I do not own Harry Potter.

Sam

"Sam, you can't go on like this," Lily says calmly. "You're getting to be as bad as Remus."

"I don't see you bothering him," I say testily. Lily frowns and picks up her six month old child, placing him on her hip.

"You know I would if I could," she says quietly. I sigh knowing fully well she's right, but not willing to admit it. "Sirius will be over in a few hours." I ignore her.

"Have you thought anymore about going back to work yourself?" she asks. I shake my head.

"What's the point?" I ask. "I got myself captured and Kaelin killed. I'm a terrible Auror."

"Well, moping around isn't going to bring her back. I need to go to the store while James isn't here. He's got me almost under house arrest. Can you watch Harry?" she asks. "And I do mean watch."

I nod and reach up for the little boy who squirms in his mother's arms and squeals excitedly. Practically jumping into my arms, he giggles. I almost smile—almost. Harry is like the little light in the dark world we live in.

"You know you're welcome to stay here as long as you like, but have you thought about going home?" Lily asks. I quickly shake my head. I can't go back. Not now, not ever. The whole apartment reminds me of Kaelin. "All right. Well I shouldn't be too long."

The door clicks shut, and I hear a faint pop as Lily apparates leaving Harry and I staring at each other. "I'm hungry," I announce to the little boy. "You want a snack?" I carry him into the kitchen and seat him in his high chair. He immediately reaches for my wand, which I've left laying on the counter. I grab it remembering the last time he got ahold of my wand when I left it unattended. Lily's still mad about the stains in the carpet.

Opening the fridge, I sigh when I realize it's empty. It's been so hard for Lily to get to the store what with James being so overprotective. I can't say I blame him. After Kaelin, we've all been extremely careful outside. I find a box of crackers in the dusty cupboard and pull it out. Harry's eyes widen at his favorite snack, and he reaches for the box. I raise my eyebrows. One of the many things my lovely fiancée has taught our godson. How to grab for things.

Despite myself, I smiled and handed him a cracker. He frowned as if expecting me to give him the whole box, but finally chewed on his snack happily. I fix some hot chocolate, my favorite snack, and sit at the table beside him. I watch as he finishes the cracker and whimpers, begging for more.

Handing him another, I say, "You're lucky you know. You have the best parents in the whole world." Then I add, "Plus the most amazing godparents." Harry stares at me blankly. I find jealousy seeping into my mind; Harry is so innocent. He doesn't understand what it's like to lose someone close to you.

"Sam?" I jump at the sound of Sirius's voice. Lily said he wouldn't be back for hours! Leaving the child content with his crackers, I dash into the living room and jump into his arms.

He tries to kiss me, but I turn away. "Harry," I say nodding at the little boy who is now watching us with curiosity. A cracker is in his hand, halfway to his mouth. Sirius shrugs and pulls me closer, pressing his lips to mine. He smiles under the kiss probably thinking about what Lily would say if she were here and saw us snogging in front of her baby.

One hand presses against my back pulling me closer, while the other strokes my hair. I break off when he tries to deepen the kiss unable to keep from laughing. "What are you doing here so early?" I ask. "You're supposed to be working." I clean Harry up and lift him from his highchair. His little head nuzzles my neck, and I can tell he's getting tired.

"Can't I come see my wife every once and a while?" he asks grinning. I frown.

"We're not married yet," I say. He shrugs.

"Why not? We should be," he says pouting. I sigh.

"Sirius, you and I both know a wedding isn't practical right now. Especially given everything that's going on," I say quietly.

"Maybe that's the best reason to have it," he says. "Because of everything that's going on." I shake my head.

"We'll talk about this later," I say. "Why did you really come?"

He sighs and runs a hand through his shaggy black hair. Honestly, he gets more like James every day. "It's about Remus," he says. I almost drop Harry.

"What happened? I she all right?" I ask worriedly. I haven't seen Remus since the funeral, but from what Sirius has told me, he's not doing too well.

"I think you should go see him," he says. "He's not handling Kaelin's death well at all, and I know you aren't either." I sink into one of the soft, fluffy chairs in the living room.

"I'm doing fine," I say stubbornly. He frowns.

"Sammi, I know you better than that," he says. "Just go see him. It'll be good for the both of you." I sigh.

"All right," I say. "I'll go."

"Now?"

"I can't!" I say. "I'm watching Harry!"

"I'll watch him," Sirius says. I stare at him.

"Have you forgotten what happened the last time you watched him?" I say. Sirius gives me his best innocent look.

"It was only a little explosion," he says.

"You blew up the entire kitchen," I say. "Making brownies." He shrugs.

"Please?" he begs. I sigh.

"Fine, but when Lily comes home, tell her this was your idea," I say. He nods and takes the sleepy child out of my arms.

"He's half asleep!" he comments. "He'll be an angel!"

"It's not him I'm worried about," I say grabbing my wand and a jacket. "Is Remus at home?" Sirius shakes his head.

"Tree," he says simply, and I nod. I know what he means. The place holds something big for us all. "Be careful."

"Always am," I say smiling weakly at him. I open the door and apparate.

Sirius

Even six months later, it's still hard to let Sam leave my sight. I saw what happened to her last time and everyday I blame myself for not being able to stop it. I hate to let her go out alone, but this isn't something I can come for. Remus is in pretty bad shape. He's stopped eating, or taking any care of himself. I'm afraid he might die from depression.

Sam pretends to be fine around me, but lily tells me what she's like when I'm gone. Maybe, if she talks to Remus, they'll both come to their senses.

I haven't even told her what I learned at work today. The secret trusted with only Dumbledore's closest Aurors. Things around her are going to change a lot. I'm surprised James hasn't come knocking down the door yet looking for Lily. Unless he doesn't know yet.

I look down at my godson. He's asleep, and he looks so innocent. The poor kid has no idea of what's to come. No idea that the world's most powerful wizard is out to kill him.