Thanks to DracoMalfoy1980, Warblers4Life, Sapphire Addict, jn.v13, Vessa8 and HughsoSexy for their nice reviews. Don't worry, I'm not stressing over updates. I do, however, tend to work best under pressure for some reason. I only update when I like what I've written, though I always seem to have a few tiny mistakes. Do forgive me for those, I edit the story myself and editing your own work is not easy. I do have limited time to write before classes begin and I will have to go on a hiatus once they do.

This chapter is mostly from Severus's POV. He will be included with his views more as the story goes along. I really wanted to emphasize Lily's views in the beginning and all she would have to deal with if she had escaped.

Chapter 4: Pot Calls the Kettle Black

Severus was awoken to a loud whishing sound. He sat up quickly and saw Dumbledore coming out of the fireplace. Attached to Dumbledore's arm, with great animosity on his face, was the last person he ever wanted to see in his home: Sirius Black.

"Morning, Severus. I take it Lily took your bed for the night." Dumbledore spoke with a smile.

"I offered it, yes." He said, eyeing Black with utter loathing. Black glared at him with the same contempt.

"I know it's a lot to ask, Severus, but I need you make sure Sirius doesn't leave your home until I give the all clear. We are searching for Pettigrew as of late and Sirius here is intent on killing him. I'd like to keep Pettigrew alive."

"Why? I don't get you, Dumbledore! The monster sold James, Lily and Harry to Voldemort! He deserves nothing less than death!" Severus had never seen Black such a mess before. His temper was uncontrolled and he looked a bit mad. "He helped kill James!" Black pushed his hands through his hair; gripping it with such strength that Severus thought he might pull it all off. That would be a rather humorous sight. Black looked like he was about to collapse in a nervous breakdown. This was entertaining. It would have been even more so if the situation wasn't as terrible as it was.

"Sirius, please, calm yourself. I know what he did, but killing him won't solve anything. He needs to be alive. He'll be sent to Azkaban. The dementors can have him."

"You can't find him!" Black yelled wildly. "He killed them all! He disappeared!"

"I know what he did and we will find him."

"No! He's a rat! All you could find was his goddamn finger!"

"Ok, can I be filled in at some point? What happened to Pettigrew?" Severus asked, growing irritated by the nonsense talk and not being clued in.

"Oh, shut it, Snivellus! It's none of your concern!" Severus glared daggers at Sirius. Sirius glared right back.

"None of my concern, Black? You are standing here, yelling in my living room and Lily is upstairs. Don't tell me it's none of my concern. I'm involved!"

"You are a Death Eater! Of course you are involved! You are involved with that maniac!"

"Was a Death Eater, Black. He was one. He's not anymore." Dumbledore said calmly. "Pettigrew disappeared. Sirius here tried to confront him and Peter took his wand and let it explode behind him down a road. About a dozen muggles were killed in the outburst. Afterwards, he vanished and all anyone could find was his finger. We have several aurors on the hunt for him as we speak. When we find him, he will be put on trial and sent to Azkaban. I have no misgivings on that fact."

"What about the Dark Lord?"

"Voldemort has vanished for now, but I doubt he is far. No word from him on his failure to capture the boy, I presume?"

"Nothing yet, but that's fine with me. The consequences won't be pretty. He will be quite angry."

"Of that I have no doubt. I trust you to tell me what he is planning next and if he has any idea where Harry is hiding. He will be after Harry. He won't give up."

"You have my word. When he calls, I will let you know."

"I don't believe him and don't trust him. I'm not staying in Snivellus's house! I will not be with someone who is in You-Know-Who's good graces." Sirius interrupted the conversation.

"He's helping us, Sirius and you are staying here. It will be safe. I can't have you becoming a murderer."

"The bastard may be in rat form!" Sirius shrieked out

"You really have gone off the deep end, Black." Severus said, looking at Black as though he'd lost his marbles.

He laughed wildly. "No, he's a rat. Pettigrew is a rat, an animagus. His animagus form is a rat." Dumbledore looked shocked at that news.

"A rat animagus? How on earth did he become an animagus?" Black looked guilty.

"Well, we, us, Pettigrew, Potter and myself that is, we all became animagi. We did it to help Lupin during his-" He looked at Severus as if he didn't want to say something with him there. "-change."

"I already know Lupin's a werewolf, Black." Severus said nonchalantly. Black looked irritated to Severus's pleasure. Severus sneered at this knowledge.

"What is your animigus and what was James?" Dumbledore asked Sirius, ignoring the strife.

"Potter was a stag. I was a dog. Lupin was more controlled with us around as animals. We made sure no one got near the shack or anywhere close to Remus." Severus clinched his fists as he recalled what Black had done in their fifth year. The stupid prank he pulled could have nearly killed him.

"Really, Black? I recall differently." Sirius turned to Severus and gave a sneer. Severus glared at Sirius.

"Severus?"

"Yes, sir?"

"Do not kill or put Sirius in the hospital. Same goes for you, Sirius. Promise me that."

Severus and Sirius looked at each other with complete abhorrence. "Fine. I won't put Black in the hospital . And I won't kill him. Promise."

"Sirius?"

"Oh, fine. I won't harm him. I promise."

"What's going on down here?" The three men turned to see Lily coming into the room.

"Lily, how was your night?" Dumbledore asked, ignoring the men.

"It was fine, considering."

"I'm glad to hear it. Black is staying for the day or until we catch Pettigrew. I must be off now. You all have a splendid day." He turned and disappeared.

"Lily." Sirius said. "Where's Harry?" He sounded almost panicked.

"Upstairs asleep."

"I'm so glad you and Harry are alright. I saw James when I got to the house and figured you were gone too, all the rubble. It was everywhere. Dumbledore arrived and said you and Harry were okay. He said you were safe." Tears fell out of Sirius's eyes. This was shocking to Severus. He'd never seen Sirius so out of it nor had he ever seen him in tears. He figured Black didn't have those emotions in him. "I'm so sorry, Lily. I never should have suggested Pettigrew."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's Pettigrew's blame alone. Don't feel guilty for something you had no control over. He fooled everyone." Black nodded.

"I'm sorry you had to be stuck here with Snivellus." Severus looked daggers at Black. Lily rolled her eyes.

"Sirius, don't call him that. He's been a fine host. He offered harry and I his bed. I would have happily taken the coach, but he insisted."

"Yes and it's probably the only time he's ever had a girl in his bed." Sirius mocked.

"Do you want me to take back the promise I wouldn't put you in the hospital?" Severus said, glowering at Black. Sirius took out his wand. Severus did the same.

"Can't handle the truth, Snivellus?" At that, Severus muttered a hex at Sirius, knocking him off his feet.

"You already broke your promise. I told Dumbledore we couldn't trust you."

"I did not break my promise, Black. I promised not to kill you or put you in the hospital. I did not promise I wouldn't hex you." Black threw a jinx at Severus, who blocked it and it knocked back. Sirius blocked it and it evaporated.

"Enough!" Lily shouted. "You are both adults. Do try and be civil." Suddenly there was a cry from upstairs. "Harry's up. I'll get him and we can go into the kitchen and have some breakfast."She started up the stairs. "And put those wands away before someone gets hurt!" They both put their wands away.

Severus started down the hall to the kitchen.

"I don't know why James had to marry someone like my mother." Sirius mumbled. Severus heard.

"Now, Black, I highly doubt Potter would approve of you comparing his wife to your mother." He'd met Mrs. Black once. She was a rather unsavory woman. While Severus's gut still wrung at the thought of Lily marrying Potter, he couldn't resist making a snarky comeback. "It's quite an insult to Lily."

Sirius scowled at Severus, but Severus ignored him and started a pot of coffee. Neither spoke, even after Lily came back down with Harry. She turned one of his seats into a high chair and put Harry in it.

"Would you like some help with breakfast, Severus?" She asked him.

"No, I was just fixing some hot cereal. I hope that's alright."

"It sounds great and Harry can eat it himself." She looked at Harry. "Do you have some fruit? Maybe a banana?"

"Yes, over by the bread basket." She got up and took a banana and used her wand to slice it for Harry. He took the bites eagerly as the adults all sat down for breakfast.

"Thanks for the food, Snivellus. But next time wear a frilly pink apron. It would be much more entertaining." Severus glared daggers at Sirius. Sirius paid him no need and continued. "Oh, and you need to be barefoot and we can charm you to look pregnant. A woman's place, eh?" Sirius laughed at his own joke. At that moment, Lily took The Daily Prophet, rolled it up and smacked Sirius hard upside the head with it to Severus's satisfaction.

"Ow! Hey!" She glowered at Sirius.

"Woman's place my arse, Black."

"Well, weren't you barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen a year ago?" She smacked him again. "Stop that!" All of a sudden, Black was hit with some of oatmeal. "What the-?" He looked at Severus, who threw his hands up, claiming innocence. Harry giggled and bounced a little in his seat before using his spoon as a catapult once more at Black, hitting his nose.

"Harry No!" Lily exclaimed, rushing over to Harry. Harry attempted to fling another spoonful of oatmeal, but Lily stopped him. "No, Harry."

"No!" He said back. "Hit man."

Severus smirked. "You know, Lily. I like your kid already. Getting even with Black. He has potential. Even if he is Potter spawn."

"You say that like it's a bad thing, Snivellus. James was a great guy." Severus was ready to give a comeback, but the look on Black's face stopped him in his tracks. Sirius had just spoken of James Potter in the past tense and it clearly pained him. He rethought his words.

"I disagree, Black. Let's just hope that for the world's sake, Harry takes after his mother."

"He's the spitting image of James. He looks exactly like him."

"Looks aren't everything, Black. Let's hope his personality isn't similar to Potter's." Severus turned to Harry. The boy did look like a pint-size James Potter. There was no denying he was James's kid. Severus felt a sick chill down his shine at the thought of another James Potter in the world and turned back to his breakfast to forget about it.

At that moment, Harry turned to Severus. Severus looked up, sensing someone watching him. He spotted the child scrutinizing him with intent interest. Severus slowly met Harry's stare. Their eyes met with intensity and they locked upon the other's gazes.