Chapter 9

Everyone gathered around the large oak table. Albus Dumbledore sat at the head of the table as he spoke with his calm clear voice. Granting complete silence over everyone else in the room.

"And so I find it reason to create this order, we must take a stand against Voldemort. Otherwise, we will have already lost. I know I ask a lot of you, but we must fight together." Dumbledore finished and Sirius let out a cheer.

"Too right, we can't let Voldemort destroy this world, killing muggles and half bloods will never be the way forward" Sirius stated, speaking against everything his family stood for, but he wasn't one of them, not any more.

"Thank you Sirius" Dumbledore acknowledged to Sirius. "So, I know declare that the people sat around this table are to be the first members of the Order of the Phoenix" He nodded and sat down "So, to business"

Over the past year and a half, there had been an increase in deaths, of muggles and wizards of any non pure blood heritage, and then the wizard announced himself. Lord Voldemort, dark and dangerous. As well as powerful, yet Dumbledore showed no fear of the man.

Sirius was sat beside Sofia, it had been a year since they got engaged, but they had yet to get married. Being so busy with the fight against Voldemort. Looking across the table, Sirius saw his best friend and wife, now very heavily pregnant, ready to give birth to a baby boy any day now.

Once the meeting was over, Sirius sat outside in the moonlight, gazing up at the stars. Feeling arms wrap around his neck, he looked behind him and smiled as Sofia held Sirius from behind.

"What's wrong Sirius?" Sofia asked, concerned about him.

"Just thinking" Sirius replied quietly. "It's Remus, something...I don't know, something doesn't seem right with him." Sofia turned and sat next to Sirius now.

"What do you mean? You think he has turned to the other side?" Sofia questioned.

"Maybe" Sirius replied.

"Oh don't be silly, Remus would never" Sofia quickly cut in.

"Mmm...something isn't right, I don't trust him any more." Sirius muttered.

"Then talk to him, if you think something is going on, then you need to talk to him" Sofia assured him. "Come on, time to go home" Holding her hand out to him as she stood up.

Sirius reached up and took her hand, in the blink of an eye they apparated back to there home.

For the past 3 years, they had been living in the South of the UK, a quaint little cottage looking over the sea, on the driveway sat one of Sirius' most prized possessions. His motorbike, not like any other bike however. Sirius had enchanted this bike with the ability to fly.

"Come on Sirius, I will take your mind off of Remus Lupin" Sofia guided Sirius into the house and locked the door behind them.

The following day, the sun having only just risen. Sirius and Sofia lay in bed together. Sofia mumbled as a loud tapping noise woke her. Moving her hair from her face. She turned to see where the noise was coming from. Spotting a large tawny owl sat on the window tapping it's beak against the glass.

Untangling herself from Sirius' arms, she climbed out of the bed. Pulling on her blue fluffy dressing gown, she opened the window. The owl flying inside and dropped the letter on the dressing table. Sofia picked it up, opening it and saw a short sentence in scruffy handwriting, clearly written in a hurry. Gasping, Sofia shouted.

"Sirius! Sirius wake up!" She shouted, pulling clothes from her cabinet. "Sirius!" Sofia jumped onto Sirius now and shook his awake, he was always a heavy sleeper. "Dammit Sirius!"

Sirius grumbled, slowly turning onto his back and opened his eyes "What?" he questioned sleepily.

"Lily's gone into labour!" Sofia shouted, tugging on a t-shirt.

"What!" Sirius suddenly shouted and he sprang out of the bed. "She has just gone into labour, James sent a letter now, they are at St Mungo's, come on, get dressed." Sofia, now clothes, threw some boxers and trousers to Sirius, having to move fast, not wanting to miss the birth.

Apparating to St Mungos, they both ran through the hospital to the maternity ward. Seeing James pacing the corridor.

"James!" Sofia called out to him and James turned, seeing the couple running towards him.

"Where have you been! Nearly time" James said.

"Well get in there, don't leave Lily to do it on her own" Sofia said, pushing him into the room, smiling as she saw Lily inside, but she stayed in the corridor with Sirius. Taking hold of Sirius hand and waited. No one knew how long this would take.

An hour later, Sofia still sat outside the delivery room, Sirius walking towards her holding 2 cups, having gone to get them a coffee, needing it after the sudden wake up call.

Just as Sirius handed the cup to Sofia, the door to the delivery room opened. Turning around, they saw a happy but tired James. A wide grin on his face as he walked over to James and hugged him tightly.

"A healthy perfect boy" James laughed. Sirius grinned, hugging James tight and lifting him from his feet. Coming away Sirius saw tears running down James' cheeks.

"Aw Prongs, come on lets go see that son of yours" Sirius said clapping him on the back and walked inside, Sofia walking behind, seeing Lily on the bed holding a tiny bundle in her arms. Although tired, Lily still looked radiant. James going to one side, Sofia moving to her other side at the bed.

"Oh Lily" Sofia whispered, giving her a gentle hug and looked to the baby "He's beautiful" She said. Sirius smiled, gazing down at the baby boy. James gently took the baby boy in his arms.

"Meet Harry James Potter" James smiled, letting Sirius take Harry into his arms, who was very careful in holding him. "Harry, meet your godparents" James smiled, not having told Sirius or Sofia yet. Both quickly looking to James and Lily

"What?!" Sirius and Sofia said in unison, shock coming over them.

"We couldn't think of two better people to have as Harry's godparents" Lily spoke up now and Sofia smiled.

"Guys, I'm honoured" Sofia said, hugging Lily again and moved over to James, hugging him also, never having expected this.

Later on in the day, once Lily and Harry were checked over, they were all able to go home. Sirius and Sofia had stayed to keep them company and to gush over baby Harry. Sirius adored the young lad already. He was beautiful, a miniature James, but Sofia quickly noted that he had Lily's eyes.

Helping to get them home, Lily settled Harry into his cot, the new parents watching him sleep. Sofia stood beside Sirius, arm around his waist.

"Come on, time we left them to settle" Sofia smiled, wanting to leave James and Lily to have time alone in there new family.

"But..." Sirius protested.

"We will come back and see them, let's go, they need there rest, and so do we" Sofia guided him out of the house. Walking down Godrics Hollow before apparating back home.

A few months later, Sirius, James and Lily were sat with Dumbledore. Dumbledore had just told them about the Prophecy, much to Lily's shock and worry over her son.

"What can we do Albus, I can't let Harry get hurt." James said leaning forwards on his chair, a hand clutching Lily's. It was the middle of October 1981, Voldemort was at the height of his power. The war was raging. But the Order of the Phoenix battled on.

"There is something we can do" Albus spoke slow and calmly, eyes directly on Lily and James. "The Fidelius Charm"

"Is that really necessary?" Sirius piped up, knowing what the charm involved.

"It is, and I would gladly offer myself as Secret-Keeper" Dumbledore spoke.

"If" James hesitated. "If we were to use the Fidelius Charm, Harry would be safe, Lily would be safe?" James questioned, only concerned for there safety.

"Yes, the Fidelius Charm is a very complex spell. The information or location of a witch or wizard is concealed inside the soul of another, a Secret-Keeper. Once this charm is done, the location of such secret will be invisible, unplottable and soundproof. Unless the Secret-Keeper was to reveal the information, the hidden location could never be found, no matter how hard one was to look." Dumbledore explained. James, Lily and Sirius listening closely.

"If then, this is necessary, I want to use Sirius" James stated and Sirius turned to his best friend. "I want to keep it with my best friend" Sirius smiled to James' words, clapping him on the back, proud he could be trusted.

"Take some time to think through this, but please, be swift. Voldemort's fury grows ever stronger" Dumbledore said and left the room.

After a few moments, the trio followed, apparating back to the house.

Lily quickly went to check on Harry, who was still fast asleep in his cot.

"I don't think you should have me as Secret-Keeper" Sirius said as he walked into the living room of his best friends house.

"Why not, I can think of no one better" James claimed.

"That's why you shouldn't. He'll know, Voldemort will guess that you will use me as the Secret-Keeper." Sirius stated.

"So, what, we should use someone else?" James asked as he saw Lily walk into the living room and sit beside James on the sofa, looking to Sirius as he paced in front of them both.

"Yes" Sirius nodded. "Like...Peter, he's...well let's face it, you wouldn't go to him with something like this. Voldemort would never think you would use Peter."

"So, you want to bluff Voldemort, think we have used you, as well you of course are the obvious choice for Secret-Keeper, but instead use Peter" Lily repeated, wanting to understand. Sirius nodded to Lily.

"I'm not sure, what...what about Remus?" Lily asked

"No" Sirius spoke hastily "Use Peter, I trust him"

James looked to Lily, "I think it is a good idea, Voldemort will go after Sirius, he won't think to go for Peter"

Lily looked uncertain. "If Voldemort was to go after Sirius, would he go after Sofia?" She questioned, looking to Sirius.

"Don't worry about Sofe, I will keep her safe" Sirius reassured her.

"You are getting married in three weeks, what if something happens?" Lily was concerned.

"Lily" Sirius walked to her, crouching down in front of her and took hold of Lily's hands. "Do not worry for me, Sofia, or Peter. We will do anything and everything we can to keep you, James and Harry safe. No matter what happens, we do it for you. It doesn't matter about the wedding, your lives are more important to use" Sirius explained and Lily wrapped her arms tightly around his neck in an embrace.

"Thank you" Lily whispered tearfully. James squeesing his best friends shoulder in gratitude.

"We need to call Peter, get this done" Sirius said as he stood up straight.

It was way past midnight when Sirius pushed open the door of his home. The house was dark, par a table lamp in the living room. Sirius saw Sofia on the sofa, covered in a blanket, legs tucked underneath her. She was fast asleep, having waited for Sirius to return.

Sirius watched Sofia, so at peace, afraid of nothing. In her dreams where nothing could harm her. Slowly, stepping around the coffee table. Leaning forwards he places hi hand on Sofia's cheek.

Sofia mumbled, slowly opening her eyes and looking to Sirius sleepily.

"Sirius?" Sofia sat up straight, seeing Sirius, full of worry and concern in front of her. "Sirius what's wrong?" Sofia asked when Sirius did not answer her.

Reaching forwards, he pulled Sofia against his chest.

"I love you so much" Sirius croaked, tears rising and Sofia quickly pulled away from him.

"Don't leave me" Sofia whispered, thinking Sirius was going to break up with her.

"What?! No, Sofia, I love you. But I need to keep you safe. You have to get away, away from the way, from all the fighting" Sirius held her hands tightly, afraid he would never feel her touch again.

"Sirius, what are you talking about?" Sofia questioned him.

"I...I can't, you just have to get away, away from anyone." Sirius pleaded.

Sofia shot to her feet and moved to the window,

"No, no Sirius, I'm not going anywhere unless you tell me what is going on" Sofia insisted.

"Sofe, I can't" Sirius cried, still sat on the coffee table looking up to her.

"Is it to do with the Potter's?" Sofia asked and Sirius looked away from her. "Sirius, please tell me what's going on, if I have to go away, you need to tell me why"

Sirius looked to his hands, thinking everything through in his head. He trusted Sofia with his life, with everything, but did that give him the right to tell her about the prophecy. Sofia was his life, but James was his best friend.

Standing, Sirius moved to Sofia.

"I'm sorry Sofia" Sirius took her hands but she pulled away from home.

"Sorry...after everything we have been though. I know, I know James is your best friend, he comes first. I just thought, I just thought that perhaps I had earnt some honesty from you." Sofia whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Sofia" Sirius whispered "Please, don't be like this" he begged.

"No, you want me to leave, fine, I will go into hiding, be...safe" Sofia walked out of the room and ran up the stairs to the bedroom.

"Wait, Sofe!" Sirius ran after her.

"This is what you want Sirius, me gone, safe and sound where no one can get me" Sofia cried, grabbing a bag from her closet and threw clothes inside, tears streaming.

"You have to go Sofia, I don't want you to get hurt" Sirius stood by the door, watching her toss her clothes around.

"I'm a big girl Sirius, I can look after myself" Sofia cried.

"I know you can, but, this isn't just about us, it is about James, and Lily and little Harry, I have to protect them." Sirius said

"But what about you, who will protect you Sirius" Sofia quickly cut in, ceasing throwing her clothes in the bag, everything becoming too much for her. "I won't be there to help you"

Sirius rushed forwards and took Sofia into his arms, sobbing into his chest.

"Shh" Sirius cradled her, stroking her hair. "I will be okay, you know me Sofe, tough as anything"

A few days later, Sofia stood at the end of the path to the house, a bag in her hand. She had been putting off leaving, and so had Sirius, but the time had come when she had to go.

"I promise you, I will write when I can" Sirius whispered, stroking her cheek.

"I know, just promise me you won't get hurt, promise me you will come back Sirius" Sofia begged him, but Sirius just gave her a warm smile, he could never promise that in a war.

"I love you" Sirius whispered and hugged Sofia. He didn't know where she would be going into hiding, no one did. Sirius had thought it best that way, she would be safer.

Out of the hug, but still in his arms, Sofia leaned up and kissed him.

"I love you" Sirius returned and taking a deep breath, she stepped back. Never taking her eyes from Sirius she apparated away. Not knowing that that would be the last time she would see him for a long time.