Archive of Our Own

"We’ll be back in the morning."

Regulus said it softly, running a hand over Harry’s curls as the little boy clung to him. His tiny fingers had fisted themselves into his Papa's robes the moment they stepped into Sirius and Remus’ home. And despite the best efforts of his other dad, he refused to let go.

James crouched beside them, ruffling Harry’s unruly curls. "C’mon, kiddo, don’t you want to stay with Uncle Padfoot and Uncle Moony?" He tickled Harry’s side, coaxing a reluctant giggle out of him. 

Harry lifted his head just enough to shake it. "No."

Sirius put a hand to his chest, gasping dramatically. "Betrayal! Here I was, planning the best night ever, and you’re acting like we’re about to toss you to the Dementors!"

"Merlin, Sirius," Remus muttered, shooting him a look.

James chuckled, standing up. "You two are in for a long night."

Regulus sighed, slowly peeling Harry off of him. "You’ll be alright, mon cœur ," he murmured, pressing a kiss to Harry’s forehead. "We’ll be back before you know it."

Harry’s lip trembled. His green eyes darted to James, then back to Regulus.

James gave his son another reassuring kiss. "Be good, alright?" Then, looking up at Sirius and Remus, he added, "And you two, please don’t set anything on fire."

"No promises," Sirius quipped.

Regulus rolled his eyes before turning back to Harry. " Bonne nuit, mon ange ," he murmured. Then, with one last warning glance at his brother, he stepped outside with James.

The door shut with a faint click.

"...Papa? Dada?" Harry’s voice was small and uncertain. His gaze stayed locked on the door.

Sirius and Remus exchanged glances.

"They’ll be back in the morning, Prongslet," Remus said gently, crouching in front of him. "You’re going to have so much fun tonight. We’ll play, have dinner, and then we’ll read you a bedtime story. How does that sound?"

Harry wobbled slightly on his feet and his lip quivered.

Sirius, desperate to avoid tears, quickly grabbed his wand. "How about some magic, huh?"

With a flick, iridescent bubbles shot from the tip. Harry’s sniffles stopped instantly. His eyes widened and he reached out his chubby hands, trying to catch the bubbles in the air. With a tiny pulse of accidental magic, the bubbles swirled and danced around the boy.

Remus raised an eyebrow. "He’s already showing you up, Padfoot."

"Rude," Sirius said, but he was grinning. "Alright, Prongslet, let’s get this party started!"

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Harry adjusted quickly after that. Within minutes, he was toddling around the sitting room, babbling nonsense as he inspected every possible thing within reach.

Sirius sat on the floor, watching with an amused expression. "Alright, what’s the plan? Hide and go seek? Climbing the bookshelf while Uncle Moony isn’t looking?"

Remus didn’t even glance up from the ground where he was placing soft toys and puzzles. "If he climbs the bookshelf, you’re the one explaining it to Regulus."

"Forget I said anything," Sirius immediately said, scared at the thought of facing the wrath of his brother. Then, an idea struck. His face split into a wide, mischievous  grin. "Actually, how about a chase?"

Harry blinked up at him.

Sirius smirked. "Oh, you’re in trouble now, Prongslet."

Before Harry could react, Sirius transformed in a blink of an eye. One moment, he was sitting cross-legged, the next, a large black dog stood in his place. Padfoot gave a playful woof and lowered into a pouncing position, tail wagging.

Harry squealed in delight. "Paddy!"

He turned on his heel and ran. Well, as much as a wobbly toddler could run. His little legs carried him across the sitting room, shrieking with laughter as Padfoot chased after him.

The chase went on for a while. It was a chaotic mix of giggles and delighted screams. Harry clumsily darted around the furniture, pausing only to glance back with wide playful eyes. Each time he did, Padfoot pretended to lunge, making the toddler shriek and run again.

At one point, Harry tripped over his own feet, but before he could hit the floor, Padfoot was there, nudging him up with his big, furry head.

Remus, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed, watched with fond amusement. "Careful, you two."

Padfoot gave an exaggerated huff but obeyed, slowing his pace just enough to let Harry think he was getting away.

Finally, after a few more turns around the room, Harry tried to climb onto the couch, only for Padfoot to catch up and boop him with his nose, sending him tumbling into the cushions.

Harry collapsed in a heap, breathless from laughter. "Paddy!" he gasped between giggles.

Padfoot flopped down beside him, resting his big head on Harry’s tummy.

Remus walked over, kneeling beside them. "I think that means you lost, Harry."

Harry, still giggling, wrapped his arms around Padfoot’s head in an awkward but enthusiastic hug. "Love Paddy."

Padfoot huffed happily, his tail thumping against the couch.

Remus chuckled. "Alright, you two. That’s enough excitement for now. It’s time for dinner."

Padfoot immediately transformed back into Sirius, who groaned dramatically. "What, no dessert first?"

"You can have dessert after you eat something that won’t send you bouncing off the walls," Remus said, standing up and lifting Harry onto his hip.

Sirius sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of his face. "Fine. Did you cook something? I smell something good."

Remus rolled his eyes. "While the two of you were running around, I made some soup and toasties."

Sirius grinned. "Sounds good, Moonymine."

They headed off to the dining area, Harry still giggling softly in Remus’ arms.

With their hands washed, they make their way to the table. The warm scent of melted cheese and butter filled the air, and on the table sat a plate of golden brown toasties, carefully cut into bite-sized pieces, alongside a bowl of pumpkin soup that still let off wisps of steam.

Harry reached eagerly for the food, his tiny fingers grabbing at the toastie before Remus could even settle him into his chair.

Sirius snorted, plopping into his own seat. "Merlin, he eats just like James. Barely seated before the food is already halfway gone."

Remus smirked as he helped Harry take his first bite of soup. "Yes, well, at least Harry chews before swallowing. Unlike his father, who still inhales his food as if it's going to vanish."

Sirius chuckled. "Fair point. You’d think with Regulus around, they’d learn table manners."

Harry, completely unaware of their conversation, happily alternated between spoonfuls of soup and his tiny squares of toastie, his legs swinging under the table. Every now and then, he made a delighted little hum, clearly enjoying the meal.

Sirius watched in amusement. "For someone barely old enough to string a full sentence together, he already appreciates good food."

Remus took a sip of his tea, watching Harry with fond eyes. "Of course he does. I made his favorite, after all."

By the time Harry finished, his face and fingers were covered in crumbs and a bit of soup, and his eyelids were starting to droop. He let out a sleepy sigh, rubbing at his eyes with sticky hands.

Sirius grinned. "Looks like someone's ready for bed."

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

A quick cleaning charm took care of the mess on Harry’s hands and face, and after a bath filled with bubbles and rubber duckies, he was snug in his pajamas covered in tiny stars.

The fire crackled gently in the sitting room as Remus settled on the couch with Harry tucked against his side, a thick quilt draped over them. Sirius sprawled next to them, one arm behind his head.

"Alright, story time," Remus said, pulling out a book.

Sirius groaned dramatically. "Do I have to listen?"

"Only if you want to be enlightened by the wisdom of children’s literature," Remus said, smirking.

Sirius scoffed. "Highly doubtful."

Undeterred, Remus flipped open the book. " Tippy Turtle and the Talking Teapot ," he announced, showing Harry the illustrated cover.

Harry, already looking drowsy, reached out and patted the picture of the turtle with a soft "Oooh."

Remus started reading, his voice smooth and soothing. The story followed a curious little turtle who discovered an enchanted teapot that spoke in riddles.

Halfway through, Sirius leaned in and whispered, "I don’t know about you, but the teapot is incredibly annoying."

"Like you. Now shhh, Harry is almost asleep," Remus murmured back.

Harry gave a slow, sleepy blink before curling against Sirius, his tiny fingers gripping the fabric of his shirt.

"Dada? Papa where?" he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep.

Sirius ran a hand over his soft curls. "Your Dada and Papa will be here in the morning, pup."

Harry let out a small sigh, snuggling closer.

"Unc’ Pafoo?"

"Yeah?"

"Love you."

Sirius froze. Then, slowly, he glanced at Remus, who was smiling softly.

He swallowed past the tightness in his throat. "Love you too, pup."

Harry drifted off, his tiny breaths warm against Sirius’ chest.

Remus shook his head fondly. "You’re getting soft."

Sirius only grinned, pressing a kiss to Harry’s curls. "Yeah. And?"

Remus simply hummed. He just pulled the blanket over them, resting his head against Sirius’ shoulder.

They lay there in comfortable silence, listening to the soft crackling of the fireplace and the quiet rise and fall of Harry’s breathing.

After a while, Sirius murmured, "You ever think about it?"

Remus shifted slightly. "About what?"

Sirius’ fingers absentmindedly ran through Harry’s curls. "Having one of our own."

Remus exhaled, thoughtful. "Yeah," he admitted. "I do."

Sirius turned his head slightly, watching him. "Really?"

Remus gave him a small, sleepy smile. "Yeah. I mean, I love this. Taking care of him, watching him fall asleep between us. It’s… nice."

Sirius swallowed, something warm settling in his chest. "Yeah. It is."

They both looked down at Harry, peacefully curled against them.

Sirius let out a soft chuckle. "Merlin help us if we ever do, though. What if they take after me?"

Remus smirked. "If they take after you, we’re all doomed."

Sirius nudged him playfully before pulling the blanket up higher. "I think we would be great parents, Moonymine," he murmured.

Remus hummed, closing his eyes. "We definitely would."

And with that, the two of them drifted into sleep, Harry safely nestled between them, warm and loved.