Author's Notes: After watching Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix several times, this idea for a fluffy one-shot between Sirius and Harry came to me. Takes place before Harry leaves for Hogwarts, and before the attack on Mr. Weasley.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. All characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.

Before It All

A Harry Potter Fanfic by Sarah

1/9/08

Harry and Sirius were sitting at the kitchen table of number twelve, Grimmauld Place. Around them sat a number of other people, yet they did not seem to notice. Harry and Sirius were in their own little world, each deep in thought about one thing or another.

"Would you like to go somewhere else?" Harry asked Sirius. "Maybe then we can spend some time together."

Sirius jumped; he had forgotten Harry was there. "Yes, I'd like that."

Up one flight of stairs they went, then up another, until they came to a closed door. Harry looked at Sirius questioningly, but did not say a word as Sirius opened the door. They entered the room and Sirius cast a locking spell on the door. As they sat on the bed, Harry felt Sirius' arm reach around his shoulders. The two were quiet for about five minutes before Harry did something quite unexpected: he began to cry.

"Harry, are you all right?" Sirius asked. "Why are you crying?"

But Harry could not speak. He launched himself at Sirius, throwing his arms around him and burying his face in Sirius' sweater. Sirius did not know what to do, because he had never seen Harry act this way. He pulled away from Harry a little, but Harry was firm. He would not let Sirius escape.

"Please, Harry," Sirius pleaded. "Tell me what is wrong so I can help you."

Harry pulled away from Sirius. "I keep dreaming of the night Cedric got murdered. What is worse, I keep blaming myself for it. I told him to take the Cup. If I'd just taken it myself, he would still be alive."

"Oh, Harry," said Sirius. "You just made a mistake, that's all."

"A mistake that cost someone his life," said Harry.

"True," Sirius agreed. "But look on the bright side. After your mistake, you did the right thing. You told Dumbledore that You-Know-Who is back so he could reunite the Order."

"That's true," Harry answered.

"So don't be crying. You just leave everything to the Order. We'll make sure You-Know-Who gets what he deserves," Sirius said. "Okay?"

Harry nodded. He felt much better now that he had talked to Sirius. Maybe now his nightmares would go away.

Finish