Sirius Black did not like waking up in the middle of the night. In fact Sirius Black did not like waking up at all. If he could have it his way he would stay asleep forever, waking only to eat, but Sirius didn't have it his way so he was unfortunately woken up in the middle of the night a lot.
Ever since Harry had arrived at Grimmauld Place no one could go the whole night without waking. His screams pierced the silence of the night like a razor through silk and every single occupant had been woken. The first night had come as a bit of a shock but Ron seemed to know what to do and so everyone had filed back to bed. People had been a lot more irritable since Harry had arrived but no one dared to complain, no matter how exhausted they were. Harry had always been apologetic and embarrassed but everyone pretended to not have heard him. Sirius hated the screams. The sounds of terror coming from his godson made his heart clench and his stomach drop, he was the only one Ron let into the room when Harry was screaming. Everyone else was barred.
Tonight had been no different, half an hour ago the entire household had shot up to the sound of terrified screams and sobs, Sirius was no different. He heard Ron's reassuring voice telling Harry it was all okay, it was just a nightmare. He heard Harry shakily reply that he was fine and ten minutes later everyone relaxed at the sound of snoring (probably Ron). Sirius had relaxed again and slipped easily out of consciousness.
The new dream was a pleasant one. He was sitting on the sofa with Harry a few days after his first birthday. Little Harry was giggling and gurgling as James made multi coloured bubbles come out of his wand, Lily was on the phone to Petunia about something and every time her sister talked she rolled her eyes and pulled a face which Harry found hysterical. He was cuddling the one year old around the waist and bouncing him when the image started fading. Sirius could feel the haze of consciousness bombarding his dream world and he didn't like it. He groggily opened his eyes and saw a small figure in the doorway with a mop of messy hair sticking up more than usual.
"J-Harry?" he whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I had a nightmare and I was wondering if, um, if I could um stay here." He whispered, looking intently at the floor. Sirius' heart clenched at how young his godson looked. He was so small, Sirius hadn't noticed it much before but he was tiny and standing there in the doorway in his too large pyjamas made him look about twelve. Sirius pulled up a corner of the duvet and Harry slipped in. He snuggled into Sirius's chest and Sirius instinctively wrapped his arms around him. To his alarm Harry started shaking and a pool of water gathered on Sirius's shirt. He held his godson tighter, rubbing circles on his bony back. Harry looked up at him with tear filled eyes.
"You won't leave me, will you?" he whispered, he sounded so young, like a little child needing love. Sirius held Harry tighter.
"Of course not. I love you Harry." Sirius whispered into his godson's messy hair. He didn't like waking up in the middle of the night, but sometimes it was worth it.