(A/N: I apologize for all spelling and grammar errors, I don't have a beta-reader yet.)
A scream cut the air. Minerva felt herself being jolted from her fitful sleep. Harry, she thought immediately. However, when she looked over to his crib (transfigured the night before) she saw that he was sound asleep. She felt a smile tug at her lips watching him. Bundled in blankets, he looked like a little angel. His arms were wrapped around a small stuffed doe, and a stag laid beside his head.
"For James and Lily" Sirius had whispered. Minerva had been unable to respond, for the lump that formed in her throat. Sirius had placed both animals beside Harry and both adults smiled when he repulsed them close.
Smiling at the memory, Minerva let her eyes close again. Perhaps she had dreamed the scream. But no, she wasn't dreaming, there it was again. Sirius, she thought frantically.
Racing down the hall, Minerva threw open Sirius' door, expecting to see a gruesome sight. All she saw was Sirius. Laying on his bed, covers tangled around his body. She could see, even in the semi-darkness, that his face was contorted in anguish. Heart racing, Minerva rushed to his side.
"Sirius," she called softly. In answer, the man cried out again. "Sirius!" Her voice was louder this time, her hand coming to his shoulder. She shook it gently, hoping he would wake up. It didn't and he continued to let out heart-wrenching noises. After calling him a few more times, an idea occurred to her.
"somnus quietam," she murmured. Instantly, Sirius relaxed. His face smoothed and his breathing evened. Sitting back, Minerva let out a soft breath. She'd been so worried. Knowing she wouldn't be going back to sleep with all the thoughts in her head, she decided to sit by Sirius awhile. Make sure he didn't have another nightmare.
She remembered when she first met Sirius. More than a decade ago, when he had been only a boy. The first of his name to be sorted anywhere but in Slytherin. He had been so brave and kind and, a pain in her side. She had loved him none the less. When he was sorted into her house, she took him under her wing, caring for him like no other had. They had bonded over their lack of family (by death or cruelty, it didn't matter. Neither of them had real family). Becoming fast friends with James and then Remus, the three wrought so much mischief throughout Hogwarts, in the process he gave her more than a few grey hairs. The boys grew and became more clever but some things didn't change. She and Sirius stayed close, she considered him a son.
Realizing she had been sitting on the man's bed, she stood up. She would try to sleep a little before Harry woke up. Turning away, she crossed the room on soundless feet.
"Kitty?" Minerva's head snapped around. Sirius was staring at her, eyes bleary with sleep, confusion etched on his face. Minerva cursed herself. She shouldn't have stayed so long. Sirius would find it word to wake up and see his old teacher sitting on his bed. Who wouldn't?
"You were having a nightmare," she explained, embarrassment evident in her tone. Taking the few remaining steps to the door, she glanced back. Her eyes locked onto grey, a torrent of emotions passing between them. Her instincts screamed at her to go to him., tell him that everything would be alright. She didn't listen. "Try to get some more sleep," she told him instead turning away. Only stopping when she heard him call her name.
"Thank you," he sounded choked up. Not replying, Minerva came to his side and took his hand in hers.
"A nightmare is only frightening if we give them that power." A laugh bubbled from Sirius. She had said that phrase countless times to him as a child when he had bad dreams.
He'd wake up in his dormitory afraid and disoriented. Then, much to her chagrin, he would sneak through the corridors to seek her comfort. She never minded, but she hated him being out in the halls at night.
"Thank you, Kitty-Min," he said again. "Thank you for always being here when I'm afraid." He seemed so much like the little boy she had once known, that Minerva couldn't help placing a small kiss on his forehead.
"You never need to thank me, Black. No matter how much of a pain you are, I'll always be here when you need me." With that, she left the room, a sleepy Sirius in her wake.
XXXXXXX
Later that morning, Minerva watched as Sirius tried—bless him, he really tried—to feed a rambunctious Harry Potter.
"Oi! Harry, the food goes IN your mouth!"
"Would you like help?" Minerva had to fight her grin. Seeing him struggle to feed Harry was hilarious. Funniest thing she'd seen that month.
"No," Sirius exclaimed. "Harry, no!"
SPLAT!
A burst of Harry's accidental magic sent the bowl of food sailing across the kitchen and into a wall. Sirius let out a groan, pulling out his wand.
"And this is why I'm never having kids of my own." He gestured around the room. There was food every where. For the life of her, Minerva couldn't understand how a little bowl of food could cause so much mess. Still, when Harry's adorable giggle reached her ears, she couldn't be annoyed.
"Oh, that's utter rubbish and you know it," she scolded, she was almost sure Sirius would one day settle down and have kids.
"No, Kitty," he countered, "I'm not joking. If my kids are anything like me, the won't be standing for long." He smirked then, pride glinting in his grey eyes. Minerva sighed deeply, rolling her eyes. He had a point. Hogwarts was barely standing when he and his group left. She still found remnants of some of their more notorious pranks some three years later.
"I'll drink to that," she muttered wryly. She then waved her wand and the kitchen was back to it's former clean state.
"What was that?" Sirius questioned, mockingly.
"I said," she looked over at him, "I'll drink to that. When you have children, they will bring the world crashing down with all the mischief they cause."
"You wound me, Professor." Placing his hand dramatically over his heart, Sirius let his head fall back. "My heart cannot take anymore," he wept.
"Stop this foolishness and eat," she snapped good natured humor in her voice. Sirius oblidged, tucking into his own food. Minerva turned to gave Harry, who had watched the little exchange happily.
"Now, it's time to feed young Mr. Potter."
"Bet you can't," Sirius challenged. Arcing a brow, Minerva looked at him.
"Don't test me, Black," she warmed, "we both know I love a good wager. Especially one I know I can win."
"I know," Sirius told her, "you're on. Feed the kid without making a mess and I'll give you one favor." He stuck out his hand.
"And if you win?" Asked Minerva, ever suspicious.
"You'll just have to wait and see," he wiggles his fingersrs.
"Fine," she shook his hand firmly. Sirius sat back and crossed his arms. "Let's see then."
Conjuring another bowl of baby food, Minerva plunged in the spoon.
"Alright Harry," she cooed sweetly, "open up!" Harry sat, not opening his mouth. "Come on," she pushed the spoon closer to his face, he grimaced.
Minerva could feel his magic, pulsing in the air. If She didn't do something soon, he'd make a mess of this bowl too. She would loose her bet to Sirius Black, being in debt to him was not something she wanted. Ever.
Whilst trying to come up with a plan, Minerva flicked her wand. Harry's eyes got big when he saw little figures floating around his head. He poked out his finger and one popped. She saw his delighted expression and had an idea.
"Ready to eat, Harry?" She asked, ever innocent. He scrunched up His nose as she brought the spoon toward him again. Worth a shot, she thought, inwardly shrugging.
"Ha! Ha! Ole Minnie's about to loose!" Taunted Sirius, watching her failed attempts. She eyed him before enacting her plan.
XXXXXXX
Sirius watched, dumbfounded, as Harry opened his mouth and let Minerva feed him. Cunning bugger, he thought mutinously. It's a wonder she wasn't placed in Slytherin. He told him this and she glared.
"10 points from Gryffindor," she told him automatically, forgetting that they were no longer in school. Sirius laughed.
"Your punishments are no longer valid, Kitty. I can do as I please with no repercussions. I am invincible!" He felt liberated until Minerva pointed her wand at him. SHIT!! "sorry, sorry," he quickly put up his hands in surrender.
"Damn right," she flashed her teeth before going back to feed Harry. He wondered how she came up with her little idea. Enchanting the spoon to fly like a broomstick and then into his mouth. Bloody brilliant, that woman.
When Harry was done, Minerva looked over at him.
"I won!" Her grin was positively wicked. He couldn't help but be afraid. And Sirius Black was not afraid of many people. He could only guess what she had in store for him.
TBC...
Thoughts?
–DulciMor