Hello Fam :)

A/N: It's been long. But I was stuck with some work and the endings weren't conclusive. I hope the chapter is okay. :)

Happy Reading...

When Sirius woke up the next morning, James was still sleeping. They had DADA as their first class and it was enough to dampen his mood. Hence, he draped himself half over James and closed his eyes, ignoring the world. James woke up sometime later and ran his fingers through Sirius's hair, the action always calmed him down.

"Hey, what's up? You don't want to go?

"I was pretending to be asleep so that you would ignore me and leave me to skip the first class", he said.

James poked his head. "But I can hear you thinking. You were so loud, you woke me up from my sleep."

"As always, your logic doesn't make sense", he told, earning a chuckle from James.

"Sirius, what's wrong?"

"I don't want to go to DADA class."

James sighed. "Sirius, remember when we first started the Animagi training? You couldn't sit still and meditate but then you saw Moony in pain and you sat through three hours to witness your form. You are brilliant, Siri, and I understand your magic never gave any problem to you but just because there is a small hurdle, would you run away from them? It's just nonverbal spells. Who knows you would use them or not as long as you are brilliant with your wand?"

Sirius bit his lip. He needed to learn the nonverbal spells. After what has happened in the last couple of months, he was scared he would be caught again without his wand. He never wants to feel that helpless again which is why the nonverbals were so damn important to him. James stroked his arm, bringing him out of his thoughts.

"How about you ignore whatever he says today and concentrate on me? Let's try with each other today? If you manage to win, I will take you to Hogsmeade tonight, okay?"

Sirius nodded half-heartedly. He could concentrate on James but he couldn't guess what the other boy was thinking while casting the nonverbal spell. He needed someone. Someone who would actually understand him.

XXX

That someone came in the form of Professor Dumbledore when they saw him on the staff table that morning. Sirius sighed in relief. He could talk to the headmaster regarding this. One look at James and he knew he was thinking the same. They had finished their breakfast when Professor Dumbledore raised from his chair and the crowd went silent.

"Students, I have two announcements and a slight change in your schedules this year. Your first class of the day is canceled for today", he said.

Sirius grinned looking at James, who chuckled and ruffled his hair. "You sure, you are not the seer?"

"Silence. Coming to the next announcement, I have been away from Hogwarts negotiating with the ministry to convince them about some extra defence classes. These classes would be purely practical and whoever is interested can sign them up with the ministry-assigned instructor. Ministry is so kind to allow their respectable Deputy Head Auror Charles Potter", announced Professor Dumbledore.

As if on cue, Charles walked in, beaming in happiness. Sirius could hear his heart beating faster. Something about this day has turned out to be extremely lucky. Mr. P was even better than Professor Dumbledore. Mr. P was his own. He turned to James to express his happiness when he saw half of the Gryffindor was looking at James while the boy stared at his father, narrowing his eyes. "Jay, what happened?"

"Sirius, I think there is something fishy", he muttered.

Sirius punched him on the arm. "It's your dad, stupid."

"Students interested could sign up with Auror Potter during the first hour. The session would be held during the evenings twice a week. Auror Potter would discuss his schedule with you later in the day or tomorrow."

XXX

As the students started reciting their names to Charles, the marauders were standing at the back, letting the rest of them go ahead. Sirius was emitting waves of nervousness and it was making Peter nervous too as he was bouncing beside Sirius. Remus was ignoring both of them and James decided to follow the superior marauder. "Moony, what do you think about these classes?"

Remus leaned against the wall, scratching his chin. "What do I think about finally having a decent defence teacher? I would be ecstatic if not for all the things that could go wrong?"

"Wrong? Like?"

"I don't know. After what happened with Bellatrix and Sirius, is having your dad here a good point? He is a 'blood traitor'. Sirius could be more in trouble. Or your dad is an Auror, James. What if he finds the pattern about not only my absence during the full moon but also the three of you? Sure, he would know something is up. This could only go wrong", said Remus.

James chuckled. "Why are you so paranoid?"

Remus cuffed his head. "As I said already, he is a brilliant Auror. He would know to look for the clues."

James bit his lip. Did he skip some part while narrating what happened to Sirius back when he ran away? "Moony, don't panic, please", he whispered.

Remus groaned. "Merlin, what did you do now?"

James sighed dramatically. "So much of distrust, Moons."

The boy rolled his eyes. "This would work if it were Sirius. Stop stalling and tell me."

"Okay, so my dad and mom too, kind of know about your furry little problem."

"What?", he screamed, earning weird glances from the students around them. But they shrugged before concentrating on their work because marauders were known for their weirdness.

Before Remus could go into a full panic mode, James pulled him into a hug. "Hey, I had to tell them after Sirius was half-dead on my doorstep as Padfoot. But apparently, they already know about you. Said, he was in the inner circle in the ministry."

James felt Remus breathing when he started rubbing circles on the boy's back. "Why did he allow you to still be friends with me?"

"Because you are a brilliant person, Remus. Because what happens to you once a month is not your fault. You are the victim here, not a monster."

"Until I would kill someone."

"Do you think we became Animagi to let you be a killer? I promise, Moony. I would never make a killer out of you", he said. "Unless, it's Voldemort", he added, to lighten up the mood, breaking the hug. "Please, help me take down Voldy with that brilliant brain of yours? Do you think we could transfigure him into a pixie and kill it?"

Remus rolled his eyes. "I am damn sure he would cause more trouble in pixie form too."

James grinned. If Remus was back to joking, he is fine. James glanced up and saw most of the people were filing out for their second class. Most of the Gryffindors have already signed up and Regulus was one of the few Slytherins who were interested in the class. When Charles beamed at Regulus and forwarded his hand to ruffle Regulus's hair, James pushed himself between the two with an exaggerated wave. Regulus was with their friends and his hatred towards Sirius and in extension, the marauders was very public. The younger Black sighed in relief before leaving the room. Once James made sure it was only the marauders, he gave a brief hug to his dad. "Dad, what's up?"

"Did Regulus stop talking to you again?"

"No, dad. He is pretending to hate us publicly. But we are talking when alone. We are sneaking him into the cloak. I would advise you not to be overly familial with him even during class. If he is comfortable and alone, he would approach you when he wants."

Charles nodded. "Okay, thanks for telling. But you take care of the boy, okay?"

James nodded. "Sure. But what did you do?"

"What?"

"Nothing. It's a little suspicious when you said you would teach defence classes this year and then Professor Dumbledore says he convinced the ministry for extra classes."

Charles chuckled. "Well, I might have talked Dumbledore into taking the extra defence classes and he might have convinced the ministry as if it were his idea. Crouch would never refuse Dumbledore. Especially when his kid is here too. So, he sent me."

"More like you manipulated him into sending you so that now he thinks it's all his idea. Great. You sure, you weren't sorted into Slytherin?", teased James.

Charles grinned and ruffled his hair before turning to Remus and Peter. Sirius was standing at the back, a deep frown on his head, his eyes staring at the floor. Charles greeted the two boys before raising an eyebrow, pointing towards Sirius. James shrugged and walked back to tug at Sirius's hand as Charles wrote down their names. "Hey, what are you thinking?"

Sirius shrugged, without really answering.

"James, we are getting late to Transfiguration", said Remus.

James nodded. "You go ahead. We will follow you in a minute."

When they were the only two in the room with Charles, Sirius finally gave a small wave to Charles. "Hello, Mr. P."

"Don't get away with a wave. Come here", said Charles, before extending his arms. Startled, when Sirius stepped forward to give a side hug, Charles pulled him into a full bear hug. James saw Sirius sagging against the older man and some of the tension releasing from his body. "You feeling better, kid?"

Sirius pulled back and managed a small smile. "Mr. P, can I...can we...do you have a minute?", he stuttered before taking a deep breath. "Can we talk?"

James frowned as he guessed the reason which was troubling Sirius but he also wanted to explain a few things regarding that issue to his dad and there was no such time right now. "Sirius, we would be late to Minnie's class", said James, and felt his heart breaking for interrupting Sirius. The boy really needed to talk to a genuine adult. "We have a test today", he explained to the two.

Sirius bit his lip. "I could skip. This is more important."

"I am not leaving you alone. She would skin us alive if we are skipping the test."

"I didn't know you are afraid of anyone, James", teased his dad.

James scoffed. "I am not afraid, dad. She scares the shit out of me."

"That's what being afraid feels like."

"I would like to take a risk", muttered Sirius.

Charles sighed, leaning against the table. "Whatever it is, is it life-threatening? Or could it wait for a few more hours?"

James looked at Sirius before shrugging. They didn't have defence before the day after tomorrow. So, they have time. "We didn't kill anyone if that's what you mean? Or none of us are dying?"

Charles chuckled. "Just making sure. You know, with the two of you, anything is possible", he teased before putting an around Sirius. "Kid, why don't you go to class, finish your classes for the day and I would pick you up for dinner. We can go to Hog's Head Inn. It is quieter there than three broomsticks and Aberforth would give us a private corner. How does that sound?"

"I don't want to take your time", said Sirius.

Charles huffed at the boy. "You are allowed to take my time. We are family. Anyway, I have a few things to be sorted out at Hogwarts regarding these classes. Okay, how about James joins us? Is that okay?"

James grinned, letting his agreement known when Sirius glanced at him. He then gave a hesitant nod to Charles.

The elder wizard pulled Sirius close before releasing him. "Okay, then. I will pick you two in the evening. Now go and study. And don't get into trouble. I am here at the castle for the day."

XXX

"I can tell him everything, right?", asked Sirius, for the nth time.

James sighed before putting his hands on Sirius's shoulders, forcing the boy to look at him. "Sirius, he is your dad too as much as he is mine. You know that. What are you scared about?"

"I am not used to talking to adults with things that are bothering me", said Sirius, in a low tone.

James grinned. "Good thing we are changing that from now on. You can talk to him about anything. If you are not ready to talk, we can have a quiet family lunch and fix up a meeting some other time."

"He wouldn't be mad about it?"

"Nope. He would give you time to open up. Also, I am there with you. I want to know about that too. So, if you couldn't talk, can I ask him about my questions?"

"Are you taking permission from me?", asked Sirius, a ghost of a smile on his lips.

"It's your issue. I want you to have a chance to speak it aloud. It might help you. But I want to know about that shield charm you had cast."

"Help me talk", said Sirius.

"Never thought I would have to help you talk", teased James.

When Charles arrived at their meeting point, they muttered their hellos before following him to Hogs Head Inn in Hogsmeade where Aberforth was waiting for them.

James had met Aberforth a couple of times. He wasn't as open to students as Professor Dumbledore but he was a decent bloke if you want to have a conversation.

"Aberforth, hello", said his dad.

"Good to see you, Charles."

Charles smiled. "I hope you know my kids here."

Aberforth snorted. "Who doesn't know these two little troublemakers? Though, they are more popular with Madam Rosemerta than here."

James waved his hand at him. After a whispered conversation between the two elder wizards, they were taken to the farthest corner of the Inn and a house-elf appeared to get their food order before informing them she would return with the food. Charles thanked her and cast a privacy and silencing charm.

"So, Sirius, what had you all ruffled up?"

When Sirius hesitated for a minute, James slipped his hand to Hold Sirius's. "Our DADA teacher is being mean to Sirius", blurted James with what little tact he had.

"Do you want me to talk to him?", asked Charles.

Sirius shook his head. "Mr. P, we have started nonverbals this year", he told and glanced at James, who gave him an encouraging nod. "I am rubbish at nonverbals."

James groaned. "I object."

"About what?", asked Charles, startled.

"Sirius isn't rubbish at it. I feel he needs some practice. Sirius's magic is too powerful to be rubbish at nonverbals", explained James.

Charles rubbed his forehead before sighing and squeezing Sirius's free hand which was on the table. "Sirius, kid, you are finding it difficult to cast any nonverbal spell and James's confidence in you isn't helping you. Am I right?"

Sirius bit his lip probably afraid of offending James. James bumped their shoulders, letting him know it was okay, earning a smile from the boy. "Mr. P, I have tried but I don't seem to get it. Even a simple lumos feels like a burden."

"I guessed you would have difficulty in nonverbals", muttered Charles.

James frowned at that. Sirius was powerful.

"Is it", started Sirius before huffing. "Is it because of not having my family magic anymore?"

Charles was startled out of his thoughts. "Sirius, who gave you that idea?", he asked. "No, listen. Nonverbals require a different level of concentration. It needs you to quieten your mind before you cast a spell. How can you cast a spell when you have multiple thoughts running in your mind? You always have excessive energy inside you which threatens to burst out and you always keep jumping around."

"But Jay doesn't have any problem with that?", asked Sirius.

"I agree James is also a bundle of excessive energy but when he really wants to concentrate on something, he manages to focus on a singular point. Hence, he isn't having any difficulty in nonverbals too. Got my point?", said Charles.

"So, what can I do to overcome this?", asked Sirius.

Charles was quiet for some time during which the house-elf appeared with their food. They thanked the elf before she left and Charles had recast the charms. "Sirius, from what I have seen in the Grimmauld a few months back, I thought your magic should be more disruptive. Not because you are a Black, of course. As James said, you are powerful, as a wizard, without your family adding to your magic. I thought you already should have a problem casting the magic because you would be putting all your focus into casting a spell and it would be too much before something explodes. That never happened, right?"

Sirius shook his head.

"I guessed the same. One possibility of why it hasn't happened yet is because your thoughts are all over the place. But when you focus on one single thing, all your magic becomes too thick, you might even touch it. Or as I said something explodes."

"Sirius had cast a really strong shield charm the other day and I could touch it. Even Minnie touched his magic", said James.

Charles nodded, without any hint of surprise on his face. "What were you thinking during that time?"

"Bella tried to attack James. I thought of protecting him", said Sirius.

Charles laughed. "There you are. Your whole focus was on protecting James and your magic responded without wandering to second thoughts. That's the answer to you being powerful without your family being part of it. That shield charm was all you."

"But we were always taught that family magic is important", asked Sirius.

"It is. You can't stand up to Dark Lords probably with your magic? I don't know if you could. But let's not test that theory", he warned both James and Sirius, before turning to Sirius. "Kid, your family magic would make you even more powerful, I agree. But you don't need it. Let's do one thing. We have around two weeks before your Christmas break. How about you survive these few days without your family magic and believe in yourself that you are a powerful wizard. And during the holidays, we could work on your nonverbal part. Is that alright? Do you two want to come home during Christmas?"

James shrugged. "I would if Sirius comes."

When Sirius was hesitant, Charles squeezed his hand again, forcing the boy to look at him. "We would love to have you home but if you want to stay at Hogwarts, Dora and I would ask Professor Dumbledore to stay at Hogwarts, or maybe we would just book a room at Rosemerta for the break. It's your choice."

James threw his arm around the boy to assure him. "What are you thinking about?"

"Reg. He might go home."

"Hey, if Reggie goes to Grimmauld's, you can worry about him even at our home alongside mom's amazing Christmas goodies. And if he isn't going, we could kidnap him to our home. No one would know", said James, grinning.

Charles sighed. "James, honey, I am still an Auror. Don't plan a kidnapping in front of me. You would jeopardize my job."

"Dad, if Reg's coming home, you can't close your eyes and ignore him. You are already on the plan."

The elder Potter gave up but James saw a smile on Sirius's face which was a win in James's eyes.

"Mr. P, I would love to celebrate Christmas with you."

Charles gave him a smile before he tried to ruffle Sirius's hair and James pulled him last minute towards him, ruffling the boy's hair himself. Sirius's hair was precious and till now only James was allowed to mess it up. He knew Sirius wouldn't say anything to Charles or Dorea but James didn't want to take a chance. If Sirius hexes them like he did a few students before out of instinct, Sirius would feel bad more than his parents and he didn't want that to either of them.

Charles raised an eyebrow at James before shaking his head and started having his food. "I went to Gringotts to get your adoption papers ready."

"You did", exclaimed James.

"I wanted a reaction from him. Not you", teased Charles.

James huffed. "He is officially going to be my brother. How can I not be excited?"

The elder Potter sighed in fond exasperation. "Sirius, I thought I would ask Dora to come here whenever she is free so that you can sign. She is not required, of course, but I thought she wanted to be there when you are signing."

"Why can I hear a but coming there?", asked Sirius.

Charles laughed. "Because you are smart. I want to wait out now. Let's wait till Christmas. Let me make you cast your first nonverbal without any family magic and prove to you that you are really good at being a wizard all by yourself and then we can sign it as a celebration."

"But what if he can't do it before the Christmas holidays?", asked James.

"James", said Charles, patiently but his eyes were on both of them, "it's important for Sirius's insecurity to prove that he doesn't need his family magic or anyone's to be a good wizard. It would help him. Also, I trust him and his abilities."

XXX

Sirius would officially be part of the Potter family by Christmas. After their dinner, Charles asked Sirius to practice meditation again and try to quieten his thoughts before dropping the boys at the castle gates. He hugged the boys, extending the hug for Sirius for several minutes before he walked towards the anti-apparition point. James hadn't stopped grinning ever since Charles mentioned the adoption papers.

The Potters are adopting him. He, Sirius Black, who was always an abomination back at Grimmauld's. Sirius was a child when he witnessed mother banging a house-elf's head on the wall and hanging it as an honor for her service to the Black family. Regulus was not in the house but Sirius was terrified. It was also the first time, the traitorous thought of leaving his family came to his mind. But he was still a child and the only one who Sirius knew would be happy to have him was James. When Sirius told him the incident and about how terrified he was, James hugged him for an hour, both the boys being wrapped up on the couch before Misty came to the living room. James pushed Sirius aside and then dragged both Sirius and Misty for flying on the broom and then they played games together for the rest of the evening. It was such a contrasting behavior and as a person capable of thinking now, Sirius knew he hasn't become his family because Jay had taught him kindness, and showed him kindness at various points throughout his life.

When Sirius met James and spent time with his family, he never envied Jay's parents ever. Part of the reason was Sirius loved Jay with all his heart. Of course, he secretly wished the Potters were his parents but he also wanted Jay with them. Nothing would make sense if Jay's not part of the family. And now he could have Jay in his life along with the Potters without ever being scared of going back to the Blacks. He didn't know what to do with this piece of information without crying and he did just that. "Jay, I am going to the astronomy tower", he informed.

"Okay", said Jay before turning them in that direction.

"No, Jay. I want to go to the astronomy tower. Alone", he told and ignored the hurt look on his face. "I need to be alone for some time."

"Sirius-"

"Please, Jay?"

Whatever the other boy had seen on his face might have convinced James to let him go. He lifted his arms to pull Sirius into a hug before aborting the motion awkwardly and taking a step back. "I will wait for you in the dorm", he told and walked away.

Sirius knew James would keep an eye on him through the map. It's fine. Turning around, Sirius sat down after reaching the astronomy tower and allowed the tears to fall free. Thankfully for him, he was alone. So, he sat there wondering how he could have ended up that lucky to even be loved by the Potters. How could he be that fortunate to meet a boy and become his friend in an abandoned library of some pureblood house when he was just four? Sirius sat there for what felt like his entire life before a pair of arms surrounded him and he tensed thinking Jay had lost his patience and come to find him but as he was pulled closer into an embrace, he realized it was Lily.

"Oh, Sirius", she muttered, rubbing his back. "You are fine, love. You are okay now."

Sirius held on to her as if his life depended on it. Lily kept whispering words into his ear, rubbing his back. It was a long time before the tears dried down and Sirius shifted his head on the redhead's lap, curling up on himself, and the said girl leaning against the wall. Lily was carding her fingers through his hair. If it was anyone, Sirius would have hexed them but it was Lily Evans and the action reminded him of James. It made him laugh thinking about the two idiots who were always made for each other inside his head, which came out more like a sob, but Lily squeezed his arm without removing her hand from his hair.

"Are you and James fighting again?", she asked.

Sirius shook his head and tried to control his breathing. Lily had found him in this state during the entire Moony episode when James refused to look at him. He understood why she had come to the conclusion. "Jay's family is adopting me. I would be part of their family by Christmas."

"You have been part of their family for years, Sirius."

Sirius opened his mouth to explain but then stopped himself. She was right. He has been part of their family for years and they were his only family that counted. "How could I have been this lucky?", he said instead.

"Because you are a good person, Sirius", she said.

When he glanced up, Lily was smiling down at him. "And handsome", he said.

She laughed. "And handsome."

"You agreeing with me", he asked, surprised. He was going for being obnoxious but didn't realize she would agree with him.

"Someone would be blind if they didn't think you are handsome."

"Don't flirt with me, Evans. I am still saving you for my best friend", he teased.

Lily rolled her eyes. "Never said I would end up with your best friend."

"Lie to yourself", he said, before standing up and pulling her to her feet and into his arms. "Thank you, Lily. For always being there without any question."

"Who knows you would be part of my life if I end up with your best friend", muttered the prefect.

Sirius wouldn't have heard it if not for Padfoot's enhanced hearing. Instead of teasing her, he chose to ignore her. He would do that once she ends up with Jay. Until then, he could be sweet and give her time.

XXX

Sirius expected James to be pacing around the room but he was in the middle of an elaborate story, explaining it to Peter and Remus. They turned their heads when Sirius entered the room. He waved at their friends. "Jay, I thought you would-"

"Pacing across the room with the map in his hands", said Remus. "He did. Until he saw Lily coming to the tower and then he had relaxed and told us what happened." The boy stood up and pulled Sirius into a hug. "I am so happy for you."

"Me too, Moons", he muttered, before breaking the hug and hugging Peter, who was waiting beside them. "Thanks, Pete." When he finally freed himself, he saw James sitting calmly on the bed, giving him a small wave. "Jay, I am sorry", he muttered.

Jay shook his head, standing up and pulling him into his arms. Sirius felt himself relaxing. "You feeling okay now?"

Sirius nodded. "I felt overwhelmed. Lily helped."

"I am glad she did. Siri, don't hesitate to ask anything, whatever you need. Even if you want me to leave you alone for some time, okay?", said Jay.

"Didn't think you would leave me alone", he teased.

Jay sighed. "It would be difficult for me but I would deal with it. I don't want to suffocate you."

"You don't."

As Jay got ready for bed, Sirius did something he had never done before. He wrote a letter to home saying he can't wait to meet his family for Christmas and decided to send the letter to Mrs. P the next morning. 

I wrote the chapter and felt it was insufficient. I read it multiple times and noticed Remus is missing. So, hence, forced a conversation between Remus and James. Remus needs more space in this book and I will try my best. 

Sirius is bad at nonverbals because it requires a level of concentration and I share the opinion of Mr. P here. He is always bursting with energy. We will channelize his magic because I need him to be the perfect wizard. After all, he will be the Godfather of a perfect boy. :P

I imagine Sirius being all confident and cocky with everyone but shy and awkward around a family that loves him. It hurts that this boy didn't feel the love while growing up. Well, the Potters would love to fill that up. 

Also, how sweet is the bond between Lily and Sirius? 

Next Chapter will be posted sometime tomorrow. Remind me if I am not posting anything by the evening tomorrow. :)