Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Toonie\'s Love	By : SpeedyTomato Category: Harry Potter > Slash - Male/Male > Harry/Sirius Views: 50460 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 10
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and make no money off this story.

Chapter List
- 22
- 23
- 24
Beta'd by the amazing Tenchi. Love you, woman, you're the best!

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

A reminder of what's on my profile: reviews whinging or complaining about lack 'o smut in stories get deleted. If you want something that is one long, smut-filled story, find something else to read as my work isn't for you.

Chapter 23

A bit flustered, grabbing items which were out of place and holding them, Petunia called, “Coming,” as she made her way towards the front door after hearing a knock. Though she wasn't expecting company, it wasn't odd for a couple of the friends she made in town to show up unannounced. She actually found she adored them dropping by as it was so much fun to just sit and talk. Though the house wasn't spotless like normal, since she had been working in the backyard, it was passable. She just hoped they'd ignore the mess.
As she held the items she picked up, just small bits and bobs, she opened the door with a smile. Then her smile grew into a happy grin when she saw PJ, his godfather and his friend standing there. “Oh, this is a wonderful surprise,” she exclaimed, stepping forward and pulling Harry into a one-armed hug.
With a grin himself, Harry hugged her back then said, “I wanted to come check on you while I tend to a couple bits. My thought was a surprise would be nice.”
“It is!” She told him, motioning all to come in. Her assumption was they used a glamour or something so no one recognized them. “Let me just put this stuff up while you have a seat in the living room. I'll grab tea then we'll talk.”
“Don't fuss too much,” Harry told her, but motioned Sirius and Remus to follow as he led the way to the room she was talking about.
Petunia hurriedly put up the few things she was holding then went to the kitchen to get the tea ready. This was wonderful and she'd love talking to PJ for a time!

About a half an hour after arriving at the house, PJ and Petunia were alone. Sirius and Remus decided to give them some time so they could talk, so they were out wandering the town, picking up a few items PJ wanted, like chocolate. As the bit with the bank was done and PJ only had a limited amount of time on the Portkey, they thought this best.
As he petted Hedwig, who was perched by him on the chair and going to come home with them, PJ listened to his aunt talk enthusiastically about her new life. It pleased him she was doing quite well and was happy. After all those rotten years with Uncle Vernon, it was good she finally didn't have to worry about so much.
After having talked for a time about all she had going on and the people, Petunia settled back, pleased. “Sorry, didn't mean to talk your ear off,” she told him, looking a tad sheepish.
“Nothing to worry about,” PJ chuckled, grinning just a tad. “I'm glad to know you're settling in and comfortable. It was something I worried about, honestly, since you were so used to Little Whinging.”
“It took a bit, but I am,” Petunia admitted honestly. “I didn't think I'd manage as it's so different, but I am. It helps the folks in town aren't the nosy type and don't ask questions. They're fairly accepting of most, from what I've seen and dealt with.”
“They are, part of the reason I bought the house,” PJ explained. “I didn't need somewhere which was the type of place they felt compelled to ask too many questions. After all, I have plenty to hide.”
“Very true,” Petunia nodded with a sigh.
“I took a day and finally read through all the papers on this mess,” she then told him, changing topics. “And I've been going out to buy that Prophet as well to keep up on what's going on. You know I have a subscription to one of the papers you are published in regularly, obviously, but I’m trying to keep up with all of them, especially your articles.”
PJ then wondered what was coming from this, so he reminded her, “The Prophet—take what they say with a grain of salt. They are about as bad as Muggle tabloids anymore.”
“I've noticed,” she told him with a sigh and shake of her head. “While they tell some of the truth, it's nowhere near what others do. They skip a lot of details.”
“Oh yes,” PJ nodded, giving a snort and roll of his eyes. “I hate that rag, honestly.”
“After some of what I read about you, I can only imagine why,” she told him, looking amused.
“When you get that look...” PJ trailed off, chuckling and shaking his head.
“They are having a rather good time when it comes to your 'romance' with Sirius,” she told him, looking even more amused, shoulders shaking.
“Way too much,” PJ groaned, leaning back and scrubbing his hands through his hair. “It's taken a backseat to things like Hogsmeade being blown up!”
“I did notice that as well,” Petunia chuckled, smiling. “And that Rita whatever her name is seemed to take sadistic glee in the reporting as well.” Then she sobered up and asked, “The other details she gave—will they cause problems?”
“They shouldn't,” PJ told her with a heavy sigh. “The Animagus bit infuriated me, but they didn't give a description beyond the color, which is good. Other bits—those are the standard my publisher gives out. I'm sure part of those articles helped me sell a lot of books, though it bugged me she put it out there for the whole world to see.”
After taking in what he said and thinking it over for a moment or so, Petunia nodded. “True. It wasn't too personal. Though that one picture of you and Sirius looked like it was.” Before PJ could explain, she asked, keeping a gentle tone, “Is there something going on there? I mean that picture looked like you were about to kiss.” Then she added hastily, “Remember; you told me you're bisexual and it doesn't matter.”
“We weren't,” PJ told her honestly. “It was in broad daylight after the attack in Hogsmeade with me giving my statement to the DMLE right before the picture was taken. He had been checking me over for injuries. Though I admit that's probably what it looked like.”
Then, with a heavy sigh, he looked down, clasping his hands and said, honestly, “We're trying, Toonie. I know it sounds odd, what with him being my godfather, but we are. Something—well, I won't go into details, but there was a bit of a mistake on my part one night after I ran into him. Since then—we've both been interested.”
“He's you're godfather,” she said softly, though wanted to hear his reasoning before she grew too upset.
“And we don't really know each other beyond letters we had so much to hide in,” PJ told her with a shake of his head. Stopping, he then tried to decide how to explain this. After a moment, he told her, “Truthfully, Sirius is probably the one person in the world I can be myself with. I don't have to hide who I really am with him. Anyone else I probably would. It's a case of I would be too leery to tell anyone until years later and I don't want to hide it. Let's face it, if something went wrong, plenty would run straight to people I don't want knowing. And it's not fair to anyone to hide this secret.”
“I don't suppose I thought about it in such a way,” Petunia admitted quietly, shaking his head.
“Though I've not really wanted for any kind of relationship, I always had it in the back of my mind I would end up having to hide so much and not ever tell them. This way, I don't. Sirius knows and will keep the secret, even if we get in a fight of some kind. Plenty wouldn't and we both know it.” Lowering his voice, he then added, “And it's wonderful to be myself with someone and not have to hide. It really is.”
“More I didn't think about,” Petunia told him with a shake of her head. With Vernon, she had told him about her sister going in so she didn't have to hide anything. PJ—well, he had a ton to hide and really couldn't reveal it until he was certain someone wouldn't tell and it could take years.
Then, clearing her throat, she asked, “Is it working out? I don't want details, of course, but—you know.”
“Quite well,” PJ told her, smiling again. “We're taking it slow and seeing where it leads. One of things we discussed is if it doesn't look like it's working out, we'll end it. No chance either of us want to ruin the other relationship.”
“True, but it's not always that easy, PJ,” she counseled. “We all go in with the best intentions, but sometimes cling to a relationship that won't work and we know it.”
“Again, true,” he agreed with a nod. “In this case, we want to preserve the other one, so I think we can manage. We'll see.”
“Are you enjoying it?” She then asked softly.
“Very much,” he told her with a big smile. “We're getting to know each other in plenty of ways, something we couldn't do for so long, and we’re having fun. It's going slow, like we want. And it's a lot of fun. We usually either double-date with Remus and Tonks or Remus tags along. And it's fine with us.”
“Good,” she told him with a bigger smile. “Just—take it slow, please. I know you've never been serious about anyone and rushing in leads to plenty, like you thinking lust is love.”
“We are, trust me,” he assured her. Then, quietly, he added, “Thanks for looking out for me, though.”
“Part of my job. I didn't get to do it much before, what with how far away I was, and I want to help now,” she told him honestly. “And if you need to talk or want advice, call. I do it with you for so much, this is an area I want you to with me. While I don't have the best track record of picking one for myself, I know the mistakes I made and have seen with others.”
“I will, you have my word,” he assured her. “You did fine, Toonie. From what I know, you helped Dudley plenty. Your mistakes would mean you could see a lot I probably couldn't.” Then he chuckled and added, “Just don't go threatening Sirius with the standard about dating me. I doubt it would work with him.”
“No, the effect would be rather lost,” she admitted with a soft chuckle and smile.
Then she changed topics, she began asking about other areas, like work, his books and such so they could get caught up, something she adored. This was the first time he could visit for some time without the fear of being caught and she would enjoy it immensely. She also wanted to cover what PJ said could help keep her safe, like pictures of people she needed to watch out for. Either way, it was something she adored, even with the bad mixed in.

A couple hours after arriving home from Switzerland, the three were seated at the kitchen table. Remus and Sirius were going over some bits which had come in while they were gone while PJ had books spread out all over, doing research for his novel. While they worked, the three were talking and joking around, just relaxing. Though it wasn't a stressful trip, it was still a good jaunt to take and wore them out.
After taking a sip of the hot chocolate he had picked up during the adventure, Remus smiled and was about to comment on it when he heard the front door open. Brow furrowing when he heard it was Alastor, something he could tell by the thunking of his artificial leg, he waited to see what was going on. As nothing horrid had happened, he didn't expect anything too stressful, but wanted to make sure.
Alastor came into the kitchen and looked around, then nodded, pleased the three were finally back. While he knew they would be gone for the day tending to something or other, he had checked in a couple times as he had something quite important to pass along. He took a seat with a groan then launched in before anyone could say anything. “I have some information to pass and it's important.”
“What's going on?” Sirius asked, glancing at PJ who was gathering up his work, planning to vanish like he always did when it dealt with Order business.
“Lad, you need to stay for this,” Alastor told PJ as it looked like he was going to leave. “It pertains to you.”
Not liking the sound of that at all, PJ looked at him then glanced between Remus and Sirius before asking, “What's going on?”
“Snape was summoned today. One of the bits he picked up was the evil idiot is targeting you as a way to get to plenty. We think it's to get to Sirius, but not sure. Either way, you need to take someone with you when you go out from now on, it doesn't matter where it is or how long you'll be gone,” he told PJ bluntly. “As these aren't mere threats, you'll have plenty hunting you to gain favor.”
“Shit,” Sirius groaned, scrubbing a hand over his face, teeth grinding.
“Bloody wonderful,” PJ moaned, shaking his head. This he didn't need. “Why me?” He asked no one in particular, though figured it had to do with Sirius rather than anything to do with the parts of his life most didn't know about.
“This is the way it works anymore,” Alastor grunted, looking sour. “All Snape said is the maniac wants to start hitting where it hurts. You're it for Sirius. Others were mentioned, not just you, when it comes to Order members, so you're not alone. Most attached to those in the Order know they are a target. You didn't, so we wanted to give you fair warning.”
“We'll deal accordingly, Alastor,” Remus told him, looking at the slightly upset PJ. “Sirius and I will go with him whenever he goes out.”
“Make sure you do. And protect your own backsides while you do,” Alastor told him. “If he has some of his Death Eaters going after PJ, they'll love catching both of you as well. It'll just add to the prize there. Watch your backs, all of you.”
“We will, never fear.” Sirius assured him, looking plenty upset. “The phones—yeah, we'll probably need them and plenty more to help.”
“If it's a big enough production, grab a couple of us,” Alastor told him. “Albus wants us to put up a sign-up sheet here so those that don't have plenty around all the time can arrange for some people to go with them, especially in Magical areas. Muggle—you still need to watch, but if it's busy enough, you'll be safer. Avail yourselves of it if you have to. No one is going to complain, Sirius.”
“We might have to,” Sirius told him with a shake of his head, already not liking this as there were some bits PJ had to go it alone, like with sources and such. It was something they were going to have to work with when the situation came up.
“We'll do what we can, don't worry,” Remus assured him. Like with Sirius, he realized this was far more complicated than it appeared on the surface to most, so it was going to take planning, plenty of it.
As they now had plenty to work out, he wanted to get the other two alone, so Sirius was going to try to hurry Alastor along. “Anything else we need to know?” He asked, hoping there wasn’t so they could get some plans in place, fast.
“Not for you, no, but we now have to find a way to get in touch with that Du Bois reporter. A direct threat was leveled at him as well. Albus is going to attempt to send something through the wire service offices and hope they don't take it as a joke. We don't know. Short of going to the damned States or France, we don't know what to do. From what Snape said, there is an article coming about known Death Eaters and influence in the highest levels of government. At least that's what the teaser said. Snape thinks the maniac is going for what he does here; intimidation to stop it. We know it works with most reporters here in the UK. I don't think he realizes it doesn't elsewhere. Who knows. From what we heard, this Du Bois has been in the country. Let's see what we can do.”
“No one knows what he even looks like,” Sirius told him, though was pleased PJ overheard so he could get word to his friend.
“True,” Alastor grunted. “In this case, it won't take much digging to get a picture or something. Either way, though I'm sure he's safer than most, Albus wants to try, so we will.”
“I'm sure they'll appreciate it, even if we aren't being seen in the best of lights right now,” Remus tossed out there with a sigh.
“We hope,” Alastor sighed. “We've got a few other targets to warn as well. Threats are being tossed about aplenty over some of this mess. I've spent the better part of the day running around to warn people. We're not sure why on some, others we know what might be the reason, such as scaring them into shutting up about plenty. Either way, he's hopping mad and Albus is sure there is a big showing from him coming very soon. It's something I agree with.”
“After all that's come out, it wouldn't surprise me a bit,” Sirius told him honestly, shaking his head. “We've seen the Death Eaters do their thing in a more overt way, just not him showing his ugly mug. It's coming and it'll be in a big way no one can deny.”
“You'll get no argument from me over that guess as I agree,” Alastor groaned. “He's just waiting to do it in spectacular fashion, nothing more. Snape said he's more unhinged than ever because he's infuriated over so much. Plenty else is pushing his buttons as well. The more heat comes, the worse it'll be, whatever it is.”
“Then we're in for hell on earth,” Sirius added quietly.
“Indeed,” Alastor agreed. Then, with a groan, he stood. “Right, let me go finish getting in touch with people. Just heed the warning and don't go it alone, lad.” He told PJ. “Sirius and Remus know what they're doing, so listen to them.”
“I will, don't worry,” PJ told him, already planning to get in touch with Du Bois as fast as he could. He knew his friend was in the country, so he needed to protect himself the best he could.
“Thanks, Alastor,” Sirius told him honestly. A warning was damned good, so they had plenty to work out when it came to dealing with the newest mess.
“Anytime,” Alastor nodded then left, planning to finish soon so he could get some much needed rest.
The second he heard the front door shut then the crack of Apparation, PJ was out of his seat, grabbing at his phone. “I'll be right back. There is a phone call I have to make,” he mumbled, taking off out of the kitchen making sure to get himself somewhere no one could overhear if they came in. Yeah, he sure as hell was warning Du Bois and then calling the main offices.
As he watched PJ go, Sirius gave a heavy sigh. “This isn't good,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Makes me wonder if that evil arse isn't trying to go after me as a way to entice Harry back.”
“It might be,” Remus told him honestly, shaking his head. “Let's see who else he's leveled threats at to judge.” Then, looking slightly amused, he added, “It's not like it'll work, keep that in mind.”
“True,” Sirius grinned, chuckling softly. Then, sobering up, he added, “It's just the idea, nothing more.”
“I bet PJ is going to end up more of a target than just this bit,” Remus added softly, eying the door. “We know some of what he has coming and it won't sit well. His alter ego will end up a target as well, though that side of him will be better protected.”
“Nope,” Sirius groaned, scrubbing both hands through his hair. “We'll manage, either way. He's hidden this long, so he can keep on doing it. We just worry about the PJ part, nothing more. The rest will sort itself out as it comes.” However, even saying such things didn't mean he relaxed. He wasn't, that's for damned sure. They now had plenty to get into place and work around, so they needed to start. It was going to take time, something he planned to make.

Severus was seated in his favorite comfortable chair late that night, surrounded by the quiet company of his books in the library at Spinners End. It had been a bad day. Not only did he have to deal with the lunatic known as the Dark Lord, but Albus. Sometimes, he wasn't sure which one was worse. While he believed in what he was doing and knew it helped, it didn't mean dealing with the emotional impact of both ends of the spectrum was easy. It wasn't and grew harder with each passing day.
As he sipped his brandy, something he didn't indulge in much, he pondered all that was going on, from all sides. He needed to put all the information he had together to sort out how to best handle the mess going on. The Dark Lord needed to die, no doubt there, but he was wondering if going about it the way Albus wanted wasn't the right path. Albus had his own agenda, like always. Though usually right about so much, he now was pondering the idea that he wasn't. Which left him in a quandary of what to do.
When the interview with Potter hit the paper, something he was convinced was authentic, he had leaned one way on the matter, including that Potter needed to return. Since then though, with so much else he was hearing, he wondered if he was wrong. Potter—some of what Black and others said made sense, a great deal of it. He also pondered ends they hadn't brought up. Factoring in since then, because he had a clearer head on the matter, he remembered the promise he made so long ago, the one to protect Potter. While he did so in a time of high emotion, he had still made it to Lily. If this whole mess played out how Albus wanted, something he was sure the old man was already pressing for though couching it in the bit to find him for protection was a reason to find Potter, he wouldn't fulfill that promise if Potter faced the maniac. No, it was setting him up to die despite what that Prophecy said. Nowhere in that interview did it say Potter died, just that the Horcrux was removed. Which probably meant Albus was still plotting to ensure it was fulfilled, to the letter probably.
As he pondered the situation more, he wondered what he should do. While he was helping in the hunt for Potter, he wondered if he shouldn't try to get word to the spoiled man to hide himself better. While Potter was quite good at protecting himself since no one had a clue where he was and hadn't been able to find him, he needed to stay even more alert than before.
After downing the last of his brandy, he looked in the empty snifter, thinking the whole mess over. Maybe, just maybe, he needed to. Oh, he would press on with so much he was doing now, but there could be some spanners tossed into it and him running them in circles. Then he thought he should write a letter to Petunia. While she was hidden, she might get it. If she did, she could probably contact her nephew and tell him to hide himself better. It might be worth a shot until he could think of another way to protect the man.
With a tired sigh, he sat the snifter aside then leaned back and shut his eyes. Yes, he would write to Petunia and hope like hell she didn't just destroy the letter without reading it. Though a long shot, he would try then go from there. After this—he was about to play both ends against the middle and hope like hell Potter kept his head down. It might drag the war out longer, but Lily's son would be safe. For Lily's sake. It was all that mattered to him in the end.
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Toonie\'s Love