With hands that had long since stopped shaking at the sight of his mother’s handwriting, Sirius sat down at the table to read her letter.

As he read, James and Remus came up quietly behind him, letting him know without words that he was both wanted and appreciated.

Still, it wasn’t the same.

Not that he wanted anything to do with his family; he’d thought as much at least a hundred times a day. She’d certainly made her views crystal clear in the five years since he’d left for Hogwarts.

But it would be nice...to know your parents love you.