – big day tomorrow.”

Harry pouts a bit before he yawns.  “Night, Pads.”

“Night, kid.”

***

In the morning, Sirius packs Harry’s lunch before helping him with his backpack and taking him by the hand to walk him to the school down the street.  His kid is happily chattering on and on about what school might be like and not at all noticing that Sirius isn’t nearly as ready for this as he pretends to be.  

He knows that this is what Lily (and James) would’ve wanted, but after so long of never being away from one another, Sirius can’t help freaking out a bit.  

He’s just not ready for this – Harry’s not ready for this – maybe … maybe it would be better to hold him back a year … or homeschool him…

But they reach the school before Sirius knows it and he’s … disappointed.

He’s not ready for this.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t matter as they enter the school and Harry happily finds his classroom rather quickly for his age.  The teacher greets Harry and says, “Mr. Potter, please go ahead and help Harry find his desk – you can stay until class starts.”

“Thank you,” Sirius says.  He doesn’t correct her.  James’ parents had practically adopted him, and he hates the Black name, so when they moved, he simply decided to go by Potter, made things easier. 

He helps Harry find his desk next to a little boy, whose name plate reads Dean Thomas, and he smiles at the mother beside him.  

“Look Dean, here’s your deskmate,” the mother says.  “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

The little boy – Dean – smiles and introduces himself, and Harry smiles and does the same after a quick nod from Sirius.  

Then, in his excitement once Dean shows him what he’d been drawing, Harry turns to him and says, “Look, Paddy, I made a friend.”

Sirius barely stifles his laugh as he says, “You sure did.”

Before anything else could be said, the teacher calls for last goodbyes and he hugs Harry tight, like he doesn’t want to let him go, and barely contains his desire to cry.  Another parent – not Dean’s mother – says, “Don’t worry, the day will go by faster than you think.”

Sirius nods, and let's go, telling Harry to be good and learn lots before following the other parents outside the classroom.  The one that had spoken to him, introduces himself as Holly’s father, and says, “First one?”

“And only,” Sirius says.  “He’s technically my godson/nephew.  I won’t have kids of my own, but I’ve been raising him since we lost his parents.  I was a stay-at-home parent and now… well, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Holly’s father gives him a small smile as they leave with Dean’s mother.  “Well, I’ve got a small shop that works on motor vehicles.  You know anything about that?”

Sirius grins.  “I built my motorbike from scratch.  I love motor vehicles.”

“Maybe we could go out to eat and talk about it?”

“I’d like that.”  

“Then, let’s go.”

***

Sirius could admit that he rather liked Holly’s father and Dean’s mother (who had come along as well, purely because she also expressed an interest).  Their outing had helped pass the day (which did go quickly) before they arrived to pick up their kids.  

As soon as he sees Sirius, Harry takes off at a run and straight into a waiting Sirius’ arms.  He’s already babbling about his day and his new friends Holly and Dean.  

“I made new friends, too,” Sirius teases, gesturing at Holly’s father and Dean’s mother.  The adults laugh, but Harry cheers and it’s wonderful.  

Holly’s father claps him on the shoulder and Dean’s mother smiles.  “I’ll see you both tomorrow?”

“We’ll be here.”

“Good.”

With that, they all wave goodbye and start to head home.  

Harry reiterates his entire day all happy and excited and honestly, there’s nothing better than this. 

He’s so thrilled that it’s all worked out – they’re both happy and they’re off to brighter future. 

The perfect first day of school.

GGSB Fest 2024 - Perfect First Day

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Prompt - First Day of School

Sirius isn't ready for Harry's first day of primary school, but it turns out it's perfect.

AO3

***

Despite the fact that Sirius had gotten to spend the last few years as a stay-at-home parent and knew that this time was coming, he’s still sad even as he packs Harry’s bag for his first day of school.  They had gone shopping the day before to make sure he had all of his school supplies.  He’d picked out a nice outfit for the first, and once he’s packed, it’ll be time to tuck Harry in and before he knows it – they’ll be at the school… for Harry’s first day.

“Pads?” the small voice of his godson says from the top of the stairs.  

“I’ll be up in a minute to help tuck you in, just change into your pajamas.”

“Okay!”

It only takes a few more minutes before he steels himself and goes upstairs.  Tonight was the last night before everything would begin to change.

“Ready for bed, kiddo?” Sirius asks, a smile – only slightly forced – on his face.  He has no idea what he’s going to do without his kid for hours every day.  

“Yeah!” Harry cheers.

“What kind of bedtime story are you looking for tonight?” Sirius questions.

“Will you tell me about your first day of school?” 

Sirius let's out a little laugh as he sits beside Harry’s bed.  “Well, your dad and I didn’t go to primary school – only Hogwarts, and I’ve told you about meeting your mum and dad on the train ride to school, but your mum did go to primary school.”

“Will you tell me about her first day, then?”

Sirius hums.  “Well, she always liked to say that she met her best muggle friend on the first of school.  She had sat in the wrong seat and another classmate of hers had said that it was her seat – they were arguing as much as five-year-olds can argue and it turns out her name was Lila and with your mum’s name as Lily – they were so close it was easily mistaken.  The teacher thought they should separate the girls, but they became friends instead.”

Harry’s looking at him like that wasn’t much of story – which makes sense, his own story about meeting on the train and James pulling an imaginary sword had been far more entertaining.  

“Do you think I’ll make a friend like mum did?” Harry asks, eyes wide like he’s worried about that.

Sirius smiles softly at him.  “I’m sure you will, but not if you’re grouchy from lack of sleep.  So, get some sleep – big day tomorrow.”

Harry pouts a bit before he yawns.  “Night, Pads.”

“Night, kid.”

***

In the morning, Sirius packs Harry’s lunch before helping him with his backpack and taking him by the hand to walk him to the school down the street.  His kid is happily chattering on and on about what school might be like and not at all noticing that Sirius isn’t nearly as ready for this as he pretends to be.  

He knows that this is what Lily (and James) would’ve wanted, but after so long of never being away from one another, Sirius can’t help freaking out a bit.  

He’s just not ready for this – Harry’s not ready for this – maybe … maybe it would be better to hold him back a year … or homeschool him…

But they reach the school before Sirius knows it and he’s … disappointed.

He’s not ready for this.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t matter as they enter the school and Harry happily finds his classroom rather quickly for his age.  The teacher greets Harry and says, “Mr. Potter, please go ahead and help Harry find his desk – you can stay until class starts.”

“Thank you,” Sirius says.  He doesn’t correct her.  James’ parents had practically adopted him, and he hates the Black name, so when they moved, he simply decided to go by Potter, made things easier. 

He helps Harry find his desk next to a little boy, whose name plate reads Dean Thomas, and he smiles at the mother beside him.  

“Look Dean, here’s your deskmate,” the mother says.  “Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

The little boy – Dean – smiles and introduces himself, and Harry smiles and does the same after a quick nod from Sirius.  

Then, in his excitement once Dean shows him what he’d been drawing, Harry turns to him and says, “Look, Paddy, I made a friend.”

Sirius barely stifles his laugh as he says, “You sure did.”

Before anything else could be said, the teacher calls for last goodbyes and he hugs Harry tight, like he doesn’t want to let him go, and barely contains his desire to cry.  Another parent – not Dean’s mother – says, “Don’t worry, the day will go by faster than you think.”

Sirius nods, and let's go, telling Harry to be good and learn lots before following the other parents outside the classroom.  The one that had spoken to him, introduces himself as Holly’s father, and says, “First one?”

“And only,” Sirius says.  “He’s technically my godson/nephew.  I won’t have kids of my own, but I’ve been raising him since we lost his parents.  I was a stay-at-home parent and now… well, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Holly’s father gives him a small smile as they leave with Dean’s mother.  “Well, I’ve got a small shop that works on motor vehicles.  You know anything about that?”

Sirius grins.  “I built my motorbike from scratch.  I love motor vehicles.”

“Maybe we could go out to eat and talk about it?”

“I’d like that.”  

“Then, let’s go.”

***

Sirius could admit that he rather liked Holly’s father and Dean’s mother (who had come along as well, purely because she also expressed an interest).  Their outing had helped pass the day (which did go quickly) before they arrived to pick up their kids.  

As soon as he sees Sirius, Harry takes off at a run and straight into a waiting Sirius’ arms.  He’s already babbling about his day and his new friends Holly and Dean.  

“I made new friends, too,” Sirius teases, gesturing at Holly’s father and Dean’s mother.  The adults laugh, but Harry cheers and it’s wonderful.  

Holly’s father claps him on the shoulder and Dean’s mother smiles.  “I’ll see you both tomorrow?”

“We’ll be here.”

“Good.”

With that, they all wave goodbye and start to head home.  

Harry reiterates his entire day all happy and excited and honestly, there’s nothing better than this. 

He’s so thrilled that it’s all worked out – they’re both happy and they’re off to brighter future. 

The perfect first day of school.

Harry Potter the Casanova of Gryffindor Tower.... Sounds great to me! What do u think?

GGSB Fest 2024 - A Changed Ball

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

After the first task, Sirius reaches out to Harry to offer dating advice for the Yule Ball, which changes things.

AO3

***

Given that the first task is finally over, and Harry survived, Sirius can breathe a little sigh of relief.  At least one task down, and the fact that he did so well makes Sirius incredibly proud.  Next on the order of business for Harry is probably the Yule Ball.  Since he’s a champion he’s probably going to have to open it, and it may be a bit presumptuous, but Sirius couldn’t resist offering dating advice to his godson.  He figures he’s young and he doubts the Dursleys would bother to offer much guidance.  

Hopefully, Harry doesn’t really need too much, but Sirius had to offer just in case.

Sirius smiles when he gets another owl so quickly, Harry writing to him will always make his day.

Sirius,

What do you mean there’s a ball for Yule?  What do you mean that I have to open the ball?  

No, no – they can’t really expect that from me, right?

You’re pulling my leg, right?  Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.

If not, I need help.

Say hi to Buckbeak.

Harry

Sirius is stunned for half a second.  How had Harry not known about this?  Then, again, no one appears to tell the kid anything.  

Alright, well, at least Sirius was right to offer.  He’ll just have to meet with his kid on his own and give some concrete advice.  

Everything will be okay.  He’s sure of it.

***

“I still don’t get how they could expect this of me,” Harry groans as he sits on the floor of the cave beside Sirius.  “I mean – dragons are one thing, but girls?”

Sirius laughs.  “They’re not as scary as you think.”

“They travel in packs, and they giggle like … like my mere presence is hilarious.”

“They’re giggling because one or more of them have a fancy of you – hard not to given everything, and they travel together because … well, I never really understood that.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Harry questions, seeming quite freaked out.  “You were right, McGonagall says I have to open the ball with a date, and it’s only been like a day and a half, and every girl has gone nutty and I don’t know how to dance and I don’t want to go on a date… this is – this is unfair.”

“And the whole dragon thing wasn’t unfair?”

“The dragon thing was actually kind of fun.”

Sirius snorts and rolls his eyes.  “Alright, let’s start with the basics.  First, you have to select who you’re thinking of asking.  I would suggest someone you either fancy and want to get to know – but know there will be awkwardness and you’ll have to push passed that or a friend that you could potentially enjoy an evening with.  You could perhaps go with a friend that is someone you may possibly fancy or go with a friend that is someone who would only be a friend, but you’d have to be clear about that.  Do you have any ideas?”

He watches as Harry digests this information and says, “Well, I could go with Hermione if I wanted just a friend, but I think that would upset Ron and frankly, be unfair to her.  I’d really like to go with Cho Chang – I kind of, maybe, have a fancy of her, but all I know about her is that we’re both seekers.  I suppose another friend could be like Parvati Patil or maybe Katie Bell.  I’ve talked to both enough that maybe it could be… a friend date.”

Sirius nods.  “Okay, let’s leave Hermione out of it.  We wouldn’t want to disrupt your friendship with Ron again so soon.”

“Agreed.”

“That leaves Cho, Parvati, and Katie.  Now, this is where you have to make a decision – do you want someone that you barely know, but fancy or you know, but don’t fancy?”

Harry shrugs.  “I mean – it would be nice to get to know Cho better.”

“Okay, that’s fair.  You’ll have the dinner and dancing to get to know her, if you ask her,” Sirius states.  “Now, before asking, you should make it clear that you’re not that into dancing, but if you ask any of them to go, you should expect to dance more than just the opening dance.”

He groans.  “It’s bad enough having to do it once.”

Sirius nods.  “Yes, but you’re going to a ball.  It’s expected that you dance.  If you don’t want to dance too much, you should make that clear so that they don’t expect to be dancing all night and are disappointed.”

“Okay, but what if I tell them and they say no?”

“Then you have to accept no for an answer and find someone else who would be willing to support you.”

Harry nods.  “I suppose that I should try and learn dancing then?”

“That would be a good endeavor.  I’d suggest asking someone you’re comfortable with to practice or your date would be better, but it could be embarrassing admitting that, so you could always Hermione or one of the quidditch girls who would no doubt love to help you.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Harry states.  “What about the actual asking?  If they’re traveling in packs…”

Sirius laughs.  “They may giggle, but simply ask for a moment alone and once you’re alone, tell them either – that you’d like a romantic date to the ball or a friend date to the ball – depending on who you ask.  Explain about the dancing to help them make a decision, and once they do – if it’s yes, ask them to meet up to practice dancing or if it’s no, accept their answers and move on.  Just be sweet and polite and you’ll be okay.”

“That sounds easier than it’s probably going to be.”

“It’s usually not that bad, I promise.  Maybe a little embarrassing, but the sooner you do it, the better,” Sirius assures him.  “Then you can focus on the actual date.”

Harry grimaces.  “Besides dancing, what would be expected?”

“Well, you should meet her at her common room probably with a nice flower – try asking her favorite or finding one that matches her dress robes.”  

Harry nods.  “Sounds easy.”

“You should offer your arm, and smile as you lead the way into the ball and take out her seat first before you sit.  At dinner, make sure you talk to her about her interests.  Start with something you have in common and let the conversation flow.  If it stalls, try to ask about things that are around you – the food, the music, the dancing, the people… anything that can spark something.  Remind her about being uncomfortable with too much dancing, but that you’ll make an effort.”

“Okay, okay.  Seems like genuinely good advice so far,” Harry says.  “Then, of course, the dancing.  I suppose if we practice before it might not be so bad.”

“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you’re imagining,” Sirius assures him.  “Make sure to still pay attention to her as you dance, and if need be, make light conversation.  If you’re done dancing or taking a break, try finding a quiet area to continue chatting from dinner.  Don’t ignore her and even if it ends up being Parvati or Katie rather than who you fancy, remember that you can’t just glare at your fancy’s date – just focus on your own date.”

“Yeah, that – that wouldn’t be fair to her if I was staring at some other girl.”

“Exactly.  The focus should be on making sure that you’re both having a good time.”

“Okay.  Okay.  What about at the end?”

“Walk her back to her dorm, tell her you had a great time – if you fancy her (and this could go for if the date started as a friend, but you find you do like her) – then ask her to have another date.  This could be something simple and we can talk about that when the time comes in a letter.  Just maybe vaguely ask if she’d like to go out again.  If she says yes, tell her that you’ll let her know a time and place, if she says no – respect it and thank her for being your date and that you hope she enjoyed it.”

“And… then leave?”

Sirius tries not to laugh.  “Well, she might expect a kiss on the hand, the cheek or even the lips.  It all depends on the vibe, just go with your instincts on that one.”

Harry swallows, but nods.  “I guess.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Sirius attempts to assure him.  “Just take it one step at a time.  You’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am, I promise.”

***

A few weeks later, Sirius knows that Harry’s managed to ask Cho to the ball.  He’s nervous, but he’s been preparing for the ball, and Sirius has assured him that it should be just fine.  He just needs to relax and not worry so much.  

He also told him to write to him afterwards no matter the outcome.  He wants to know how well his advice went over.

He grins when the owl arrives.

Sirius,

Thank you – thank you – thank you!  Your advice was perfect.  

Cho and I had a great date.  We practically danced the night away!  Okay, maybe not.  She was okay with only dancing half the time, but we went for a walk and – and it went so great that she kissed me before the end of the night!  

There was plenty of kissing before a final dance and walking her back to the dorm.  It went so well she said yes to a second date.  

So, now, I need advice on that.  Got any ideas?

Thanks again,

Harry

Sirius grins, happy for his kid.  He’s happy to offer more dating advice as long as his kid needs it.  

He’ll certainly be a ladies’ man after this.

Just like his father and godfather and it’s great.  

GGSB Fest 2024 - A Changed Ball

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

After the first task, Sirius reaches out to Harry to offer dating advice for the Yule Ball, which changes things.

AO3

***

Given that the first task is finally over, and Harry survived, Sirius can breathe a little sigh of relief.  At least one task down, and the fact that he did so well makes Sirius incredibly proud.  Next on the order of business for Harry is probably the Yule Ball.  Since he’s a champion he’s probably going to have to open it, and it may be a bit presumptuous, but Sirius couldn’t resist offering dating advice to his godson.  He figures he’s young and he doubts the Dursleys would bother to offer much guidance.  

Hopefully, Harry doesn’t really need too much, but Sirius had to offer just in case.

Sirius smiles when he gets another owl so quickly, Harry writing to him will always make his day.

Sirius,

What do you mean there’s a ball for Yule?  What do you mean that I have to open the ball?  

No, no – they can’t really expect that from me, right?

You’re pulling my leg, right?  Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.

If not, I need help.

Say hi to Buckbeak.

Harry

Sirius is stunned for half a second.  How had Harry not known about this?  Then, again, no one appears to tell the kid anything.  

Alright, well, at least Sirius was right to offer.  He’ll just have to meet with his kid on his own and give some concrete advice.  

Everything will be okay.  He’s sure of it.

***

“I still don’t get how they could expect this of me,” Harry groans as he sits on the floor of the cave beside Sirius.  “I mean – dragons are one thing, but girls?”

Sirius laughs.  “They’re not as scary as you think.”

“They travel in packs, and they giggle like … like my mere presence is hilarious.”

“They’re giggling because one or more of them have a fancy of you – hard not to given everything, and they travel together because … well, I never really understood that.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Harry questions, seeming quite freaked out.  “You were right, McGonagall says I have to open the ball with a date, and it’s only been like a day and a half, and every girl has gone nutty and I don’t know how to dance and I don’t want to go on a date… this is – this is unfair.”

“And the whole dragon thing wasn’t unfair?”

“The dragon thing was actually kind of fun.”

Sirius snorts and rolls his eyes.  “Alright, let’s start with the basics.  First, you have to select who you’re thinking of asking.  I would suggest someone you either fancy and want to get to know – but know there will be awkwardness and you’ll have to push passed that or a friend that you could potentially enjoy an evening with.  You could perhaps go with a friend that is someone you may possibly fancy or go with a friend that is someone who would only be a friend, but you’d have to be clear about that.  Do you have any ideas?”

He watches as Harry digests this information and says, “Well, I could go with Hermione if I wanted just a friend, but I think that would upset Ron and frankly, be unfair to her.  I’d really like to go with Cho Chang – I kind of, maybe, have a fancy of her, but all I know about her is that we’re both seekers.  I suppose another friend could be like Parvati Patil or maybe Katie Bell.  I’ve talked to both enough that maybe it could be… a friend date.”

Sirius nods.  “Okay, let’s leave Hermione out of it.  We wouldn’t want to disrupt your friendship with Ron again so soon.”

“Agreed.”

“That leaves Cho, Parvati, and Katie.  Now, this is where you have to make a decision – do you want someone that you barely know, but fancy or you know, but don’t fancy?”

Harry shrugs.  “I mean – it would be nice to get to know Cho better.”

“Okay, that’s fair.  You’ll have the dinner and dancing to get to know her, if you ask her,” Sirius states.  “Now, before asking, you should make it clear that you’re not that into dancing, but if you ask any of them to go, you should expect to dance more than just the opening dance.”

He groans.  “It’s bad enough having to do it once.”

Sirius nods.  “Yes, but you’re going to a ball.  It’s expected that you dance.  If you don’t want to dance too much, you should make that clear so that they don’t expect to be dancing all night and are disappointed.”

“Okay, but what if I tell them and they say no?”

“Then you have to accept no for an answer and find someone else who would be willing to support you.”

Harry nods.  “I suppose that I should try and learn dancing then?”

“That would be a good endeavor.  I’d suggest asking someone you’re comfortable with to practice or your date would be better, but it could be embarrassing admitting that, so you could always Hermione or one of the quidditch girls who would no doubt love to help you.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” Harry states.  “What about the actual asking?  If they’re traveling in packs…”

Sirius laughs.  “They may giggle, but simply ask for a moment alone and once you’re alone, tell them either – that you’d like a romantic date to the ball or a friend date to the ball – depending on who you ask.  Explain about the dancing to help them make a decision, and once they do – if it’s yes, ask them to meet up to practice dancing or if it’s no, accept their answers and move on.  Just be sweet and polite and you’ll be okay.”

“That sounds easier than it’s probably going to be.”

“It’s usually not that bad, I promise.  Maybe a little embarrassing, but the sooner you do it, the better,” Sirius assures him.  “Then you can focus on the actual date.”

Harry grimaces.  “Besides dancing, what would be expected?”

“Well, you should meet her at her common room probably with a nice flower – try asking her favorite or finding one that matches her dress robes.”  

Harry nods.  “Sounds easy.”

“You should offer your arm, and smile as you lead the way into the ball and take out her seat first before you sit.  At dinner, make sure you talk to her about her interests.  Start with something you have in common and let the conversation flow.  If it stalls, try to ask about things that are around you – the food, the music, the dancing, the people… anything that can spark something.  Remind her about being uncomfortable with too much dancing, but that you’ll make an effort.”

“Okay, okay.  Seems like genuinely good advice so far,” Harry says.  “Then, of course, the dancing.  I suppose if we practice before it might not be so bad.”

“I’m sure it won’t be as bad as you’re imagining,” Sirius assures him.  “Make sure to still pay attention to her as you dance, and if need be, make light conversation.  If you’re done dancing or taking a break, try finding a quiet area to continue chatting from dinner.  Don’t ignore her and even if it ends up being Parvati or Katie rather than who you fancy, remember that you can’t just glare at your fancy’s date – just focus on your own date.”

“Yeah, that – that wouldn’t be fair to her if I was staring at some other girl.”

“Exactly.  The focus should be on making sure that you’re both having a good time.”

“Okay.  Okay.  What about at the end?”

“Walk her back to her dorm, tell her you had a great time – if you fancy her (and this could go for if the date started as a friend, but you find you do like her) – then ask her to have another date.  This could be something simple and we can talk about that when the time comes in a letter.  Just maybe vaguely ask if she’d like to go out again.  If she says yes, tell her that you’ll let her know a time and place, if she says no – respect it and thank her for being your date and that you hope she enjoyed it.”

“And… then leave?”

Sirius tries not to laugh.  “Well, she might expect a kiss on the hand, the cheek or even the lips.  It all depends on the vibe, just go with your instincts on that one.”

Harry swallows, but nods.  “I guess.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds,” Sirius attempts to assure him.  “Just take it one step at a time.  You’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am, I promise.”

***

A few weeks later, Sirius knows that Harry’s managed to ask Cho to the ball.  He’s nervous, but he’s been preparing for the ball, and Sirius has assured him that it should be just fine.  He just needs to relax and not worry so much.  

He also told him to write to him afterwards no matter the outcome.  He wants to know how well his advice went over.

He grins when the owl arrives.

Sirius,

Thank you – thank you – thank you!  Your advice was perfect.  

Cho and I had a great date.  We practically danced the night away!  Okay, maybe not.  She was okay with only dancing half the time, but we went for a walk and – and it went so great that she kissed me before the end of the night!  

There was plenty of kissing before a final dance and walking her back to the dorm.  It went so well she said yes to a second date.  

So, now, I need advice on that.  Got any ideas?

Thanks again,

Harry

Sirius grins, happy for his kid.  He’s happy to offer more dating advice as long as his kid needs it.  

He’ll certainly be a ladies’ man after this.

Just like his father and godfather and it’s great.  

i love this i love this i love this i love

GGSB Fest 2024 - Finding Your Inner Animal

@goodgodfathersiriusblack

Harry wants to be an animagus, Sirius helps him find his inner animal.

AO3

***

Sirius could admit that he was surprised, even though he knew that he shouldn’t be, that Harry wanted to learn to be Animagus.  He had convinced Harry to at least wait until he was sixteen before attempting to learn the transformation, and after surviving the DOM and offing Voldemort, he had come to Sirius on his sixteenth birthday and said, “I’m sixteen, now will you teach me?”

Which is how they ended up spending the following day sitting across from each other on the floor, the journals that he and James had kept, along with several books on the transformation in Harry’s lap in the most bland room in their new house.

It was bland on purpose. 

It’s meant to allow the person to find the inner peace of their animal through a mediative state, not meant to guide someone one way or another.  

Sirius had given him the journals and books prior to this attempt, and Harry believed he was ready to try.  

Thus, where they are right now.

“Okay, now, to reach the state necessary, you have to completely empty your mind.”

“Sounds like Snape’s horrible lessons.”

“This’ll be better, I’m not going to attack you – I want you to just relax, close your eyes and listen to the sound of my voice.”

“I can do that.”

“Good.”

Sirius begins walking him through his mediation.  It’s not always easy especially for a kid like Harry who has a lot on his mind much of the time, but after a few false starts, it appears that Harry has reached the state necessary.  

“Now, staying completely relaxed.  Think about what makes you happy, what traits define you, what calls to you…”

Harry hums but doesn’t speak.  

Sirius continues to guide him through what defines him.  The things that his inner animal would call out to.

“Tell me where you are.”

“A clearing.  There’s trees and a stream nearby,” Harry states.  “It’s quiet ad calm.”

“And what do you feel around you?”

“Warm air.   The ground beneath me.”

“Good…”

He continues for a few more minutes as Harry begins to describe strange feelings on his arms and legs before he guides Harry to move to the stream to see his animal self. 

“Tell me what you see when you see yourself in the stream.”

“I see – fur all around me.  I have paws and a tail.  I’m … I look like a Samoyed puppy.  Except dark fur and green eyes with white fur where my scars are.”

Sirius can’t help grinning.  He’s thrilled that Harry’s a dog like him.  It feels fitting… even if he expected him to be a stag like his father since his Patronus is a stag, but this is better.  As long as Harry is happy about it.  

“Okay, you can open your eyes now.”

Harry opens his eyes and smiles.  “That was … something.”

“Sure was, what do you think?”

“I think that was brilliant!  I can’t wait to be a dog and run through the park and play fetch and just… be anonymous and loving,” Harry smiles.  “You and I could go on runs together and play together as dogs like how cool is that?”

“Does that mean you’re okay with having a form like mine?”

“Of course I am!” Harry says, smiling.  “I was a little worried about being like Dad, ‘cause Prongs couldn’t hide in plain sight, and I definitely couldn’t do a cat or something because … just no.  I thought I might get something that flies, but I think I prefer flight on a broom.  This – this is … fantastic.”

He pauses as if uncertain. 

“You’re not, like, mad that I’ve stolen your form a bit, are you?”

“Are you kidding?” Sirius asks, surprised.  “I am thrilled – I was worried you’d be disappointed.”

Harry grins and lets out a relieved breath.  “Great!  I’m so happy, then!”

Sirius grins.  “I’m glad finding your inner animal made you so happy.  It’s going to take a while to transform, but now that you know your animal, we can start working on it.”

“Now?” Harry asks, hopefully.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is!”

“Then, now, it is.”

So what country are u from? How old are you?

P.s .: Never have I ever been so happy to find a friend.... Probably cuz we both love that sirius and harry bonding and fluff fics

Gawwwd i... I would love to be friends with u n @snufuffles is that the name sorry i forgot but i love their writing!!!!! N urs too

screaming crying throwing up omg we r friends i deem it official

and @snufluffles has the best, softest harry&sirius content i miss their writing

thank you 💜

A small fic written for day 5 of @goodgodfathersiriusblack fest: first day of school. Also, merry imp-mas for @impishtubist i remember when I was a mere chaos anon on your inbox and now I am proud to call myself your friend. <3

Sirius has promised himself that he would not cry. 

At least not in front of Harry. It’s not a rule for him usually - all the parenting books he devoured when Harry was still a mere baby suggested that it would be healthy for a child’s development to see their parents cry sometimes - but today everything needs to stay fun. The last thing he wants is to make Harry worry for his sake; that boy can be ridiculously sensitive sometimes. 

His resolution starts to crumble the second they are both on the platform nine and three quarters. It is full of people, animals and a lot of noise - Harry grabs his hand out of habit, although he rarely does it in public anymore. Tears are prickling behind Sirius’s eyes, but he blinks them stubbornly away and turns to smile at the little boy. “Are you ready to go?” 

Harry nods but can’t mask the nervousness. Sirius can’t remember if he was frightened before his first train ride. If he was, it didn’t last long, because once he ended up in the same compartment with James, he knew his life was about to turn for the better. 

“You will do great. Just do your best, have fun and remember to write to me at least once a week so I don’t need to apparate all the way to Scotland.” 

He is only half joking with the last one. Harry is shifting from one leg to another, setting his glasses better on his nose, and running his fingers through his hair. Sirius is not sure if he is even listening to what he says, or if he has gotten lost in his thoughts again. 

“Don’t forget to let a niffler loose in Dumbledore’s office, it would make him very happy.” 

“Yeah yeah”, Harry answers absentmindedly and Sirius keeps himself from laughing only barely. He taps the boy’s shoulder to get his attention back, and crouches down to hug him. Harry buries his face on Sirius’s shoulder, his heartbeat pounding like a small animal against Sirius’s own. 

“I love you”, Sirius says quietly. 

“I love you too”, Harry answers. His face is full of determination, as he grips the handle of his trunk and looks towards the bright red locomotive. Sirius kisses him on both cheeks before finally letting his son go. He stays long enough to see the train leaving the station, and only once he is alone in the sunny central London, he starts to sob.

Now @zazima be a dear and pls write the scene where sirius went to hogwarts with the dmle folks too😊

“dear harry,”

read “dear sirius” first

Hey kiddo, relax. I’d be quite the hypocrite if I got mad at you for losing points. Just be careful next time, please. Maybe stick to smuggling items on Filch’s banned list as opposed to fire-breathing, sharp-toothed illegal magical creatures. Also weren’t you wearing the cloak? How’d you get caught?

Does McGonagall still wear that tartan dress robe? If so, please tell her to upgrade her wardrobe to the 90′s.

I cannot wait to see you at the Quidditch match. Is the new broom holding up well? Either way, I know you’re going to smash it!

Love,

Sirius

Dear Harry,

One “Defending Yourself and Others- the Practically Perfect Way” is enclosed, my studious child. You owe me five Sickles by the way- I told you he’d be nuts. And no, I have no desire to learn what that crackpot’s favorite colour is. I’d much rather have one-on-one tutoring with Snape for the rest of my life, which is something I never thought I’d say.

Love,

Sirius

Dear Harry,

Do I need to get you a Remembrall? Slip is attached, although I’m not sure you even need it. Didn’t you memorize all of the secret passageways by the time you were 9? I would like it on the record to that you did that of your own volition; I had nothing to do with it. 

And I don’t know what you’re talking about. Sugar Quills? I don’t touch the stuff. It’s bad for the brain, you see. And my brain needs to be extra sharp in order to keep up with you and your shenanigans.

(Although if you happen to see them, I’m sure the extra-long lasting ones would be excellent. Just to see what they’re like, of course).

Love,

Sirius

Dear Harry,

Not to worry my young worrywart, we will wait to open presents, drink hot chocolate, and make my famous Christmas pancakes until you get home. Father Christmas normally waits for no one, but this year he’ll wait for you- I’ve put in a good word (although I’m tempted to take it back as payback for calling my decor horrid).

Now for the Ball, it’ll probably help to not refer to any possible date as “stupid”. They’re much more likely to say yes that way, you see. Other than that, I suggest asking someone (boy or girl, doesn’t matter who) that you generally get along with and enjoy speaking to. It’ll make your night at least a little less painful. Perhaps one of your Quidditch teammates? Or someone from your classes?

Don’t ask someone only because you think they’re attractive. It may lead to awkward conversation, awkward dancing, and awkward excessive butterbeer consumption that leads to a night spent on the toilet. Not that I’m speaking from experience, of course. But if I was theoretically recounting my experience I would like it to be known that it was not me who ended up on the toilet. It was my theoretical date. 

As for dancing… I’m quite pants at that even with the forced childhood lessons. Maybe ask your date to give you a tutorial? Or at least a practice dance to make sure you don’t muck up the opening.

Also I checked for your dress robes- they’re not here. Are you sure they’re not buried at the bottom of your trunk?

Best of luck, kiddo. Don’t forget to send pictures at the Ball- I’m running low on blackmail material.

Love,

Sirius

Harry-

I’m coming to see you and bringing DMLE folks. Be in Gryffindor common room in half an hour. 

Don’t worry, I’m on my way.

Sirius

P.S. Thank you for telling me. I’m proud of you