Chapter 1 – The Letter

The wind blew through the Devon countryside, rattling the open windows of the Tudor house. It still looked the same as it had that day, seven years ago when Sirius had showed it to his best friend. The inside, however, showed how much time had passed. No longer was it the home of four-year-old Harry Potter and his two guardians. It now housed the 11 year old Harry, Remus Lupin, Sirius Black, his wife Alex and their two year old daughter, Kura, and of course Harry's 7 year old golden retriever Jethro.

"Harry! There's an owl!" Sirius called, pausing in arranging Kura's breakfast. It was only 7 o'clock, but Harry had woken them all up, absurdly early. A small part of Sirius wanted to scold him, but the dominant part of him was almost as excited as Harry was. It was his 11th birthday today and they were waiting for the owl from Hogwarts. Sirius didn't know how he felt about that; Harry was growing up. For the first time in seven years, he and Harry would be apart for more than a week. But then, Harry would have a great time at Hogwarts; he couldn't deny that.

"Is it…is it from Hogwarts?" Harry called back, already racing down the stairs.

"I don't know, do I? I'm a bit preoccupied" Sirius set the small bowl of porridge on the highchair for Kura, and grabbed the spoon. Kura had developed a keen interest in flinging her food everywhere when she had the spoon, so Sirius had to hold the spoon for her.

"Well it wasn't like I wanted a lie in" Remus' sarcastic voice followed Harry into the room. Harry charged into the kitchen at such high speed that he slipped on the floor. Kura laughed her head off at the sight of her brother on the floor, and Sirius had to try his utmost not to laugh. Remus pulled him to his feet and smirked.

"Glad we could be of use then" Harry retorted. Sirius looked at him and nodded in approval of the quick retort. Harry grinned back and reached towards the owl. "It's from Neville, he says he got his letter" Harry was obviously trying not to sound disappointed that it wasn't his letter, but he did perk up somewhat when he saw the present from Neville.

"Remus where did you put the presents? No Kura, don't do that" Sirius admonished quickly, as the toddler reached towards the bowl of porridge, no doubt to throw it around the room or put it on her head. Remus snorted with amusement at Sirius' worried face.

"I've got them. Happy Birthday Harry" Alex entered the kitchen; arms laden with neatly wrapped parcels. She placed a kiss on Kura's head and placed the parcels on the table.

"Thank you" Harry said, before tearing into the large pile of presents. By the time he'd opened his presents, Harry had had the full Wimbourne Wasps kit, seven miniature Wasps players and tickets to see the Wasps play the Cannons. Sirius had bought four – so Ron could go with them. That had been Ron's secret birthday present; Sirius had bought the tickets in March, but had asked Ron not to say anything to Harry. It hadn't been easy for him, that much had been pretty obvious, but he had managed it.

"So is this what Ron's been bursting to tell me since March?" Harry asked amusedly.

"He never told you though, did he?" Sirius said triumphantly. He then froze as a fistful of porridge hit his face. He'd paid too much attention to Harry and not enough attention to the curly haired toddler in front of him. There was silence in the kitchen for about five seconds, and then the small room exploded with laughter. Sirius tried to look annoyed, but failed as his deep, bark like laugh joined the others.

"Right, I think you can help her with her breakfast now. I don't even like porridge" Sirius said, rising to his feet and wiping the porridge off his face. He was meant to be angry, but one look at his daughter's cherubic face, framed with curly black hair and his heart melted. He couldn't stay angry with that beautiful little girl, especially not when she was still giggling. He leaned forward and placed a kiss on Kura's head, and then turned around angrily to face Harry and Remus.

"I suppose you think that was funny, do you?"

Harry was beside himself with amusement, but Remus managed to force out a "yes"

"I can honestly say that was one of the best things I've ever seen. Kura, if you never do anything remotely interesting ever again, I will still love you for doing that"

"Well, I see where I stand in this family" Sirius retorted. He wasn't really annoyed anymore, but he felt like he should play up to it. Alex passed Harry two slices of toast and he sat down, constantly shooting glances out of the window.

"Harry, if you keep looking it's never going to come" Alex warned. Harry looked up and frowned, he was obviously trying not to think about that. Sirius smiled and quickly left the room. He knew that Harry wouldn't leave the kitchen now until the owl came, so he might as well go and get the 'other' present. Dumbledore had given it to Sirius a few years ago to give to Harry. Sirius had kept it back specially for after his letter came.

"That's an owl Harry" Remus announced almost as soon as Sirius re-entered the room. Harry ran to the window and stared at the approaching owl. Sirius rolled his eyes and placed the present on the table, watching with amusement as Harry removed the letter before the owl had landed properly. Patience was most definitely not a virtue that he possessed. He tore open the envelope and scanned the contents, before letting out a whoop of sheer joy.

"This is it. I'm going to Hogwarts!" Harry shouted happily, dancing with sheer joy. Sirius jumped up and hugged him. He'd known that Harry would get in to Hogwarts, but he was overjoyed anyway. The joy was marred by a small pang of sadness. Harry was growing up; he was no longer the little boy who had nearly wept with excitement when they'd taken him to a toyshop. Sirius had raised him for seven years after rescuing him from the Dursleys, but now it didn't seem like long enough. Sirius almost felt jealous of Harry, Hogwarts definitely had been the best years of his life. One glance at his beautiful wife and daughter told him that he was being stupid. He'd had his time at Hogwarts, and now it was Harry's turn.

He couldn't help but think that the last part of James and Lily would truly be gone. Harry was so like them both it almost hurt. He looked almost identical to James, but his personality was more like Lily's. He glanced over at Remus, and could tell from his facial expression that he was thinking the same. It was silly really; it wasn't like they'd never see him again. He'd come back for Christmas and summer, not to mention that they would write to him, and when Sirius could face it, they'd have the mirror.

"Harry, I have something final to give you. But it's not really a gift from me, it's from your dad" Sirius said sadly.

Harry opened the parcel that Sirius handed him sadly. He opened it slowly and gasped as the silvery, fluid like material fell out. The invisibility cloak had served James well; he could only hope that it served Harry as well. Not that he wanted Harry to get into as much trouble as he and James had. Now that he was a parent, he couldn't understand how Mr and Mrs Potter had always managed to stay so calm with them. He was sure if he could see his young self now he'd probably kill him for being a little shit. He smiled bitterly as Harry ran his fingers through the cloak.

"This was your dad's. He would have killed me if I didn't give it to you for Hogwarts. Just don't get into too much trouble," Sirius added, trying and failing to sound stern. Remus shot him a look of disbelief, which Sirius deliberately ignored, trying to maintain the appearance of dignity. It was pointless however; his dignity had disappeared when Kura threw her porridge at him.

Harry threw himself at Sirius, hugging him tightly. Sirius placed a hand on the back of his head and hugged him tightly, trying to control his own grief. Harry pulled away eventually, his eyes red but a grin on his face. "Thank you"

"Just promise you won't do what we did, and don't visit the Slytherin common room just about every month" Remus added, watching Harry stare at the cloak.

"I don't know who you are referring to, but I don't recall any visits to the Slytherin common room" Alex snorted and Remus and Harry both laughed.

"No mummy, daddy do it" Kura's happy voice interrupted what Sirius was about to say. Alex was helping Kura with her breakfast, but it apparently wasn't good enough for the toddler. Sirius was a bit reluctant to help her with her breakfast, given what happened last time, but he sat down and did it anyway. Harry and Remus both raced out of the kitchen, apparently trying to get the bathroom first.

Alex wrapped her arms around Sirius shoulders as he helped Kura with her porridge. She kissed the back of his neck and just stood there, smiling at the two year old in front of them. Sirius smiled, Harry would have a great time at Hogwarts. And he had a life now; he had Alex and Kura to think about, as well as Harry and Remus. But before he even thought about that, he had other things to think about – most pressingly of which was the Quidditch match.

AN: So hi, new and returning readers alike. This is going to be the story of Harry's first four years, with Sirius and Remus as his guardians. I really hope you enjoy it. Please leave a review and let me know what you think.