Remus always had an odd connection with God. He wasn't quite sure that there was anyone listening to his prayers, but he felt as if someone was there, comforting him from some far off heaven. Although, sometimes he felt as if the world had screwed him over, and then it was just nice to have some higher power to blame for his misery.

In any case, he didn't expect the lord to send him on a wild goose chase to find a job outside of the monastery, especially not requested from the Abbot himself. So that's how he found himself in front of a wildly expensive mansion that was worth more than Remus himself.

Sighing, Remus walked up the long pathway. He was slightly disturbed with the amount of statues and hedges that crowded the dirt drive, but continued to walk up the dirt pathway. He clasped the bronze knocker and knocked three times on the door.

" Hello, I'm Mr. Kreacher. I'm the butler at the Black Family Manor."

" Nice to meet you, Mr. Kreacher. I'm Remus Lupin."

" Yes I know. Mr. Black has been expecting you, although I'm not sure you'll stay very long."

" What was that?"

" Oh, nothing. Follow me this way."

The butler led Remus into the foyer, which was dark and smelled like wilting flowers. Portraits hung around the deeply colored walls.

" Wait here please. Mr. Black will be with you shortly."

Remus looked around in mild disgust at the horrid decor inside the stuffy air.

" Horrific, isn't it?"

Remus whipped around to see a man with long, dark hair and a 5 O'clock shadow dusting his face. He was wearing a formal suit, but he didn't seem to be enjoying the tight fitting getup.

" Go ahead, say it. I don't like it anymore than you do, perhaps even more. I've been trying to redecorate for years now, but I haven't gotten any inspiration."

" Ah, I see. Well, I'm just here for the children, unfortunately, and not decor expertise, although it's obvious you need some."

Sirius chuckled softly, " You're right. I'll get the kids now."

He reached for something out of his pocket. It was metallic and tube shaped; he brought it to his lips and it let out a shrill scream. The sound of marching footsteps pattered down over the creaky floorboards.

A line of children marched up to where Remus and Mr. Black were standing .

" Children, this is your new caretaker, Remus. Tell him you names and ages."

The first child stepped up.

" Phoebe, 16"

Followed by the second.

" Perseus, 14"

" Elara, 13"

" Atlas, 11"

" Lyra, 10"

" Cordelia, 7"

" Pandora, 5"

Remus stared in awe at the number of children standing in front of him. He tried not to think of the amount of intercourse needed to have this many babies, and instead tried to think of the gift of life that God had given this man.

"And what beautiful children you have."

Sirius let out a smile that seemed oddly forced , " Yes, I am so lucky to have them. Anyway, I have very important business to attend to. Kids, BEHAVE." The last word rang ominous through the air, it even gave Remus the chills. Mr. Black left the room with the slam of a door and left the kids and Remus alone to their own devices.

" Alright, so now that your dad is gone, lets get to know each other better, huh?"

They spent the next twenty minutes talking about simple things, and Pandora even told Remus what her favorite snack was. Remus finally felt happy for once in a long while. These children were just radiating glee and mischief and Remus felt bad that they had to be cooped up in the sad remains of this beautiful mansion.

The next morning Remus lined the children up using the horrid whistle that Mr. Black provided him.

" Alright kids, first order of buisness, I want you to take off those stupid uniforms and change into these clothes that I made for you last night. "

And then they headed off to the park and they played and they laughed, and Remus could see the joy on their faces. He could tell they hadn't felt that joy in a long time.

" So tell me about your dad."

" He's grumpy. He never plays with us; he's always in his room doing work." Pandora revealed.

"Dad's never been happy. At least not when I've been born."

" Well what about before that?" Remus asked them.

They all shrugged and continued to play their games.

~

Remus was awake one night, wondering about his new boss and thinking about what the children said about him. He head an echo from down the hall and perked up at the sound. Again a faint sob filled the void sound in Remus' room. He followed the sound to Mr. Black's room where he knocked on the door.

The knob turned and Mr. Black stood there with dried tear tracks running down his face.

" Is there something you needed? Are the kids behaving?"

" Oh the kids are fine, I was just wondering about you."

Mr. Black stiffened, " That was not in your job description. Please, go back to your room and do not disturb me unless there is something wrong with my children."

" Yes, sir. Of course."

~

The next day Mr. Black's friend James Potter came to visit and tried for the whole day to convince him to join their old band, The Marauders.

" Come on, Sirius! It's been so long! When was the last time you even smiled?"

" That's none of your fucking business, James! I'm not wasting my time and money on some stupid band we made when we were in high school!"

" Daddy, you should do it! It sounds fun." Pandora giggled in excitement. James picked her up off the ground and twirled her around. "Ooo, Daddy do you want to hear what Remus taught us?"

Sirius raised his eyebrows in curiosity, but kept his facial expression stone cold.

" I would love too sweetie, " James cooed, " I'm sure your dad would love to too, right Sirius?"

Sirius turned away and headed to pour himself a drink.

" Well, Uncle James would be glad to hear it, Pandora."

The kids gathered around the room and prepared to sing a song. Their voices rang in the air and left a beautiful melody hanging above.

" That was wonderful, children. Remus I can't believe you got them to sing so beautifully."

Remus smiled, " It wasn't me, sir. I only taught them the notes. Mr. Black must've had quite the singing genes to pass on to his children."

" Oh, indeed. You should've heard him sing when we were back in school. All the ladies swooned." James grinned.

" That's quite enough for today, James. Children, run along to your studies; Remus, may I have a word with you?"

" Of course, Sir."

" Who gave you the right to come into my home and teach my children to sing?"

" I was not aware there was a ban on music in this household. The idea seemed completely absurd to me that I didn't consider it."

" Music was never allowed in the Black Manor!"

" Was? Is that to say that this is an old rule?"

" Perhaps, but why does that matter?"

" If you didn't make that rule yourself, you don't have to follow it, sir. I always thought you were quite fond of music, James always made it seem so."

" James needs to learn when to keep his mouth shut. The rules of this house have stayed the same for decades, why should I change them now?"

" Have you ever considered that the rule is outdated and isn't in the best interest of your children?"

" My children are fine; this is how I grew up and I turned out wonderful!"

" Did you like it here? You gave off the impression that you didn't when we first met, and I can assure you, your children certainly don't-"

" That's enough, Mr. Lupin!"

Remus sucked in a breath, nodded, and walked away, leaving Sirius seething behind him. He could hear James and Sirius arguing after he left, about what, however, he could not decipher. 

Remus was considering abandoning this whole babysitting gig and just going back to the monastery. What was the point of staying somewhere where he wasn't welcome? He packed his bags and admired the room he was staying in. He reminisced on the times he had shared with all the children. When the clouds were thick and thunder rolled over the valley, when all the children came running in and snuggled up close to the gangly man. He remembered when he passed out chocolate and told fantastical stories. 

He took a deep breath and grabbed his suitcase. He turned and walked out the door, the only sign that he had ever been there was a simple goodbye note that he left on the table. 

A/N

I've been working on this for a while and I didn't know how to continue it creatively without just directly following the plot of the original Sound of Music, so I'm going to post what I have so far and if you like it I'll try to write the rest later on. Thanks so much for you patience with my procrastination! 

-S. Danielle