Prologue:

James Potter, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were sitting at a table in the Three Broomsticks. It was James' stag night, and the marauders were having a night out that they would never forget.

Suddenly, James spotted someone from the other side of the pub. He nudged Sirius.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"Check out that girl sitting over there," James said. "merlin's balls, I think she's a veela!"

"She's beautiful," Sirius said, his eyes glazing over as he stared at the girl.

"Padfoot, you look like you're in love." Said Remus, who was watching Sirius, looking mildly amused.

"Shut up Moony," growled Sirius, looking mildly embarrassed.

"Padfoot, you should go talk to her." James teased.

Sirius shook his head as if to clear it, stood up and said, "right-o boys, i'm off to charm this very attractive young lady. Wish me luck!"

James, Peter and Remus watched Sirius as he walked over to the girl, sat down at her table and started chatting animatedly with her.

"Who's up for a small wager?" Asked Peter, looking highly amused.

"You're on," said Remus. "ten sickles he's going to muck up and get a drink thrown in his face."

"I'll take that bet." Said James, who had seen numerous drinks thrown in Sirius' face from several different girls.

"I don't know," said Peter uncertainly. "he looks like he's going pretty well so far. A galleon they'll kiss!"

"Wormtail, you're going down!" Said James.

Remus, James and Peter dug around in their money bags and set the sickles and galleons on the table, then resumed watching Sirius and the mysterious girl.

As they were watching, Sirius and the girl got up and started walking towards them, Sirius swaggering slightly with a smug grin on his face. The marauders watched as Sirius leaned in towards the girl and whispered in her ear. The girl smiled at Sirius, turned around and headed towards the stairs to the rooms on the floor above.

Sirius sauntered over to the marauders. "Well lads, I've just convinced the prettiest girl in the pub to spend the night with me so I bid you all a fond farewell!" Sirius imitated pulling a top hat off his head and bowed to them, then turned around and followed the girl up the stairs. The three remaining marauders stared after him with their mouths slightly open, looking dazed.

Remus was the first to recover. "What just happened?" He asked, stirring James and Peter from their stupor.

"Well Moony my friend, I do believe Padfoot got himself a date," said James. "what say you, Wormtail, how about we go and enjoy the rest of the night and head over to the hogs head?"

So James, Peter and Remus left the three broomsticks, all still marveling at Sirius' antics.

9 months later

Sirius black was late for work.

He had overslept, which was not an uncommon occurrence. He was in the middle of getting dressed when he heard a knock on the door. He hurried down the stairs; still half dressed and opened the door to find...

No one.

He looked around. There was nobody to be seen, no sign that anybody was about.

A sudden cry got his attention. There, on his doorstep sat a basket. Sirius leant down to inspect it, pulling his wand out cautiously. Inside the basket, wrapped up in a warm blanket was a baby.

Sirius gasped in shock. Picking up the basket and dashing inside, he pointed his wand at the fireplace, lighting a fire instantly. He put the basket down, threw some floor powder into the fire, and stuck his head in and yelled "Alastor Moody, auror office, ministry of magic."

Sirius was suddenly looking into the head aurors' office.

"What is it black?" Asked mad-eyelooking up from his desk with an irritated look on his face.

"Sir, I can't come in today, there's a, uh, a family emergency that's come up." Sirius said quickly, in a hurry to get back home.

Moody raised a grizzled eyebrow.

"Honestly sir, I really can't come in. I swear I'll make up the time." Sirius pleaded

"Fine," moody growled shortly, clearly annoyed. "but I expect you back here tomorrow. Do not be late!"

Sirius pulled his head back out of the fireplace and breathed a sigh of relief. old Mad-eye was not a man to cross.

Turning back to the basket he had left on his kitchen table, Sirius approached it carefully. Looking down at the baby, Sirius noticed an envelope sticking out of the blanket. He opened it apprehensively.

Sirius Black,

You remember that night we spent in the three broomsticks? Well, there is a result of that.

This is our daughter. She was born on the tenth of June, and is 6 weeks old. Because she is half veela, half human, it is illegal for me to raise her, as I am a magical creature and you're a pureblood wizard. You must. It breaks my heart to do this but she must never know of my identity. It would not be safe for her and, in this life I want the very best for her. Please tell her that her mother loves her very much and I wish that things were different.

Take care of her,

Annette

Sirius looked at the baby girl, hardly daring to believe that she was his. He picked her up, and she opened her eyes. If there was any doubt that she was Sirius' daughter that doubt vanished when he looked into her eyes. They were the exact shade of Sirius' own, a pearsing grey.

"Well, I guess you're stuck with me then," Sirius said. "I think I'll name you Marianna Lilly Black."