Welcome to the Family
Billy and Tommy looked around the large table, observing all the people present; everyone was talking cheerfully, as if they really were one big family, even though they did not share blood among them.
Wanda spoke with everyone while introducing her two sons; she was clearly happy, and they were received with the same joy by the rest.
All of that took them by surprise. Even in the past, their mother had never had such close friends; but seeing these women surrounding her, truly adoring her and having fun with every conversation, made Billy and Tommy see their mother's happiness with even greater clarity.
They listened attentively to the stories Susan was telling about Hermione and Harry's childhood. It all began with their first meeting in front of the house; when little Harry tried to move a ball with his mind because Wanda would not let him step off the sidewalk. Then came the time when Hermione and Harry believed Hermione would have her brain erased for discovering magic.
After that, she told how Daphne joined the group, and Astoria by simple transition. They also met Luna and her mother Pandora, who listened attentively, amused and dreamy, as if they were watching the memories materialize in front of them.
This was how the families had become united thanks to the little ones. Then came Draco's incorporation, along with his mother Narcissa, who seemed to be a strict woman with sharp words; especially those directed toward her cousin and Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, who was accompanied by a tall man named Remus Lupin. Behind them, a young woman with bubblegum-colored hair was bothering Harry and the others to sell her something that, from the distance, Billy and Tommy could not quite hear.
Billy looked toward Harry for a moment, understanding that all of this was thanks to him; that his mother had been happy all this time because of him; that Harry had been the support they themselves could not be. Rather than bother him, that earned Harry many points in their eyes. Without needing much, he had already earned their acceptance.
Meanwhile, Harry was trying to get Tonks off him. For some reason, she wanted to buy a couple of his grenades, which was quite suspicious, especially because she refused to say what she needed them for.
"… come on Harry, just three or four; they will be useful; please," Tonks said, putting her hands together and making an innocent childlike face. Although, of course, if she were not asking for objects of destruction, it might have worked.
"I am sorry, I do not want Aunt Andromeda showing up at my house asking for explanations," Harry responded, shaking his head. The most interesting thing about Andromeda Tonks, formerly Black, was that she was the kindest and softest of the three sisters; but her smile when scolding someone became truly terrifying.
Tonks understood that point; she trembled upon hearing her mother's name.
"She should not find out…" she murmured softly, hesitating.
"Then you should ask Draco. I think he still has some left," Harry said quickly, throwing Tonks toward his cousin like a sacrifice.
And it worked instantly. Tonks turned around, found Draco trying to go unnoticed, and when she saw her cousin's stare on him, he could only let out a sigh and say, "Thanks," in a sarcastic tone directed straight at Harry.
Harry observed the family gathered for a moment. Selene, Pandora, and Susan were teasing his mother, now that she had two more children, with the idea of finding her a partner. Obviously it would not work, but they enjoyed talking about romance; it was their way of making conversation. Wanda understood that; that was why it did not bother her.
Narcissa, meanwhile, caught Tonks before she could bother her son asking for something dangerous. Obviously Draco did not have anything; she had confiscated anything suspicious. In a corner, Daphne, Hermione, and the other girls were teasing Red, who was wearing a pink tutu; they had all teamed up to have some fun at his expense, since normally he was the one causing trouble for them.
Terra was sitting on top of the table, eating grapes that were almost the size of her head, but she looked truly happy. She wore a little dress identical to Wanda's; she was still her most loyal fan. By her side rested Dee, the little snake, lying down with total tranquility.
Remus approached Billy and Tommy with the intention of talking and helping them integrate. If he were not Sirius's corporate slave, he would probably be a great teacher.
"What's going on, pup?" Sirius asked as he approached Harry with a cheerful smile. "Looking at your new brothers?" he added, glancing toward Billy and Tommy. "I am sure that if James were alive, he would say something like: do not worry Harry, I will make sure you have many brothers; and he would say it with that arrogant smile of his, right before your mother hit him on the head," Sirius commented with amusement.
"Ahh…" Harry let out a light sigh and a smile. "No… I am just a bit relaxed. I felt like I was constantly in real chaos at Hogwarts; like I would lose control and could harm my friends or my family. I always had that in my head; I feel a bit silly too."
"Right; the puberty problem," Sirius added with a teasing smile.
Harry stared at him.
"Ahem… I mean, well, it happens to everyone. And to be honest, your school years were not exactly the calmest. Even in our years we were in the middle of a damn war, and still not as many crazy things happened as they do to you," Sirius added while giving him a pat on the back. "You need to relax a bit. You are studying so much that your stress must be through the roof. I have told you many times."
"And taking me to that secret place I do not know, but I am sure my mother will make you disappear if you take me?" Harry said, looking at him slightly.
"Exactly," Sirius replied, pointing at him as if he had gotten it perfectly right. "Hey, do you remember our adventure finding that secret place? It was fun, right?" he added quickly.
"We were almost killed by an army of golems; we almost released a dangerous and powerful entity that likely caused extinction in the Middle Ages and the Black Plague; and my mother almost killed you. How could I forget it?" Harry said calmly.
"Well, this time it will not be so dangerous," Sirius said quickly. "It will just be a boys' outing. How about that; I have had everything planned for years."
Harry stared at him for a moment; he felt it was a bad idea, although at the same time it sparked some interest.
"Come on; you can bring your new brothers. You can bond more. It will be interesting. You will also show them the magical world and what you are made of," Sirius said, conveniently omitting the dangerous part of the phrase.
"Why only boys?" Harry asked, since that was what bothered him the most; he doubted his mother would easily accept something like that.
"Selene wants to take the girls to a spa they went to before. She wants the little ones to go too; she says they are at the age of wanting to look pretty," Sirius explained while making comical gestures, imitating Selene's voice.
Harry understood immediately: Sirius had taken it as a challenge. There was nothing planned; he had probably just improvised it, but he wanted to take the boys while his cousin took the girls. His daily competitive instinct against Selene had awakened.
"If we do not get into trouble because of you, I could accept it," Harry said, letting out a sigh.
"Then it is settled. If I could not convince you, I would have had to kidnap you; good thing that will not be necessary," Sirius said with a wide smile. "I did not want to run for my life from Wanda," he added before walking away happily to tell his plan to Draco and, surely, the rest of the people present.
And so, an interesting plan began to form; one that, without knowing it, would become the most chaotic, fun, and exciting adventure they would never want to repeat again.