When she noticed Harry's glance she stepped forward. In her brusque Scottish accent, she said, "It is nice to know that even the most undisciplined student can grow up and become a responsible adult. I don't know if it was that horrible place or marriage and parenthood that finally did it but it finally took hold. You, Mr Potter, should take note. You have a parent - or parents - now that love you. Mrs. Black was so upset at your disappearance Madam Pomfrey gave her a Calming Potion to prevent distress to her pregnancy." Harry couldn't help but wince at that.
The Transfiguration Professor continued, "You now have the parents which you should have had this whole time. That man would die for you without a moment's hesitation. How would you have felt if one of your family had gone off to do something dangerous and deliberately left you without a way to assist them? I believe Mr Black would have happily accepted another ten years in Azkaban then go through tonight again. And you put him, Remus, and all of your friends through that.
"Now, return to your dorm. I believe I will allow Mr and Mrs Black to determine your punishment." That sounded rather dire to Harry. "All of you, on your way now."
The girls left first but Padma first wrapped Harry into a fierce hug. Into his ear she whispered, "If you get yourself killed, I only hope your mum will leave me something to chew on when I finally get there." Then she was gone leaving Harry feeling the wet traces of her tears on his cheek.
"Come on, mate," Ron said as he clapped Harry on the shoulder. "It won't feel a bad in the morning."
"I don't know," Ernie disagreed. "That might just be the start of round two."
"I know," Ron agreed. "I thought Mum was bad, but Sirius was something else. She just yells. Sirius actually made sense. And then McGonagall on top of that! Plus the girls haven't really had their go at him yet."
Harry trailed along behind his friends as they discussed the night's events like spectators after a Quidditch match. He knew they were enjoying themselves at his expense. But he didn't really care.
Where most teenagers would have been furious at the dressing down he'd just received, he also realized Sirius was right. There were safer and better ways of handling going down to talk to Sasha. (Honestly, Harry never even thought of talking to Sirius about Sasha's invitation.) But that wasn't the key factor for Harry. For the first time, he'd been yelled at by a parent . Not by a teacher concerned only that he'd broken a rule or for being a 'freak' like with the Dursleys, but by a parent. Sirius's only concern was for Harry's safety and well-being.
It felt… nice.
....
The next morning was a Saturday and Harry woke to found an angry looking Hedwig perched on the end of his bed. Great, even his owl was angry at him. The white owl glared at him when he reached for the note attached to her leg. Once it was free, the owl launched herself into the air accidently bashing Harry in the head before flying out of the dorm.
Sure it was an accident.
Harry glanced at the note. It directed him to go directly to Professor McGonagall's office before breakfast. Harry groaned. Maybe he could go back to bed and pretend he hadn't seen the note. The thought of a punishment devised by Sirius was a bit scary. He glanced at the note again. There was a new note at the very bottom.
Now, Mr Potter.
With a wince Harry dragged himself out of bed, grabbed some clothes and walked into the showers.
Arriving at McGonagall's office he found the two Marauders along with Kalina holding Cassie. When Harry entered, Kalina immediately wrapped an arm around Harry in a hug that trapped a cooing Cassie in between them.
Then she smacked him in the head. Then hugged him again. Cassie started giggling.
"It's the hormones," Sirius confided to Remus.
"I can smack you too, honey," his wife offered without releasing Harry from her hug. When Sirius waved her off looking repentant, she released her hold on Harry but kept her free hand on his arm.
"Harry James Potter, you scared the hell out of us. That is not nice to do to a woman in my condition. But my loving husband has given me a gift to help me get over it. He gave your punishment to me." Seeing the evil smile on her face, Harry nervously glanced at Sirius. The traitor merely shrugged with a smirk.
"And what would that be?" Harry asked nervously.
"This weekend, you Mr Potter are all mine."
"What does that mean?" Kalina's smile grew. Harry started thinking about a show he'd once seen on Great White Sharks.
"We, Mr Potter, are going…. shopping. For two days you will be my pack mule at my beck and call. Plus you will be my dressing dummy; trying on anything I think would look cute on you.
That didn't sound too bad to Harry. It wasn't detention or getting grounded from his broom so it could be worse. Besides, Kalina was fun to be around. How bad could it be?
It was Hell.
Kalina and Fleur started in Harrods and moved out from there. The Blacks had learnt that their newest child would be a boy. So of course none of the perfectly good baby clothes and furniture would be appropriate. Harry pointed out that they were magical and colour changing charms were easy. The twin female glares he received told him to just shut up and carry their bags.