AN: Enjoy!

June 1985

Darcy lagged behind her guardians as they walked through the castle. She was looking around in awe of the place. It was so big, and so pretty.

"Darcy, come on", Remus said. He and Sirius stopped to give her a chance to catch up, which she did. He took her hand so she couldn't fall behind again.

"It's really cool, huh?", Sirius said. "You're going to love it when you start school."

"How long till I get to come?", Darcy asked.

"About six years, kiddo."

"That's a long time", she said dejectedly.

"You're that eager to leave us, hm?", Remus chuckled. He bent down and picked her up, settling her on his hip. "You're not growing up that fast, we won't let you." He tapped her nose gently.

Darcy giggled and laid her head on his shoulder.

"Are you getting sleepy?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Is that why your eyes are closed?"

"They aren't", Darcy argued through a yawn.

"That sounds suspiciously like a yawn", Sirius laughed. "You can take your nap when we get home, we shouldn't be here too long."

"Don't wanna nap", she mumbled in a grumpy tone.

"Hey", Remus said in a quiet but firm voice. "We are not going to argue or throw tantrums right now. You promised me you'd be good while we're here."

"M'sorry", Darcy said softly.

"It's okay, sweetheart. Just be the big girl we know you are, okay?"

"Mkay."

While they had this exchange, Snape happened to walk by. He sneered at the idea of Lupin and Black disciplining a child.

"Hello, Severus", Remus greeted him.

"What are you two doing here?", Snape asked.

"Sorry, we didn't realize we had to ask your permission to come", Sirius shot back. "If you must know, we're here to speak to Dumbledore."

"And you had to bring the child with you?"

"Yes, we did."

Darcy was looking at the man with wide eyes. He didn't seem very nice, and Sirius really didn't like him. She began sucking her thumb, which was one of her tells that she was very nervous.

Remus gently pulled her hand away from her mouth and squeezed it. "Anyway, Severus, we really must be going. Albus is waiting for us."

Snape walked away without acknowledging his words.

"He's not nice", Darcy announced, making her guardians chuckle as they continued to the headmaster's office.

Once they arrived, Remus set Darcy on the floor and instructed her to color quietly with the book and crayons they brought for her. She laid down on the floor and did just that.

Dumbledore smiled down at the little girl. "She's growing quickly."

"Her healer said she's almost back on track", Sirius nodded. "Still a bit small for her age."

"I'm sure she'll catch up to where she needs to be in no time", Dumbledore mused.

"What did you need to talk to us about, sir?", Remus asked, shooting a smile at Darcy.

"I'm sure you two have heard what happened to the Longbottoms?"

They had. Neville and his grandmother had been cornered in public by reporters, which had drawn a bigger crowd of people around them, and things had nearly turned violent.

Dumbledore continued when they nodded. "I know you two would do anything to protect Darcy, but I think it would be helpful to be a bit more careful when you take her places."

"We have been getting some odd looks lately", Sirius remarked. "I don't understand why she would be targeted, though. She's not the one who defeated him."

Darcy looked up from her coloring book, frowning slightly. She wanted to know what they were talking about, but she was too shy to ask right then.

"There are people who believe she is partly to blame for quite a few Death Eaters being arrested", Dumbledore explained. "It is preposterous, I know, but they are out there nonetheless."

Darcy stood up and leaned against the side of Remus' chair.

"Remus?", she whispered.

"Yes, cub?", he asked quietly.

"What are you talking about?"

Remus shared a glance with Albus and Sirius.

"We'll talk about it when we get home, okay? I promise." He braced himself. Darcy's tantrums were unpredictable at best, and it was impossible to know what would set her off. To his relief, she simply nodded and went back to coloring. He sighed quietly, briefly wondering how, exactly, they were going to explain this to her.

The three men talked for a little while longer until saying goodbye, after which Sirius immediately lifted his goddaughter into his arms, holding her a bit tighter than usual. They wanted to protect her from prying eyes as long as they could, and they always thought they had at least until she started Hogwarts…

Darcy quickly dozed off against his shoulder. Once they got home and Sirius deposited her in her room, he asked the question that had been burning in his mind.

"What are we going to tell her?"

"I have no idea", Remus sighed. "I don't think we should explain what happened to James and Lily yet, she's too young. Maybe we can just say that there are bad people around and we need to be careful?"

"That might work", Sirius nodded. "What if she chooses now to get comfortable asking questions?"

"Then we wing it."

"Fair enough."

About an hour later, the two of them were in the sitting room when Darcy wandered in. She immediately walked over to the couch and climbed up to sit next to Sirius. She always liked to cuddle with one of them when she woke up.

"Did you have a good nap?", Sirius asked as he pulled her into his lap.

"Mhm", Darcy replied as she stretched.

"Good."

"We need to talk about something, Darcy", Remus said, deciding to get it over with. She looked up at him and he nearly chuckled–the expression on her face was one of her trying to figure out if she was in trouble or not.

"Remember how you asked me what we were talking about with Professor Dumbledore?"

Darcy nodded.

"Well", Sirius took over. "He was telling us that there are some bad people out there, and we need to be careful when we go places."

"Are they gonna hurt us?", Darcy asked worriedly.

"No, they aren't, because we're going to be so careful and safe that they won't have the chance."

"And that means", Remus added. "That when we go out in public, one of us will carry you or you have to be holding one of our hands. We don't want you getting lost, especially right now. We're not going to throw fits about that, okay?"

Darcy had recently got it in her head that she was too big for her guardians to have to hold her hand or carry her places. Recognizing the stern look on his face, she nodded.

"That's our girl", Sirius smiled. "You were so good today, love."

Darcy smiled proudly back at him and he kissed the tip of her nose, making her giggle. She yawned widely and stretched her arms above her head, quickly pulling them back down when her godfather tried to tickle her.

"Don't!", Darcy giggled.

"I'm not doing anything", Sirius teased as he poked at her side.

"Stop tickling me!"

"Oh, that?" Sirius began tickling her all over, smirking at her peels of laughter.

"Remus!", Darcy said through giggles.

"Yes, cub?", he asked innocently.

"Help!"

"I'm sorry, love. I don't think I can take Sirius in a fight over you."

Sirius zeroed in on the most sensitive part of Darcy's stomach and she squealed. Finally he stopped and she immediately hopped off his lap and scrambled into Remus' arms as she caught her breath.

"I won't let him get you, sweetheart", he said dramatically, holding her tightly. "But that doesn't mean I won't!" Remus began tickling her already abused sides.

"Stop!", Darcy whined. He did, and kissed her cheek.

"Sorry, cub, I couldn't resist", he chuckled.

Darcy pouted up at him. "My tummy hurts."

"It's just because you were laughing so hard. I think that's the best way to get a stomachache, personally."

"Can I have a hug, love?", Sirius asked. He frowned when Darcy shook her head. "I swear on my honor that I won't tickle you anymore. Today."

"Go on", Remus prompted her. She jumped to the floor and wrapped her arms around her godfather's neck.

"Awe. I love you, ladybug."

"Love you too."

Sirius released her and saw a mischievous look on his best friend's face. "Moony?"

"Hm?"

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're plotting something."

"Me?", Remus scoffed. "Plotting? What do you take me for, Padfoot?"

Sirius looked unconvinced, and his fears were realised when Remus pulled out his wand.

"Darcy, can you come over here, please?"

She did. "Watch this, cub. Rictusempra!"

Sirius fell backwards on the couch, laughing madly as he was attacked by invisible hands.

"Okay...Moony...stop!"

Remus took the hex off. "There, now you two are even."

Sirius sat up. "I'm so getting you back for that, Remus."

"Good luck with that, Pads."

Darcy was giggling to herself at their exchange. She couldn't believe how lucky she was, to have two guardians that were so funny.

AN: Ah, we love a good dose of fluff. See you next time, stay safe!