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He felt bitter.
Looking at the beautiful garden of the Granger family and hearing a young child from inside laugh, Sirius found himself wishing he’d not volunteered to fetch the Granger girl.
“A happy family home, something I can’t give Harry because of the bloody blood protection, but breaking that kid’s heart…”
Sirius let out a deep breath, pushing at the gate and heading up the path in time to see a sprite of a child dash out, his entire body tensing as he paused the black hair and gray eyes, the familial trait of the Black family.
“Bloody Merlin. This is really digging in deep, isn’t it?”
“Hi!”
“Hey. Is Granger your sister?” Sirius said.
The girl frowned, then held up her fingers. “Jules has two sisters!”
“The bushy-haired one?”
“Hermione!” Jules started giggling and grabbed his hand, dragging him inside.
“Wait!” Sirius said. “Bloody Merlin! She reminds me of Regulus when he was little!” Miserably, he glanced aside, catching sight of a date embroidered and framed. “The Granger’s wedding date, I guess? I mean…”
He stiffened, staring at the date.
“Why are you looking at that?”
“It’s the day…” Sirius said.
“Mama and Papa got married!”
“Oh. Sorry. Not that.”
“No?” Jules frowned, then, “You look sad. Why?”
He found her charm hard to resist. “It’s just the day my brother died. Or around that time.” He took a deep breath. “Wait. Where is your Papa right now?”
“Jules will take you!”
“Ah, no!” Sirius took a deep breath. “Wait!” He closed his eyes. “Why am I hesitating?”
“Not see Papa?”
“I don’t know,” Sirius chuckled. “When’s his birthday?”
He meant the question as a way of easing the anxiety. “Mine!”
“Yours!”
“Hermione’s friend’s birthday too!” Jules laughed.
“Wait?” Sirius sucked in his breath. “You mean Harry’s?”
Jules nodded her head. “Hermione said so!” And then she tugged him into the other room. “Papa!”
“Uh, yes?”
Sirius stiffened, as did the other person upon looking up.
“Uh, Jules?”
“Hermione’s friend came?”
“That’s not quite…” Sirius sighed. He took a deep breath. “Hello, Regulus. I mean, Mr. Granger.”
“Hi, Sirius.”