Worry Is Another Word For Love

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/44551699.

Rating: General Audiences

Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: Gen
Fandom: Harry Potter - J. K. Rowling
Relationships: Sirius Black & Harry Potter, Harry Potter & Ron Weasley, Sirius Black
& Remus Lupin, Sirius Black/Remus Lupin
Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Sirius Black, Minor Characters
Additional Tags: Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, The Whomping
Willow (Harry Potter), Arthur Weasley's Flying Ford Anglia, Alternate
Universe - Canon Divergence, Sirius Black Free from Azkaban, Might
be OOC, Don't Like Don't Read, Hogwarts Second Year, Good Parent
Sirius Black, Godfather and godson bonding, Father-Son Relationship,
My First Work in This Fandom
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2023-01-26 Words: 2,744 Chapters: 1/1
 Worry Is Another Word For Love
by maskofglass

Summary

"You're missing the point. Your parents' sacrifice isn't something to be gambled with. What if
you've been seriously hurt, Harry? How do you think they would feel?" Sirius tried, but it
was no use when Harry snaps at the mention of his parents.

"Why does that matter? They're gone." Harry snapped.

Sirius and Remus were there the night Harry and Ron crash Mr. Weasley's enchanted car into
the Whomping Willow. The two realize it's time to step into their duties as Harry's guardians
and react the same way his parents would.

Notes

My first Harry Potter FanFic!

AU where Sirius escaped Azkaban earlier (when he found out Harry has come to Hogwarts),
was freed, and is raising Harry with Remus. You can read this as WolfStar.

I also decided to make this FanFic a slight parallel to the PoA scene where Remus rebukes
Harry for not handing in the Marauders' Map.

slight tw for mentioned and implied abuse.

enjoy reading :)
"You were seen by no less than seven muggles." was the first thing Severus Snape said since
Harry and Ron entered the room.

The potions professor ripped the Daily Prophet newspaper away harshly, eyeing the two boys
who stood stiffly in front of him.

"Do you have any idea how serious this is? You have risked the exposure of our world."
Snape said firmly. The lecture continued, and the fortunate surprise of said lecture ending
wasn't that relieving as Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall entered Snape's
office.

"Headmaster," Snape started explaining, "these boys have flouted the Decree for the
Restriction of Underage Wizardry."

The boys' thoughts have been flooded with the trouble they're facing as the three professors
try to come up with a decision on what to do with the recent events.

When Dumbledore declared that, being the Head of Gryffindor House, McGonagall decides
to determine the appropriate action to take, Ron immediately assumed one thing.

"We'll go and get our stuff, then," Ron said silently as he kept his head down in both shame
and misery, but his statement was loud enough for the three professors to hear.

McGonagall was rather taken aback, "What are you talking about, Mr. Weasley?" she asked.

"You're going to expel us, aren't you?"

"Not today, Mr. Weasley," McGonagall said. However, it was obvious that there was a 'but'.
That may not be obvious to the boys who shared a smile, thinking it was the end of their
misery.

McGonagall realized she had to continue, "but I must impress on both of you the seriousness
of what you have done. I'm afraid I have no choice but to inform your guardians about what
happened tonight."

Ron held his head low as he accepted the consequences. Harry, himself, could not, and
decided to protest.

"No-- Please, Professor McGonagall, anything but that." Harry pleaded. He was way too up
in his head about all the possibilities that could happen once they find out. Sirius and Remus
are gonna bloody kill him.

"We had an agreement with your guardians, especially your godfather, Mr. Black, that they
must be informed whenever certain things like this occur, Mr. Potter. As a matter of fact,
they'd been looking for you since they were told you weren't on the train." Dumbledore
explained.

The green-eyed boy's stomach churned at the reminder. Sirius and Remus were there to see
him before he left for Hogwarts. But seeing as they got to King's Cross late, they were only
able to say goodbye at the entrance and left Harry with the Weasleys.

Sometimes Harry'd forget that there was actually someone there who was looking out for
him. Growing up with the Dursleys for eleven years, which was not too far ago, had that
effect.

He remembered getting locked in the cupboard under the stairs all because he accidentally
performed magic, and he didn't even know it was magic. In fact, he didn't even know he was
a wizard until he was eleven, nor did he know the truth about his parents.

And Sirius, an ex-convict from Azkaban who was held on a fortunately fair trial as soon as he
heard Harry Potter had come to Hogwarts, was more than glad to tell Harry everything the
boy didn't know about, all with the help of Remus.
Since then, they'd been taking care of Harry. Still, the latter was trying to adjust to having a
family.

Harry bit his lip as there was nothing he could do but accept his fate. This couldn't be
happening. After all, Sirius had done way crazier things when he was at Hogwarts, as told
from his stories. He couldn't get angry at Harry for this, he shouldn't have the right. But then
again, when had things ever gone Harry's way?

"In the meantime, you shall wait in the benches by the hall and we'll call you as soon as your
guardians arrive."

"This is the first time they'll ever get angry with me. I physically and mentally can't do this,
Ron. What if they don't want to take care of me anymore?"

Ron, as terrified as he was, tried his best to console his best friend. The redhead patted his
best friend's back awkwardly as they swung their legs nervously on the wooden bench.

Maybe he could just tell Sirius that the gateway to the platform was closed. Maybe he'd
listen. But that would just prove that Harry was stupid because he could've done something
better than drive that flying car.

A familiar whoosh of flame was heard through the door of Snape's office, where all the
professors stayed to talk once Harry and Ron's guardians have arrived.

"The boys are waiting outside, perhaps one of you can talk to them and we can discuss this
further."
Harry and Ron looked at each other, colour fading from their face as they heard the adults
talking. Both of them thought of doing another stupid thing like running away, but that would
lead them to much bigger trouble.

Harry was way too panicked that he wasn't even able to pick up the short talk of Remus and
Sirius in the office.

"I'll go talk to Harry." Remus volunteered, starting to walk out through the door.

"No, it's all right, Moony. I'll do it." Sirius replied.

"I'll go talk to Harry." Remus volunteered, starting to walk out through the door.

"No, it's all right, Moony. I'll do it." Sirius replied.

Remus sighed. Ever since they'd taken Harry in, Sirius mostly focused on being the fun and
cool godfather who didn't usually nag Harry when he'd done something reckless, so Remus
didn't know if it was the right thing to have Sirius do the talking.

"Sirius, are you sure--" Remus questioned, still unsure, but Sirius gave him a reassuring nod.

"I was worried, too, Remus. I know that I'm the type to cheer on Harry about this, which I
might do after we talk, but what happened tonight scared me as much as you."

Remus only replied with a simple smile, allowing Sirius to leave the room.

The door slammed open, revealing Sirius and Mrs. Weasley.

In a blink of an eye, Mrs. Weasley dragged Ron aside while Sirius slowly approached Harry.
He observed the boy closely, lifting his chin to check any cuts on his cheek. Once Sirius was
sure there were no injuries, he stood up as Harry kept his head down.

Sirius patted Harry's shoulder, "Come on, kid. Up."

At the signal, Harry stood up shakily as Sirius went to hold his hand gently, pulling him to
the nearest empty classroom he could find.

Once the pair entered an empty classroom, the door behind them was shut.

"Now, I haven't the faintest idea what you were thinking when you did what you did." Sirius
started, his arms crossed as he leaned on a table in front of Harry. "First, we heard you never
got on the train, and next, we hear you crashed a flying car into the Whomping Willow?”

Harry held his head down with no reply.

"You will explain to me what happened tonight, Harry James." his godfather stated firmly,
but not harshly.

Harry desperately wanted to explain, but the words were caught up in his throat. All he could
let out was, "The gateway... closed."

Sirius hummed, "And do you know why it closed?"

Harry merely shook his head.

Sirius sighed.
"I really don't, Pads, please, you have to believe me," Harry said. He couldn't even get to the
point that there was a house elf earlier in his room.

"I believe you, Harry." Sirius responded, "What I don't believe, is what you did to deal with
the situation."

Sirius walked closer to the boy, "The Whomping Willow is a dangerous artifact, something
worse could've happened. Your friend could've broken something more than his wand, you
could've been hurt or even worse!" he chided, his voice slightly rising.

"I didn't wish for that to happen, Sirius!" Harry argued, eyes glistening with tears through his
glasses.

"I know you didn't, Harry. But that doesn't mean it didn't happen anyway. If you never flew
Arthur's car then you would've never hit the Whomping Willow at all in the first place."
Sirius explained.

"What could I have done? I already told you that the gateway sealed itself for no reason." the
boy responded.

Sirius breathed heavily, "You have an owl. You could've sent a letter to me and Remus and
we could've figured out a way to get you and your friend to Hogwarts."

That silenced Harry. How could he be so stupid? He was so getting it now.

Seeing as he was at least putting some sense into the boy, Sirius continued his lecture, "Your
father never set much store for the rules either but he and your mother gave their lives to save
yours."

"Then, why are you angry with me? You and Dad have probably done crazier things than I
did when you were at Hogwarts." Harry mumbled clumsily. Which made Sirius sigh heavily
again.
"You're missing the point. Your parents' sacrifice isn't something to be gambled with. What if
you've been seriously hurt, Harry? How do you think they would feel?" Sirius tried, but it
was no use when Harry snaps at the mention of his parents.

"Why does that matter? They're gone." Harry snapped.

Sirius flinched. He probably deserved that for bringing up his parents without a warning.

Harry, though, wiped his eyes quickly, saying, "Sorry."

"Harry, kid--" Sirius continued to approach Harry, but as he did, Harry flinched back. Sirius
softened, he pulled a chair from one of the desks to sit in front of Harry and level with him.

Sirius sighed as he said, "I'm not angry. I'm just disappointed with you, Haz."

The boy held his head down. He was suddenly reminded of his time with the Dursleys, who
never let go of the opportunity to show their hatred toward Harry.

Harry's eyes stung with tears at the thought of Sirius being disappointed with him — and the
fact Remus probably was, too — it was the first time he'd disappointed someone who truly
cares for him, after all. But that wasn't just it. Someone truly cares for him. Along with the
thought of having someone care for him made him use all his power to stop the tears from
falling.

"I just don't want you to gamble their sacrifice by doing something as reckless as what you
did tonight. And as your godfather, it is my duty to protect you." Sirius rebuked gently, trying
to lower his gaze to take a look at Harry eye-to-eye.

"Well, I don't want to be someone you take care of just because you have to," Harry
mumbled. Although it was loud enough for Sirius
Sirius couldn't believe his ears. The boy he'd held since he was a baby, the boy he escaped
Azkaban for, the boy he'd die for, thought that he, himself, was some kind of — obligation —
to Sirius.

"Harry, can you look at me?" Sirius requested softly, laying a gentle hand on Harry's cheek.
He soon felt moisture on the boy's cheek and realized he'd been crying.

Hesitantly, Harry raised his head and the man was now faced with green, glassy eyes.

Eyes that looked like Lily's.

"I want you to listen to me very carefully, okay?" Sirius asked, and Harry nodded meekly.
"You're more than just an obligation to me. I may take care of you because it's what your
parents would've wanted when they assigned me as your godfather, but I want to take care of
you, too. And I can't do that when you willingly let yourself dive into danger." Sirius
explained rather calmly. He didn't yell and he didn't curse. It made Harry want to bawl his
eyes out even more.

The man continued, "Now, you will never do what you did tonight again, Harry, do you hear
me?" he said, voice escalating to a strict tone, but still didn't shout.

"Yes, sir," Harry responded, head starting to face the floor again. Sirius sighed
sympathetically as he smiled sadly. Seconds later, Harry was now nibbling on his lip and had
an unsure look on his face.

He's going to send me back to the Dursleys because I'm such a burden.

Sirius puts his hands on Harry's shoulder, "You are not a burden, Harry."

Harry's head shoots up in surprise, "What?"

The man smiled. "You know, you're not that different from your father as you think you are."

Judging by the look on Harry's face just mere seconds ago, it looked like he didn't want
someone to care for him. Sirius was no mind reader, but he can read the look on Harry's face
as it is the same as his father's. Harry bit his cheek and lip with a small frown. Whenever
James felt like he was a disturbance to someone and felt like he was a burden, he'd make that
face, too.

There came another look on Harry's face, which Sirius read as 'What do you mean?'

Sirius continued to explain when Harry raised a confused eyebrow, "Your expressions aren't
that different from your father's. I may not be an expert legilimens, but I happen to know
what you're thinking about just by that."

Harry shifted, "Oh."

There was a short streak of silence as Sirius brings his hand up to Harry's face, wiping the
tears on the latter's cheek with his thumb.

"Haz, I want you to understand that as much as I hate to berate you, I'd do it again and again
if it means you'll be safe. I will never get tired of reminding you that you're not alone and that
you can always ask for help from me and Remus." Sirius spoke slowly to make sure that
Harry understood.

"I understand." Harry sniffled as he said, "I'm just not used to someone caring so much, I'm
sorry." he admitted.

"You don't have to apologize, but you better get used to it," Sirius chuckled, "because I don't
see myself stopping anytime soon."
"It's just-- At the Dursleys... they'd probably be angrier that I didn't get myself killed. And
seeing how angry you were, I thought you'd send me back."

Sirius couldn't help his eyes from widening. "Oh, Haz."

When Sirius couldn't reply with anything other than that — because he was shaking with fury
at the Dursleys — Harry frowned, "Sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, Prongslet, and you will never go back to those
muggles." Sirius says, brushing Harry's bangs off of his forehead.

Harry lets out a small smile at the nickname, and Sirius' heart wrenches once he saw Lily and
James' smiles combined on the little boy's face.

"Come here, pup." Sirius invited, opening his arms to take Harry in for a hug. Harry so gladly
embraced his godfather, burying his face in his shoulder. As Sirius gave soft pats and rubs on
Harry's back, the former said, "Never scare us like that again, okay?"

On his shoulder, Sirius felt his godson nod against it with a whisper of, "I'm sorry." as he
hugged tighter.

Sirius swore that, if he could, he would just wrap Harry in a huge bubble charm if it means
that he will be protected at all times. And he was sure that that's what James and Lily
would've done, too.

Eventually, they both pulled back as Sirius responded reassuringly, "It's alright now." he
wiped Harry's face with his sleeve, "Don't go out with that weepy face, Moony would hate to
see you cry." Harry nodded again.

Sirius stood up slowly, "Come on, we still have to talk to Professor McGonagall and
Dumbledore."
This time, Harry sighed. He knew he was in for it now.

On the walk back to Snape's office, Sirius held Harry's hand, like it was a symbol to keep him
close and protected.

"I almost forgot to ask, Prongslet. How was it driving Arthur's car?" Sirius questioned.

Harry huffed a laugh, "It was rather scary, though. It's probably 'cause we were both scared
we couldn't get to Hogwarts. Oh, and did you know? We tried to find the train and just when
we thought we did, it was suddenly speeding right towards us! And then me and Ron..."

The conversation continued throughout their walk to the office. And maybe, just maybe,
Sirius was beaming proudly at his godson as Harry told his story because the latter was
following the Marauders' footsteps.
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