"If Sirius trusts you as his friend, that is good enough for me." Alphard replied easily. Of all the family members he had met here, he felt closest to Sirius. True, that could come with having lived in the same house as him in addition to being disowned under similar circumstances in his future, but it seemed to Alphard that he had the most in common with his oldest nephew. Alphard had always thought his sister would be there for him, as she always was, and to think that that would change in the future still broke his heart. "I hope so too." he finally added with a nod and a small smile, the strain behind it easily masked. He could still recall the thrill of Walburga saying she wouldn't and, in fact, did not outright reject him. While it was not complete acceptance, it was something. More than he had ever had before.
"I would say you clearly do not know my family, but you're close with Sirius so you must. They feel that those who do not meet their expectations have little to offer them. It is just the way it works." he paused, biting his tongue to keep from saying more. Alphard could go on and on about his family, but he really didn't want to. What was the point? "People should not hide, but sometimes in doing so they end up dead." Alphard replied with a frown, "Which may be cowardly of me, but the law is the law regardless of how unjust it is. I know it is not the same here. I've seen that it is not the same here. People are far more open than they are back home which is wonderful, truly. But it will take a while for me to adjust. An entire life spent watching my every word and move-" Alphard paused before shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. I'm sorry. I'm glad you found a family in your friends. I'm glad my nephew was one of them. Sirius is very dear to me. To know he had such a strong support system when those who should have always loved and accepted him turned their backs, it makes me feel better." Alphard reached a hand up to briefly squeeze Remus' own on his shoulder. "Thank you, Remus. Trust works both ways. It is nice to have someone I can be myself with."