the_debt_of_time

Ginny threw her head back and laughed quietly, covering her mouth so that they
were not discovered. "Merlin, no. Fred and George taught me when they caught some
Ravenclaw bloke taking a fancy to me last year. They apparently locked him in a broom
cupboard for two days and then came and taught me the charm, in addition to a few nasty
hexes—both as a precaution."
Their conversation was brought to an immediate halt when they heard voices from
the other side of the door.
"I don't think I'm getting it. You're wasting your time, Sirius," Harry said.
"Don't get out of shape, son. I taught you how to walk, and I taught you how to
talk. I'm sure as hell going to be the one to teach you this."
"You taught me how to walk and talk?"
"Sure did. Bought you your first broom as well. Only hovered about a foot off the
ground, but still."
"What about my parents?" Harry asked.
Professor Lupin chimed in. "Your mum and dad were always there, but we were
around just as much. Or well... when we could be. The war was going on strong when you
were born, and with your parents in hiding, that left all the missions up to the rest of us."
"Really? What kind of missions?"
"Boring stuff," Sirius answered suspiciously fast. "Lots of travelling, nothing of
interest happened. Now hold the wand like this and then try it."
"What was my first word?" Harry asked.
There was a long moment of silence before Sirius said, "Er... I'm not exactly
allowed to say."
"Why not?"
"Because I made a Wizard's Oath to your dad that I'd keep it a secret. Your mum
would have hexed my arse raw if she knew you'd learnt it from me. Let's just pretend that
it was 'Snitch' and call it a day, yeah?"
Harry, Sirius, and Professor Lupin all laughed.
Outside the door, Ginny was silently chuckling, but Hermione was shaking her head
in disapproval despite the warmth she felt at overhearing Harry have such a sweet family
moment with his godfather.