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Lucky Strike	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 76061 -:- Recommendations : 4 -:- Currently Reading : 17
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this strange dance in JK Rowling's world.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Beta'd by the most amazing Tenchi, who I can't thank enough for all the hard work she does for me!

With help from Lynn who works with me when it comes to flow, continuity and other issues

Just a reminder of what's on my profile; reviews complaining or whinging about the lack 'o sex in stories will get deleted. If you want a smut-filled romp, you need to find another story to read.

Chapter 12

Leaning against Sirius, Harry was reading over his shoulder from a book Severus had found. Hagrid had just left after stopping by. Not only had he given them some plants for Bugs, but had explained his breed. Oh, indeed, he was mostly Continental Giant, but he was also a quarter Moon Gazing Hare. That was where some of the odd attributes came from.
Grinning a bit as he read toward the bottom of the article, Harry chuckled after taking a sip of his butterbeer, “So, this is where the origins of the Easter Bunny came from!”
“Not sure what that is,” Sirius remarked, finishing the article then shutting the book before taking a sip of his own drink.
“It's a Muggle thing,” Harry told him shortly, petting Bugs, who was munching on some kale.
Gazing across the table at the rabbit after passing the book with the small article he finished on the hare to Remus, Severus said, “Well, we now know he's nothing to worry about. In fact, it explains why he attached to you, Harry. Still not sure how this relates to the unicorn, but it's not bad whatever it is.”
There wasn't much out there on the Moon Gazing Hare, honestly, but what they found, and Hagrid explained, was they were bred as Healer Rabbits, usually for those with mental challenges of some sort. Even Muggles attributed rebirth and new beginnings to them in their legends. The Wizarding World research, what little they could find in the short time since Hagrid left, talked about their soothing manner, how they attached to one person in an attempt to be a companion and Healer of sorts. How they did that, no one seemed to know, but it was something that all that looked into them noted. As it was documented enough, it was accepted and they could be certified as a Therapy Animal. However, that would only work for the person they attached to, though everyone around them was affected by their calm and soothing nature. Such an animal was perfect for Harry and could only help what his son dealt with on a regular basis. This was good.
Quickly reading through what was there, Remus shut the book then smiled at Harry and the rabbit. “I'll go to the Ministry tomorrow and pick up the forms needed to get him certified. As we have Hagrid's readings on him, it shouldn't take more than that and a signature from your Mind Healer. This way, you can take him with you wherever you go, Harry. Well, provided he wears his leash and harness. Even to the hospital. That'll be nice, won't it?” He thought that might help with some of what Harry dealt with when it came to so much, especially for things like the surgeries and Healer appointments.
“Yeah, I think that's something I would like,” Harry nodded with a smile, stroking Bugs' ears. “They don't mention the jailbreak thing, though. We all know he can do that!”
“Oh, indeed,” Severus smirked, sipping his coffee. “I think, maybe, that is just part of his magic because he's attached to you. He may see being around you all he can as part of what he does since he's bonded with you in some way. As he doesn't harm anything when he does that, it's not an issue.”
Looking down at his rabbit, Harry smiled a little and petted him some more. Honestly? He didn't care what Bugs was, he liked him. If helping all he dealt with on a regular basis was part of what the rabbit did, that was only a bonus in it for him. With that, he wasn't at all troubled or offended by the chunk that talked about how they helped people with mental challenges. He knew he had problems, no one, anywhere, would dispute that. Bugs, well, it helped to hold and pet him when he was having a bad day or hard time. It was certainly better to do that than some of the other odd things he used to cope. Plus, it seemed to work better. At least from what he could tell.
Reaching over to pet the rabbit, Sirius couldn't help but smile. He could easily see what the articles talked about with Harry. None of them thought that Harry would attach to an animal like he had Bugs. Though he liked Hedwig and Tribble, he hadn't shown them the same affection he did Bugs. There was also the fact that some of what he did and allowed the rabbit to do wasn't anything that he had pondered with the other two, such as taking them in the shower with him. Bugs did that on a regular basis with Harry. Then there was sleeping with them. As leery as Harry was of animals, that was unheard of. He allowed it though, even holding the rabbit while he slept. Whatever the cause, it didn't matter. If Harry liked him, that's all that counted and it would only help.
“How about this; we spend the afternoon in the backyard. Severus and I can plant what Hagrid brought over, as we know what we're doing with that. Then we'll put a ward up around the other end of the yard where Severus' plants are so Bugs stays out of them and you two can have some fun,” Remus suggested. As it was the week of the full moon, he was tired most of the time. This was something that was a nice, quiet activity that wouldn't take too much out of him. Plus, all of them would get to spend time together.
“Alright,” Harry nodded, watching as Bugs polished off the last of his greens. “We'll find something to do out there.”

Seated on the edge of the cement that made up the small patio in the backyard, Harry glanced around. Severus and Remus were seated on the ground by the freshly tilled patch, working with the new plants they just put in the ground. That was one of those things the two seemed to like to do together, other than when it came to what Severus used for his business. He was very tetchy and finicky about those, so he tended to them alone. From what he saw, they had it set up nicely so Bugs could get to whatever he wanted with minimal problems. That was good and would give the rabbit something extra to munch on.
It was what was going on in the rest of the yard that had him grinning.
Sirius, as Padfoot, was playing around with Bugs. First, he would chase the rabbit around, barking happily. The rabbit seemed to understand what Padfoot was, so he wasn't panicked by it. From what Harry could tell, Bugs seemed like he was having fun, getting to stretch his legs and exercise as Padfoot wasn't going too fast with him. Every so often, they would reverse what they were doing and Bugs would chase the huge dog around, making happy noises as he did. That was a right riot to watch, actually. After all, no one would think a rabbit, no matter how big, would chase a massive dog around. From what Harry could see, both of them seemed to be having fun with the game.
Padfoot—the dog still unnerved him and he was leery of dealing with him. Now, he understood Sirius was Padfoot and he could change into the dog at will. After all, he'd seen him do that plenty of times, especially when he was adjusting to living here at first. Sirius had made sure to do that repeatedly so he understood that the dog was him and he didn't act like a normal dog. It was just the idea was all, what with his experiences when it came to dogs. All he could think at times was that Padfoot was far bigger than any dog he had ever dealt with and envision the pain that could bring on. Oh, Sirius wouldn't do that and he knew it, but he couldn't help it. The habit was too ingrained for him to think otherwise. He had gotten better at dealing with Padfoot since this all started. Unlike at first, he would let Padfoot sit by him and pet him, it was still just touchy was all, especially with what kind of nasty things it set off in his head at times. Sirius tried with him, he really did, with things like licking his ears and getting him to pet him, but he couldn’t help it. He didn't think dogs were something he would ever get used to. Even if one of them was Sirius.
Glancing at his dads again, Harry noticed that Remus already looked tired. That was normal for this time of the month. The man had told him once that the Wolfsbane Severus brewed him helped, a lot, but the pull of the approaching full moon always took its toll. That just meant Remus would sleep a lot more this week than normal. That and for several days after the full moon. Severus told him once that most that dealt with this tended to be short tempered as well. Remus was odd in that because he wasn't. At least that Harry could tell. The only effect he tended to see was that Remus didn't want to do too much physically. They still did things like school work and such, but tended to lie around to do it. That and Remus would doze off at times. He could handle that, honestly. Really, he didn't understand it much still.
When coming to live with them, they had all explained it the best they could, but he still had problems. Oh, he knew what werewolves were from movies, but what they explained was different and hard to meld with what he saw from the movies. And it was unfathomable that his dad, the one that was the really soft spoken one that didn't get riled much, turned into a werewolf once a month. He also knew that it was dangerous. Severus, Sirius and Remus, all three, made it very clear that he had to stay away from him when he was in that state. Severus had explained that the Wolfsbane allowed him to keep his mind, but the infection could easily be passed if he was hurt. In fact, the first couple of months he lived with them, until he could really understand what they meant, he stayed at the manor with Lucius during the night of the full moon.
He got that they were worried about him being curious about that end of things and wanting to see, then something happening to him. Honestly? He had no interest in seeing his dad as a wolf. He understood this was like a disease that caused something odd, at least that's how it was explained to him, but he just didn't want to see it. Remus was Remus, he didn't want to see him as a wolf. That was something he was better off not ever experiencing. Now it was easier. They all seemed to get that he didn't want to, so he stayed home during the night of the full moon. Well, mostly. Sirius tended to take him out that night and they stayed out later than normal, something Harry thought was to make sure they were both tired, before coming home. By the time they did, Remus was in the room by Severus' with the door locked. That was fine with him.
The only thing that really bothered him with the whole thing was how people treated his dad. Oh, the ones that were close to all of them didn't treat him any differently. And Severus loved him, something you could easily tell. Sirius was rabid about his friend, snarling at people that made comments. Harry just didn't understand that part. If it was explained to him right, Remus had no choice in this mess. He was infected as a kid, something he couldn't help. So, he didn't get why people treated him so badly or made comments. Yeah, he got that during the full moon he would be dangerous, especially if he didn't take the Wolfsbane, but during the rest of the month there wasn't anything to fear. It made him a little angry, honestly, because his dad was wonderful. Remus was the soft-hearted one that was so easy to talk to. He was really the first one that Harry would allow to hug him. So, it made him mad when people did that shite. It was stupid!
Pulled out of his thoughts and focusing back around him when Bugs hopped over then started to drink from the bowl of water by him, Harry grinned then reached down to pet the rabbit. It appeared the chase was over because Bugs was tired. Watching as Padfoot came over and sat down by him, Harry was uptight about that, as he always was. However, he grinned when the big dog began to lick his ear, making sure to slobber a lot as he did. Laughing, he said, “Ew! Dog slobber!” Of course, with Sirius being Sirius, he made sure to slobber more after he said that.
Waiting until Harry picked up the rabbit, Sirius changed back, sitting there and grinning at him as he did. “Just showing affection, Harry!” He said, chuckling.
“I could do without the slobbering,” Harry chuckled, swiping at his now dripping ear. That was ick, but he thought it was funny and he knew Sirius did it on purpose to get a laugh.
Slipping an arm around Harry, Sirius held him close and snickered, “Where is the fun in not slobbering?”
Shaking his head, knowing this wasn't an argument he would win, Harry asked, grinning at Sirius, “Did you have fun being chased by Bugs?”
“Alright, I admit that was a riot,” Sirius laughed. “And he seemed to like doing it both ways. Good exercise for him too! So, we went with it.”
“It was, yeah,” Harry admitted. After all the rabbit did get some exercise, but that was mostly around the house. Running around probably was good for him.
“So, would you like to go out and do anything tonight? I think it'll be good for Snape and Remus to get some time alone anyway,” Sirius said, holding Harry close.
Thinking it over, Harry nodded, “Yeah, we can do that. How about that little pub not far from here? Not too much in the mood to do anything big, but I think I'd like to watch the telly for a bit. Either that or go see a movie. We haven't done that in a while.”
“Let's do the movie. I like those,” Sirius said. “I'll pop down to the shoppette and grab a paper to see what's playing. We'll find something good.”
“There are three playing I want to see,” Harry told him, knowing what was out now from the paper the other day. “I think 'The Fifth Element' might be the best, though. We'll both like that one. Besides, you really like the sci-fi films.”
“We can do that then,” Sirius nodded. Harry was better at picking movies than he was as he didn't get so much that was in some. So, if Harry said that he would like it, it would be a decent one. As he had only seen a small handful of movies, they were something he adored. The visuals on the big screen were fascinating to him. Let alone how Muggles managed to make it all look so real. “We'll grab something to eat afterwards. This'll be great.”
“Yeah, we'll have fun,” Harry chuckled. Going to the movies with Sirius was great. They picked a seat in the back of the theater in a corner and Sirius held him close the whole time they watched. Plus, they grabbed every munchie they could get their hands on and had fun. This was the closest he ever got to really going on a date with anyone. Before Sirius, he hadn't done this and he enjoyed it.
“I'll let the two know what we're up to. I'm sure they'll like the night alone anyway,” Sirius told him. “Let me go grab a paper to see the times we have to choose from then we'll plan.” Seeing Harry nod, he stood to go do that. This would be fun and the both of them would have a great time.

Staring out the window in Albus' room in the small house they were using, James had his hands clasped behind his back as he really wasn't seeing the view outside. He had just filled Albus in on what he had seen in the Alley the day before. Honestly, he didn't know why, as it wouldn't add too much, but he felt he had to. Maybe it was his mind's way of figuring this out. He didn't know. At the moment, Lily was helping their two oldest make sure they were ready to leave for Hogwarts the next day. As it was fairly emotional for the both of them, it was better that she handle it.
Shaking his head after a few minutes of silence, he said softly, “I don't understand so much of this, Albus. Snape—yeah, what I saw isn't anything like I remember him or what he acted like in that meeting. I mean—if it was Remus, he would do that. Snape? No chance. He was too much of an arse.”
Leaning back and looking at James after popping one of his beloved lemon sherberts in his mouth, Albus told him softly, “Severus is Harry's father, James. Well, his adopted father. No court out there would have let him take on that role if he acted like he did in school. I'm sure what you saw is real. There was no chance he knew you were there, so it wasn't a show. The meeting and school—I think those are examples of what Severus is like when he's stressed or upset. We all know we don't put our best face forward when we're in those situations.”
Taking that in, James thought it over, not sure what to say.
Looking at the younger man, Albus said gently, “I very much doubt Harry would have responded to someone that acted like Severus did in school. And I don't think Severus would do that with someone who has so many problems. I know the situation upsets you, James, but consider it as they are people that are taking good care of your son.”
Looking down and shaking his head, James sighed. “Yeah, I get that Harry has problems, I do. What I saw of him didn't meld with some of what we were told. He didn't seem angry or dangerous, something he was portrayed as.”
Thinking that over, thumbs starting to twiddle, Albus wasn't sure what to say. Finally, after a couple of minutes, he imparted, “Maybe, in this case, you only saw part of what was going on with him. I'm sure, from what we know, that Harry has issues, big ones. I'm also equally sure that he has moments, especially with ones he trusts, where he appears normal. You didn't see all the interaction or hear what they were talking about, James. There also may have been some things you saw you didn't interpret the right way or missed subtleties that might be there from it. I don't know. It's a hard thing to suss out. However, what I do think we can both agree on is that, despite how hard Harry's life has been, there is hope for him and he's healing. That's very good. It's not something that will come easily, but it's there.”
Pondering that, James nodded slowly. Hope was something he desperately needed in this situation to deal with it. If he could focus on that, he might manage to get through it easier. Turning to face Albus, he sighed, “I don't know what to do in this situation. I mean, dealing with Remus and Snape is bad. We're not going to get anywhere with them. They are firm as concrete that we won't see Harry. So far, the only real encounter I've had with my son is watching him in the Alley. That's just not enough for any of us to get what we need to know how to deal with the situation. With all that's coming, we need more, Albus. We can't do shite to protect him if we don't get that.”
“I know,” Albus admitted with a sad shake of his head. “I'll say that I don't think you're going to get very far, James. Severus and Remus won't allow it. Harry is just shy of his majority. From all we know, he's made it clear that he wants nothing to do with any of us. What little I can get out of people about him is enough to tell me that his stance won't be easy to change. He's—stubborn and wary from all I was told. Which means we have to go about this a different way to gain his trust.”
“Any ideas how?” James asked, folding his arms over his chest and leaning back against the wall.
“Not really,” the old wizard sighed. “It's far more complicated than we ever planned for. This—I've never dealt with anything like it before and don't have many ideas how to even try. I do think, though, it might be wise to let Harry come to you. The bit with Rufus won't be pleasant, we know that, but it might be the start, James. Let him vent. It's the least any of us can do for the troubled young man. After all, such things usually help. He needs that. And he has the right to feel how he does. You may not like it, but he does. We made mistakes, James, big ones. The result is what we see. That we need to own. I know you're sorry. So does most everyone close to us. Harry—he may know, as do the others with him, but sorry is too mild of a word to express the regret we all feel for this. In fact, I know no way to get across to Harry what we feel. And there is no way to take back all the harm done by what we chose to do.” Lowering his voice, he said, tone thick with emotion, “If you don't think I'm not berating myself over not putting charms on that basket to protect him, you're wrong. I am. Every time I think about the situation. I—I don't even want to visualize some of what you heard and know that my error in judgment allowed it all to happen.”
Thinking that over, James gave a slow nod. “I get that, trust me. We need to do something, Albus. We know what's coming and the danger Harry will be in from it. I get that the three in that house and the others close to the situation will help protect Harry, but he needs more. And that's us. You know better than anyone what needs done here. He's going to need that.”
Giving another sad shake of his head, Albus looked at him then sighed. “I don't know. I truly don't. With the time constraints I'm sure we have, there isn't much of anything we can do but lay a foundation to build the trust on. And, even then, I'm not sure how to do that. The only thing I know is something we don't have; time. I say we go on as we are and try to prove it to him as events present themselves. That may do what we need for the foundation. The other bits—let's deal with them as they come. I'm also going to suggest that we let Lily handle that end. She's probably the one that should take it on because she's more apt not to set him off.”
Thinking about his temper and how he lashed out when angry, James gave a slow nod, understanding that part. “Alright. We'll do that. I just—until then, I want to get more of a feel about what we're dealing with. It—I won't get in trouble, I swear, or make it worse, I just have to know.”
“Understood,” Albus told him with a gentle smile. “Just let Lily take on any interactions. Follow her lead, James, and don't let your temper get the better of you. That won't help anything.”
“Easier said than done, Albus,” James snorted, shaking his head. “Some of this—yeah, I'm going to have problems there. Especially with Sirius. I don't give a shite what anyone says, he should not be in that kind of relationship with Harry! And I'm going to make that clear to him at some point. He's not Harry and can defend himself.”
“I would suggest that you be cautious, James,” Albus schooled firmly. “Sirius is apt to be touchy on many fronts, especially because of what happened.”
“That I get,” James sighed. “Still, he doesn’t need to be in a relationship with his godson.”
“Just don't aggravate something already horrible,” Albus told him softly.
“I'll try,” James said. Shaking his head, he then added, “Alright, I’m going to go help Lily with the kids. This is going to end up bad, we know it. Especially for them in that school. So, we need to spend time with them setting up something that might help. I don't know what though.”
Standing with a groan, Albus said, “I'll assist. We'll come up with something, James. Don't worry. It's rough now, but will settle soon.”
“I sure as hell hope so, because I don't think any of us can take much more,” James snorted.

Bolting upright, Harry's eyes were wide as he panted heavily, shaking. Bathed in sweat, he felt his heart hammering. It was another of those nightmares about things that had happened in the past. Though it was based in reality with things that had happened, like with most nightmares, it morphed into something far worse. That's what made it worse than the flashbacks he got.
Head dropping back, eyes shut, he tried to calm himself using a few of the suggestions from his Mind Healer and holding Bugs, who hopped up onto his legs. However, he about screamed when he felt someone touch him. Eyes flying open, he looked around in a panic until he realized it was Sirius. Slumping slightly, shaking harder, he shook his head.
Inching closer to Harry, Sirius wrapped an arm around him then pulled him close. “Another nightmare?” He asked softly, assuming that's what it was. Harry had nightmares all the time, sometimes to the point he could barely sleep from them. With what they all knew of his life, that was understandable.
“Yeah,” Harry muttered, clutching Bugs tighter. Shaking his head, he tried to get rid of the images that came from this one. Unlike some he got that were out of the blue with nothing to trigger them, this one he knew what brought it on. He just wasn't going to say anything to Sirius. It was Padfoot. Every time Sirius changed into the dog it triggered nightmares that were based on things from his past. They were about the worst he had to deal with because those nightmares forced Sirius as Padfoot into the role of the dogs from his past. That he hated. He wouldn't say anything though, because he didn't want Sirius to feel bad or make it to where he wouldn't change around him. After all, as time went on, the dreams seemed to die down. He hoped they would eventually stop at some point.
Stroking Harry's head, Sirius just held him. “It's just a dream, Harry. Those are bad, trust me I know that, but it's not real.”
“I know,” Harry nodded. “They sure as hell seem like it when you're in the middle of them, though.”
“Oh yeah,” Sirius snorted. “That I know all about.” Kissing him on the head, he said, “Come on, lay down with me. I'll hold you. You know that nothing in the world can hurt you if I do that.”
Shuddering slightly at some of the imagery from the dream and how it related to Sirius, Harry sighed then nodded. He'd deal with it. Right now, it was still just there and in his face. As he distanced himself from it, he could cope better. One of the things he knew was that nothing those two cunts from his past could ever try would force Sirius to do what was in that dream. They weren't magical, of course, and couldn't go about it that way. He didn't always understand some of the magical stuff, but knew there was a way to almost take over someone's mind and force them to do something. Muggles couldn't do that though, so the cunts would never manage. Besides, they wouldn't know what hit them if they had to deal with Sirius.
Shifting around as Sirius held him, Harry wrapped around his lover as they laid down, holding Bugs with one arm as he did. Yeah, it was just a dream. He could deal with it. Sirius was here, holding him. That alone made him feel safe as the man always had his wand close. His dads were just down the hall. Nothing would get by them. Then there was the fact that no one, anywhere, could get into this house if they weren't keyed into the wards. He was perfectly safe. All he had to do was keep reminding himself of that.

A.N. - There is an Easter Egg somewhere in this that will be chuckle-worthy for those that catch it! Let's see how many of you get it! :D

Also, there isn't much written on the Moon Gazing Hare. What I used is part of the legend. I just twisted it to make what I needed out of it. And, yes, it's one of the legends that make up the mythos of the Easter Bunny!
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Lucky Strike